For part of our study of World War 2, we will view selected clips from Triumph of the Will (1935). Controversial, it has been called one of the most important propaganda films of all time. After viewing clips (about the first 20 minutes, and then from 40:00-55:00, a segement that shows a rally of Hitler Youth), we will discuss the film in relation to Hitler's theories of propaganda. Also, from about 1:01-1:15 there is an important segment of a mass rally.
Finally, here is a site with important information about the filmmaker, Leni Riefenstahl.
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41 comments:
when we watched the film yesterday, i got a new picture of how hitler used these mass rallies to sway the crowd by the chant "Heil Hitler". It was interesting to see the faces of specific people in the crowd and their expression of hope and peace, but have no idea of the mass destuction and evil that Hitler is about to do.
connor period 1
The movie we watched was really sad because all the people who were hoping that Hitler would rebuild their country were completely blindsighted when he began the mass slaughter of Jews and other mentally unstable people. And the fact that Hitler would portray himself as Jesus by coming down from the heavens to save his people is horrible considering that he killed so many people that were counting of his rescue.
Jennifer p.1
This video was an effective use of propaganda. This movie made Hitler seem almost "divine." As discussed in class, this movie made many parallels to the Bible. For instance, At the begining of the film Hitler was seen descending from the clouds (flying in a plane)to his followers below. This movie did a good job portraying him as seemingly all-owerful and all-knowing. Seeing the huge masses of people at his rallies speaks volumes of his ability to speak, lead, and control his country. This video really did do a great job showing that post WWI Germany is back and ready to take on the rest of the world... again.
C.Lew
Period 3
this movie proves the power of effective propoganda. eventhough hitler's cause was not for the good of the world he portrayed it as a solution to their problems. he also is shown as a sort of divine figure with his many spiritual allusions
Brandon
it was really interesting to see the influence Hitler had on the germans. i always thought that Hitler just came in and took over and everyone just followed with out fighting back, but when i saw that people were just so passionate and they truly believed that he could create a good for the country. he was so smart and not only did he try to win over he adults but also the children. I believe that no one knew what he was trying to do until it was too late
Nicole p.1
Yesterday, when we watched the film of the mass rallies, I got a whole new perspective of the power that Hitler had over the people. The support that Hitler had was unbelievable.
Kendall Stiefel
I found Triumph of the Will to be an extremely well-crafted and effective peice of propoganda. The image that Hiter created for himself was powerful, and depicted him as a Messiah through the cinematography and Biblical allusions. The camera angles were selected very carefully and enhanced the nature of Hitler's supremacy. Through his eloquent speaking style, Hitler evokes emotions of nationalism and proves his status as a divine ruler of the people. I found the film to be very effective and stirring for the Nazi ideology. Its strength shows modern viewers how easily brainwashing occured and how quickly individuals could be swayed to the Nazi cause.
Rebecca Bres - Period 6
Yesterday during the movie my perspective towards Hitler was changed. I saw how me moved the mass rallies and showed his emotion towards older adults and children. Hitler's movie shows tremendous propaganda and shows the religous symbolism. Hitler is a well spoken orator and it was evident in the film
N.Ramsey
Triumph of the Will provides numerous references to religion through language and position. In the beginning, Adolf Hitler is descending from heaven and watching over his people. The statues that are shown on day one are of a boy holding two birds and that of a man holding a book. Perhaps these two statues represent the people of Germany: the farmer and the scholar, the child and the adult. This represents the idea that all are responsible for participating in their duty to their country. As the scene from the youth rally begins, the formation is very symmetrical, showing the intense organization and care to detail. Also, as the interaction between Hitler and the crowd unfolds, the loyalty of the crowd is reciprocated. Hitler calls them “My people” as they call him “My Fuehrer”. What is similar to all the rallies is the symmetry, the music, which helps evoke a mood, and the processions, as if in a church.
Sarah
period 7
Hitler knew exactly how to project himself and his regime. He made himself out to be a savior of Germany; he played on the people’s patriotism and their religion. He forced them to believe that his plan was the only way to help Germany. Through careful filming he showed widespread support and that his supporters were completely devoted to the Nazi Party. In his youth rally the only close ups of the boys that were there were of blonde boys. Also, at the rally most of the shots were of boys this is because Hitler was a fan of the traditional gender roles and he wanted to promote all of his ideals in his so called documentary. He showed that people of all ages and genders supported his and had pledged their allegiance to him. I thought this film was an example of how smart Hitler was and I can somewhat understand how Germany allowed him to come into power.
ellie rosenthal p6
Hilter's propaganda techniques were incredibly effective. The film, Triumph of the Will, shows how far his schemes go in order to project himself as a messiah type for the downtrodden people of Germany. With the opening scene of his descent from the clouds to the massive rallies which, with the clever use of camera angles, portray him as a larger than life leader amongst thousands of people, Hilter obviously constructed an image of himself that paints a picture of a wise and strong leader. Personally, the massive rallies and chants caused fear because of the magnitude of Hilter's illusion to the people of Germany and just how effective his propaganda was.
The propoganda techniques used in triumph of the will were incredilbe from the mass number of people shown to the parallels Hitler draws between him and Jesus. He starts as decenging from the heavens of the wings of an "eagle" and goes on to end his documentary with millions of people cheering him on at the mass rally. The movie showed how well Hitler had brainwashed the people of Germany into following him. It kind of scares me to think about how much power one man was able to accumulate through the use of propaganda. If Hitler was able to do it, who is to say that another is not capable of this total domination. Looking at this movie today shows me how important it is to think for everyone to think for themselves and not fall prey to the vicious propaganda.
Katie LeVrier P.6
The clips we watched today in class showed both Hitler's defining characteristics and his priorities for his new Germany. In the depictions of the mass rallies Hitler appears to be the ideal ruler, which many people believed for a while. He was very charismatic, making relatively vague speeches that promised much and fueled excitement about Germany's restoration. He seems personable while interacting with the crowd, but at the same time the youth rally shows his demand for intense structure. Before watching this film it was hard to imagine exactly why so many people could support Hitler and depend on him as their savior, but the propoganda explains it, which also shows the effectiveness of the manipulation of film.
(above) Lucy 6th p
As the first scene opened, we see Hitler flying above the clouds over German. Riefenstahl wanted to display Hitler as a leader sent from above. She tries to portray him in a Jesus-like manner with his ride through the streets and Biblical language. Also,Hitler's followers had a look of eternal joy in their eyes when they looked at Hitler. This film is complete propoganda because it attempts to show a corrupt nazi government in a positive way. Hitler wanted to get the German people on his side through the movie so that he could carry out his evil plans.
Leslie period 2
Adolf Hitler's depiction in Triumph of the Will was that of not only a leader but a savior. This film managed to show one of the most villainous leaders in history as the brave and goodhearted redeemer of a broken nation. Today, with the amount of information available to us and the ease at which we can get that information, such a film wouldn't be so effective. However I can only imagine how much this would sway the audience it was intended for in the time it was made.
-- Andy Malone --
Watching the segments from the movie allowed me to see why this film is an affective piece of propaganda and also controversial. At the beginning of the film it says this film was made by order form Hitler himself, who had alternative motives than those spoken of in the movie. Hitler used this film as leverage to gain a united Germany, then use the power gained to implement his alternative motives, that we now know of as the Holocaust. The film tries to embody the German population and their mutual feelings through the mass rallies, and this representation was used to sway more to the cause.
Drew Sekaly p.1
Triumph of Will is truly a piece of persuasive propaganda. The image of power and control the director creates portraying Hitler in front of the masses surely makes it one of the greatest propaganda films. The large number of people and all of the young boys at the youth rally amazed me at how well Hitler had been looked upon. When all the people were organized listening to Hitler speech portrayed a powerful image of Germany regaining strength. The Director created a Heroic image of Hitler for the German people.
Davison C. 6th
I enjoyed this film as it showed me how the Germans used propaganda to persuade their own people. I also thought it was interesting but smart how Hitler payed close attention to the youth of Germany. He talked about how they are the future and they will continue what Hitler has started. He convinces them by saying that they are alike and that they are all together. Also I liked how Hitler showed himself as relating to Jesus. This really showed me how the Germans used their propaganda to persuade their own country
Kevin Smith
The movie that we watched yesterday showed what the people thought of Hitler. As Mr. Sintiere said in class of how the director of the film was trying to show Hitler as coming from heaven like he was God. That idea didn't even come to mind when i was watching the movie so that was an interesting fact. The people loved Hitler. I was also surprised by the age groups that i saw at the rally. There were little children all the way to adults. The way in which Hitler used propaganda is shown by him really catching the peoples emotions and making them believe that what he thought was true.
Kirstyn~period 3
Triumph of the Will gave me a new perspective on Hitler by showing me the reason why people not only chose to follow him but also wanted to follow him. He was portrayed as the savior of Germany and as someone who "selflessly worked" for the good of the country. He was seen as the divine example for children to follow. Through the camera angels of the mass rallies, the powerful music and images, and the speeches themselves, this film was a successful source of propaganda by Hitler's standards of swaying people by making emotional connections.
Leah Wakefield
per 6
The film Triumph of the Will featured many different elements that made it the most effective propaganda movie of all time. From the camera angles which exposed the vast support of the Nazi party, to the depiction of Adolf Hitler as some kind of savior for the wounded German nation, this film showed why Germany was able to make such a quick rebound from World War I. Nationalism was a theme that the movie expressed as well as the film depicted various mass rallies in which Hitler gave a charge to the nation and to the crowd.
Harris 6
This movie showed the tremendous power that Hitler held over the people, not only through the propaganda the very movie was utilized for, but also by his mere presence. In watching the video and analyzing the expressions of everyone in the crowd, no one could have suspected what Hitler was capable of. He commanded the audience and drew stark biblical parallels to himself, painting an image of him as a savior of Germany. The mind of society was so easily malleable to Hitler's whims that unless we had the hindsight of today's age, we would have seen nothing more than a compelling and takented spokesman with motives to unite and benefit his nation.
E Boyd
Per.2
It was interesting to view things from a Nazi perspective. you can see how the movement really was like a cult where everyone strived to please one leader and attain one common goal. At the same time, it was very upsetting to see how all these people dedicated their lives to a cause they believed in, a cause that erupted into mass turmoil and destruction.
It was interesting to see how Hitler used his like of music as a way to persuade and motivate himself and the people at his mass rallies. Seeing how many people were at the rallies was rediculous! So many people wanted peace for Germany and they thought Hitler was the guy to give it to them.
Alex Period 1
Watching this film helped me get a better understanding of how Hitlers propoganda affected germany. I not only saw that he affected the older age group but also the younger crowd. Through his propoganda Hitler convinced many people that they were going to improve Germany. No one knew that they were all being deceived. Many poeple believed in hitlers power however it turned out Hitler fooled them all. Its crazy to see how one man and his propoganda could bring so many people together and tear the country down.
braeden p.3
I beleive the key component in Triumph of the Will's success and of the Nazi propaganda machine as a whole was the apparent monopoly on consent. Through their propaganda the Nazi party made it seem as if they had universal and indeed God given support. This strangle hold on discussion and dissent made their rise to power inevitable and their removal from within impossible.
Walker
I thought that Triumph of the Will was a very interesting piece of propaganda. It was very effective in the sense that Hitler portrays himself as a Jesus-like figure coming to Germany to save the people, just as Jesus came into the world. The documentary begins with Hitler’s descending from the clouds as Jesus will come back. Many other camera cuts and angles incredibly depicted Hitler as an all-mighty being, rallying up the crowds with just a few words and simple hand gestures. I can see where the German citizens would be easily swayed towards Hitler after watching even 10 minutes of the film. It hits all of the emotional points.
Jenna H. Period 2
Hitler knew exactly what he was doign when he became the chancelor of Germany. His ability to understand the human mind and how to make a person believe you completely were seen in his uses of propoganda. It was truely an art the way he pursueded the masses to belief what he said without giving them true substance to back their beliefs. Using this tactic among the youth proved to be extremely benificial. A child more readily accepts what someone tells them because their morals and beliefs are still developing. By brainwashing the youth of Germany to belief him, Hitler had put an incredibly large group of believers read to fight for him.
I witnessed a mastermind control the people of a large nation. To me this was not merely a horrible murderer poised to threaten the free world, but rather a brilliant human being that controlled the emotions, minds, and morals of an entire nation! This feat was brillinatly crafted. When listening to his speeches he oftened used words that had double meanings and phrases that make more sense when we look back at history. As Mr Sinitiere pointed out, Hitler commonly used metaphors to the bible not only soften the effect of the overall message, but also to show the fact that God was on their side in terms of morality. While some may see these mass propaganda films as sad and macabre, I admire this film as the epitome of an amazing accomplishment. Hitler was a brilliant man, a master propagandist, a persuasive orator, and arguable the greatest murderer of all time.
