MovieChat Forums > Triumph des Willens (1935) Discussion > This isn't propaganda...

This isn't propaganda...

posted 16 years ago by jbooth19
25 replies | jump to latest

I don't know why people have to dismiss it as such just because they detest the Nazi regime. This was simply a look into the heart of Germany at that time, Hitler and the Nazis had brought life and joy after two decades of misery. The National Socialist party brought hope, and in case any of you forget it they delivered on most of their promises, they made Germany an economic and military powerhouse.

This movie showed how one man, and one party could change an entire nation. It was their will alone that brought Germany up from an economic quagmire, it was the triumph of the will of Hitler and the Nazi party. Also, I find it quite odd that in their most celebrated propaganda film Hitler and the Nazis make no mention of the Jews whatsoever.

This movie isn't propaganda, it's an inspiration. An inspiration that anyone can change the world they live in if they put their mind to it. I'm sure there will be movies made about Obama and what a glorious day it was when he won, it doesn't make it propaganda.

Even if Obama did turn out to be a maniac, you still have to appreciate what that moment meant to so many people in the USA. People need to look at this film with an open mind, and stop listening to the real propaganda they are "taught" in schools and in the media everyday.

[–] Col_Hessler 16 years ago

I congratulate you on your bravery for writing this.

But, you seem not to recall that Leni Riefenstahl was commissioned to do this by Hitler. It is propaganda, because it is slanted to tell one side of the story and make it's subject look glorious. Kind of like how Michael Moore operates.

Find 'em, chase 'em, sink 'em. -- Sam Dealey

[–] uglyredhill 16 years ago

Also, I find it quite odd that in their most celebrated propaganda film Hitler and the Nazis make no mention of the Jews whatsoever.

No, just undesirables and racial purity. Of course they had only got into power a year earlier.

[–] lubin-freddy 16 years ago

This movie isn't propaganda, it's an inspiration.

Yes, that's actually what's scary about the film, how people can be "inspired" in a such a manner so that they will be willing to be a willing part of one of the greatest crimes against humanity in history.

Hitler rose up from the gutter, his movement was always based on violence and intimidation, and even if this film was able to show how much he brought joy to the German people (non Jews, non leftists, non gays, etc.), anyone with half a mind should have seen what was coming.

But I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Local Hero 15 years ago

Yes, go back to your "tea parties" where people might think your link-Obama-to-Hitler sleight of hand clever.

[–] yipman_sifu 15 years ago

Aside from politics, this movie presents some of the best film shots to be ever produced on screen. Leni Riefenstahl was simply amazing; she inspired many directors with her film techniques in photography and direction. She shouldn't be judged for being a devoted "German" citizen. John Wayne was one of the most racist people in the show business, and in "my opinion" was not that great of an actor. He won an Oscar and became a screen legend in the AFI list!

"I told you to keep away from that radio. If that battery is dead it'll have company." Cody Jarrett

[–] adamsmo 15 years ago

What part of being a "devoted" German requires being BFFs with Hitler?

[–] yipman_sifu 15 years ago

http://www.pzg.biz/leni_and_hitler.gif

http://jurgenfauth.com/wp-content/uploads/triumph4.jpg

http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/images/Bild%20146-2004-0022%20copy .jpg

She was affiliated with NSDAP at that time, maybe she didn't like them "who cares?”. Her artistic views were situated before a lens for the love of her country, whether it was for the NSDAP or any other ruling body.

"I told you to keep away from that radio. If that battery is dead it'll have company." Cody Jarrett

[–] Triple-G 14 years ago

As this film was done with non-actors and in real time, it is more of a documentary then propaganda. What the Soviets did was propaganda. even what we did was propaganda--ex. raising the flag over Iwo Jima.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] yipman_sifu 14 years ago

Don't start assuming things Slim. Riefenstahl should be given more credit for her work, but people will start at some point bringing up this NSDAP affiliation issue as a pretext for not having the desire to appreciate her work. As to comparing racism in terms of severity, that is NOT the case in point (which you assumed it is!), but rather an issue I brought up to show how people are prone to biases in terms of judging things based on how it's labeled and portrayed. I gave the film the credit it deserved for its direction. The John Wayne issue was to show how some people would justify his "tiny!" racist views if they were as such based on patriotism. Well, I have to say that Riefenstahl work is more adept to the intellect mind than any of Wayne's westerns, yet you realize that the credit goes to where it shouldn’t.

“Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth.” Ludwig van Beethoven

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] yipman_sifu 14 years ago

A filmmaker's intellect rests upon his/her ability to direct films.

You keep bringing up ethics and morality (missing the main point of my previous post again!)

“Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth.” Ludwig van Beethoven

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Dejay 14 years ago

This movie isn't propaganda, it's an inspiration. An inspiration that anyone can change the world they live in if they put their mind to it.

That's the most stupid thing I've read in a while. You seem to admire Adolf Hitler for his ability to lure, threaten and dominate people into committing atrocities like genocide. It's despicable that's all. And it's always easier to bring people to do bad things then to bring them to do good things, lest become better persons.

This film is propaganda because it evokes the emotions of glory, grandeur and blind follow ship towards the racist and warmongering messages from the NSDAP.

[–] aldiboronti 14 years ago

Of course it's propaganda, but you have to admit it's bloody good propaganda, probably the greatest propaganda movie ever made. The devil always has all the best tunes.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] franzkabuki 14 years ago

I´m not really that sure about the "artistry" here - sure, the film hits all the "right" notes, but the question is, how hard were these notes to hit in the first place? A good 2/3 of the film consists of yelling and marching in masses, nothing really cinematographically extraordinary about it; it just operates as a blunt, monolithic force. Neither does it radiate such raw, inspired energy and insane momentum Eisenstein was able to generate through precise, innovative editing in Potyomkin.

But of course we got the OP to testify for Triumphs ultimate effectiveness, so it certainly did the trick (although here, too, the question as to how ´difficult´ it really is to convert the dumb, remains relevant).

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan