This is a unique film, it is worthy of note due to Leni Riefenstahl's powerful ability to use imagery to make a documentary / propaganda film. Interesting in terms of how a director uses the imagery to portray the values and feeling of the time.
I have heard the film likened to a party political broadcast. However such broadcasts usually endeavour to set out the parties ideology and plans. In 'Triumph des Willens', despite its two hour length, there is very little of either. What Leni Riefenstahl portrays is the beginning of the personality cult. Frequent cut away's, Hitler always has the last word, the greatest applause. Aspects such as continuity are given little attention as the focus in on the imagery.
Many techniques used by Leni Riefenstahl in this film became the standard for other later dictators in their propaganda films and are still used today.
The film documents the party rally the NSDAP (Nazi party) held in Nuremberg in 1934, having been in power for one year. It is also shortly after the 'night of the long knives' in which Hitler's henchmen consolidated their power by murdering opposition within their own ranks. It is therefore as much a bit of breast beating as propaganda, hence the title 'Triumph des Willens'.
If, in watching the film, you feel 'I've seen that before' then you probably have. A great many 'clips' have been taken from this film and used in other documentaries covering the period, giving testimony to the quality of Leni Riefenstahl's work.
A last note: Leni Riefenstahl's requests for royalties for public viewing of the film have always been refused, so she has earned little from it, despite it's infamy. The film is held by the Imperial War Museum and is considered War Booty.
I have heard the film likened to a party political broadcast. However such broadcasts usually endeavour to set out the parties ideology and plans. In 'Triumph des Willens', despite its two hour length, there is very little of either. What Leni Riefenstahl portrays is the beginning of the personality cult. Frequent cut away's, Hitler always has the last word, the greatest applause. Aspects such as continuity are given little attention as the focus in on the imagery.
Many techniques used by Leni Riefenstahl in this film became the standard for other later dictators in their propaganda films and are still used today.
The film documents the party rally the NSDAP (Nazi party) held in Nuremberg in 1934, having been in power for one year. It is also shortly after the 'night of the long knives' in which Hitler's henchmen consolidated their power by murdering opposition within their own ranks. It is therefore as much a bit of breast beating as propaganda, hence the title 'Triumph des Willens'.
If, in watching the film, you feel 'I've seen that before' then you probably have. A great many 'clips' have been taken from this film and used in other documentaries covering the period, giving testimony to the quality of Leni Riefenstahl's work.
A last note: Leni Riefenstahl's requests for royalties for public viewing of the film have always been refused, so she has earned little from it, despite it's infamy. The film is held by the Imperial War Museum and is considered War Booty.