The reason this film upsets us so much is because, no matter how we try to deny it, it works. Well. Riefenstahl's intent was to move the audience to react with positive emotion to the images and people depicted in it, and we do. If we allow ourselves to be completely unguarded, we find our spines tingling in time to the shining faces and blonde hair and lockstep masses of troops passing the camera to the tune of "The Koeniggraetzer March." If we aren't careful and view this film too objectively, the subject matter ceases to be repulsive.
We who are descendants of The Allies have a difficult time with the idea that the Germans were anything but willing participants in an evil movement. This film makes us rethink the image that the movement held up for itself and how easy it might be to buy it without the hindsight of history. Perhaps the Germans weren't so stupid...it might have just been a bad national purchase based on one hell of an infomercial.
Grade: A+.
Things to watch for: Hitler as Wotan; World's Scariest Youth Rally; Foot-Tappin' March Music
We who are descendants of The Allies have a difficult time with the idea that the Germans were anything but willing participants in an evil movement. This film makes us rethink the image that the movement held up for itself and how easy it might be to buy it without the hindsight of history. Perhaps the Germans weren't so stupid...it might have just been a bad national purchase based on one hell of an infomercial.
Grade: A+.
Things to watch for: Hitler as Wotan; World's Scariest Youth Rally; Foot-Tappin' March Music