John Period 6
I have known that Nazi rallies were big but I did not realize that they were that big. Seeing this movie puts a new perspective on the Nazi mass rally. The only thing that I did not understand was why the Hitler Youth herald trumpets has SS banners on them. If they were not SS banners they at least had the SS rune on them. The Hitler Youth was not part of the SS so why would they have the SS rune? Was the rune also a symbol of the Hitler Youth as well as the SS?
Tyler Thomas
Period Two
This movie is the best way to illustrate the amazing power and influence that Hitler held over his people. I will never fully understand how it is possible to convince anyone how the mass murder of innocent people will bring restoration to a nation, and the fact that Hitler tried to portray himself as Christ is astounding, but also very clever. The movie shows how his propaganda was genius and horrific to those who watch it now. It is frightening to think that one man could influence that many people in such a terrible way.
Betsy p. 2
Triumph of the Will begins with the shadow of Hitler hovering over the city, as followers march towards him with anticipation of catching a glimpse of him. The faces of the children are astounding because they seem to view him like a savior. Hitler commanded attention from a crowd, he exudes an restorative persona. Through his Biblical references Hitler appeals to the emotions and moves the masses.
Mary Papa Period 2
Well, Triumph of the Wills, along with the other documentary on propaganda, revealed an intellectual aspect of Hitler's methods unbeknownst to me before. The carefully crafted film outlines the overwhelming nationalism and pride Hitler advocated to his followers and the amazing sense of unity elicited through rallies. The religious symbolism of Hitler's aerial descendance parallels Christ's descendance from heaven as a savior to the people. From the crowd's intent, proud expressions to the distinct camera angles carefully including Nazi symbols, Hitler cleverly exhibited the strength and joy of Germany under his control.
Amy P - 6th
I find it interesting to analyze the way Hitler manipulates film to promote his extreme pride for his country and to spread it among the people under his control. In doing this, Hitler exalts himself and his followers as a people created by God for a specific God-given purpose.
At the start of the film, the start of the Third Reich and Nazi Germany is mentioned and referred to as the rebirth of Germany in the midst of struggle and suffering due to its loss of Europe domination in the previous World War. Before the war, Germans regarded the twentieth century as an upcoming height in German superiority in Europe, but their devastating loss called for a rebuilding that Adolf Hitler guided with a fervid nationalism.
His nationalistic pride seems most apparent in this propaganda film with the display of the sites of Nuremberg for transitional scenes, the distinguishing music and folkish garb, and the interaction of the German people that seems germane to the idea of nationalistic brotherhood.
Taking his nationalism even further in this film, Hitler brandishes his various speeches at Nuremburg with the idea that “a people which does not hold with the purity of its race will perish,” and that the Third Reich will be the guarantor of victory and of peace for the Germany that holds firm under the guidance of the Fuhrer.
After viewing a propaganda film such as this, I cannot question why Germany did indeed hold firm under the nationalistic viewpoints of their Fuhrer even until his final ruin.
-Austin Price
Hitler uses mass rallies, as he discusses in his book Mein Kamf to unify the crowds of GErmany under him, forming a common belief. By doing this, they essentially unify Germany under Hitler. Hitler uses anti-semitism as a scapegoat technique to transfer all blames onto their common enemy the jews. To the GErmans after WWI, Hitler must have seemed like a saint. However they unwittinly support his plans that they do not realize will lead to horrible destruction and a second world war.
David
Period 1
This film gave me a new view of how everything happened in the time that Hitler came to power. It showed Hitler fighting for a country in need but with plans to conquer Europe, I believe this film really just shows the attitude that one had back then and is excellent for a point of view experience.
Ryan
Triumph of the Will I believe was a great historical moment captured of a highly influential figure. In inspiring a nation to rebuild after World War One, Hitler gives his insight to what areas (economically, socially, etc) of Germany he believes should be rebuilt while effectively inspiring the population. His tactics of mass rallies, certain diction, and displaying symbols effectively shows the genius behind capturing the nation he would later lead to destruction.
Iris Webre Period 6
Whe we watched Trimph of the Will, I learned more about what propoganda and mass rallies really are. At the mass rallies, there were so many people, and they all truly believed that Hitler was going to do amazing things for their country. In my opinion, it is sad to see all of the young children in the video who probably looked at hitler as a role model when he turned out to be a really bad person.
Mary Martin
period 3
I hate hate hate wars! When a war starts is like a World disaster. Recently started 2 wars. This is very sad, maybe the end the World is coming.. :(
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