Triumph of the Will
 | Directed by Leni Riefenstahl Starring: Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring, Max Amann, Martin Bormann, Walter Buch Synapse Video, 1934, DVD Customer Rating: 36 reviews Recommend |
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This documentary of the Sixth Nazi Party Congress at ironically enough Nuremberg is a frightening example of powerful film propaganda. It helped launch Hitler into power and its sweeping style was later used by American director Frank Capra for his war documentaries.System Requirements:Running Time 120 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 654930305294 Manufacturer No: SFD0052
Triumph of the Will is one of the most important films ever made. Not because it documents evil — more watchable examples are being made today. And not as a historical example of blind propaganda — those (much shorter) movies are merely laughable now. No, Riefenstahl's masterpiece — and it is a masterpiece, politics aside — combines the strengths of documentary and propaganda into a single, overwhelmingly powerful visual force.
Riefenstahl was hired by the Reich to create an eternal record of the 1934 rally at Nuremberg, and that's exactly what she does. You might not become a Nazi after watching her film, but you will understand too clearly how Germany fell under Hitler's spell. The early crowd scenes remind one of nothing so much as Beatles concert footage (if only their fans were so well behaved!).
Like the fascists it monumentalizes, Triumph of the Will overlooks its own weaknesses — at nearly two hours, the speeches tend to drone on, and the repeated visual motifs are a little over-hypnotic, especially for modern viewers. But the occasional iconic vista (banners lining the streets of Nuremberg, Hitler parting a sea of 200,000 party members standing at attention) will electrify anyone into wakefulness. — Grant Balfour
Triumph of the Will is one of the most important films ever made. Not because it documents evil — more watchable examples are being made today. And not as a historical example of blind propaganda — those (much shorter) movies are merely laughable now. No, Riefenstahl's masterpiece — and it is a masterpiece, politics aside — combines the strengths of documentary and propaganda into a single, overwhelmingly powerful visual force. Riefenstahl was hired by the Reich to create an eternal record of the 1934 rally at Nuremberg, and that's exactly what she does. You might not become a Nazi after watching her film, but you will understand too clearly how Germany fell under Hitler's spell. The early crowd scenes remind one of nothing so much as Beatles concert footage (if only their fans were so well behaved!). Like the fascists it monumentalizes, Triumph of the Will overlooks its own weaknesses — at nearly two hours, the speeches tend to drone on, and the repeated visual motifs are a little over-hypnotic, especially for modern viewers. But the occasional iconic vista (banners lining the streets of Nuremberg, Hitler parting a sea of 200,000 party members standing at attention) will electrify anyone into wakefulness. — Grant Balfour
Title: Triumph of the Will
Sales Rank: 7919 in DVD
Actor: Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring, Max Amann, Martin Bormann, Walter Buch
Director: Leni Riefenstahl
Studio: Synapse Video, 2006-03-28, Theatrical Release: 1934
Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, Original recording remastered, Special Edition, NTSC, Acpect Ratio 1.33:1
Languages: German (Original Language), English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), Italian (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region Code: 1
Running Time: 120 minutes
Item Dimensions: 0.25 pounds
Package Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.42 x 0.58 inches, 0.18 pounds
- Fair Propaganda Film
- I watched this film twice, and was amazed at the discipline imposed on the German people. It begins with Hitler flying in to a small airport, and follows a motorcade lined with cheering, adoring Germans, as Hitler is driven to his hotel. In scene after scene, we see Hitler reviewing field workers carrying shovels, Hitler's Youth Brigades, and torch light parades. The message… More reviews
- PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES!!
This is the infamous documentary produced by Leni Riefenstahl of the 1934 Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg, Germany. Working with an unlimited budget, she created the almost perfect propaganda film to promote the Nazi Party in Germany. Fascinating today, just for the historical interest, it has been the model over the decades for others wanting to understand the… More reviews
- Triumph of the Will
- This is one of the true masterpieces of propaganda and an outstanding example of cinematic manipulation. Leni Reifenstahl created a truly impressive record of the Nazi Party Congress in 1934 and preserved it for the world to watch for generations to come. It is fascinating to note, with the benefit of hindsight, how much is left unsaid but lurks menacingly below the surface. But what is said… More reviews
- Problematic Genius
- To begin with, merely discussing this film in open society, or among those conversant with film history and theory, often serves as the beginning of arguments rivalled only by mentioning Birth of a Nation. Attempting to review the film can only compound the problem. So, one must look at Riefenstahl's film in light of what it intends to accomplish, and how effective it is in doing so.… More reviews
- Good release at a reasonable price
- When I decided to purchase Triumph of the Will a few weeks ago, I saw that Amazon had two releases, this one and another that was much more costly. The descriptions weren't very helpful in distinguishing between the two releases.
I'm always leery of cheap releases of titles that are in the public domain, but I decided to take a chance… More reviews
