Featured Audience Ratings

• Spencer S

  
  Propaganda films of the first part of the twentieth century were usually not so explicit in their message. Many political messages were more often cloaked in storytelling. One of the more blatantly political and thoughtfully directed in propaganda films, "Triumph of the… More
  Propaganda films of the first part of the twentieth century were usually not so explicit in their message. Many political messages were more often cloaked in storytelling. One of the more blatantly political and thoughtfully directed in propaganda films, "Triumph of the Will" is artfully mastered and generated enough interest in the party to make them seem more a superpower and certainly a threat. Leni Riefenstahl, now infamous and left to live to speak on her work, supposedly was not aware of the anti-Semitism that was exhibited within the party or the proceeding steps of the Third Reich. The film itself is set at the 1934 Nazi Party Convention in Nuremberg. During the film Germany is shown as a free land full of healthy, rosy cheeked young people, adoring crowds to cheer at the Fuhrer's arrival, and long, uninterrupted speeches on the economy, how great their leader's policies are, and the new Germany, strong after its thrashing after World War One. Not included in the film are any mentions of anti-Semitism or the country's view of the rest of Europe, which is strange since it was an obvious point in many areas of the Nazi Party, and seem to be omitted on purpose. The film itself is beautifully shot, relying on a sharp cinematography to weave in and out of shots of the people involved. Every speech Hitler gives is passionate, angry, hopeful for the sake of his peoples, and every time they pan to the crowd or the other politicians, they are always intent on listening. As he passes by in his car the crowd is ecstatic, giving him flowers, children running in the streets unbidden. It's an uplifting view of the party, and the first instance of bold imagery, and using film techniques to envision the world in a way that it is obviously not. Though it drags, and becomes heavy-handed with all the political speeches and how obvious the lies are, it's still an amazing look into the evolution of documentary films and the charisma of a dictator.

• Chris W

  
  It drags at times, becoming a little bit boring, but other than that, Triumph of the Will is the greatest propaganda film ever made. The cinematography gives it an epic feel, the music compliments the film nicely, and, as a historical document, it is a compelling look into the power… More
  It drags at times, becoming a little bit boring, but other than that, Triumph of the Will is the greatest propaganda film ever made. The cinematography gives it an epic feel, the music compliments the film nicely, and, as a historical document, it is a compelling look into the power held by Adolf Hitler and his followers.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Both impressive and embarrasing propaganda piece. A colossal parade of madness.

• Michael G

  
  If you're watching this from a narrative standpoint you'll be bored to tears, but if you watch from a technical one it's fantastic.

• Jeremy S

  
  Winner of my Greatest Documentary. A Materpeice of Propaganda.

• Matthew Y

  
  What is there to say about Triumph of the Will. It is easily the greatest propaganda film of all time in every sense of the phrase. Some of the best cinematography work you will ever see in any piece Triumph was shot with 30 cameras and over 100 film crew personnel. It has no… More
  What is there to say about Triumph of the Will. It is easily the greatest propaganda film of all time in every sense of the phrase. Some of the best cinematography work you will ever see in any piece Triumph was shot with 30 cameras and over 100 film crew personnel. It has no narrative, no plot and very little dialog. Most often categorized it as a documentary. Triumph really stands as it's own original type of cinematic experience that transcends genre's and mediums. Actual footage of Hitler and actual footage of a real Nazi rally was pretty much the original reason I watched Triumph of the Will but I was drawn in by it's magnificent craftsmanship and powerful effectiveness even by today's standards. You watch Triumph the same reason you read Mein Kampf, artistic curiosity and perhaps even to get a more detailed and personal look at a man who has become the worlds most glorified villain of recent times. You do not watch it because you agree with what it represents. Of course there are those who will resent and loath the film because of the horror enacted by the Nazi's in WWII and will not watch it on principle. While I don't think politics should prevent someone from experiencing a piece of artwork, and judging it as such, I do understand the passion some people have about the subject and appreciate it. For those who are willing to watch Triumph as an artistic and technical marvel they will likely adore the powerful and emphatic piece of cinema art it is. Hail Hitler! No I'm kidding, seriously I am. Don't send me e-mails please.

• Edward S

  
  Anybody remotely interested in the craft of filmmaking is obligated to at least appreciate "Triumph des Willens" for being a brilliant textbook concocted by the very talented Riefenstahl. The opening scenes alone are perhaps some of the greatest in cinema; shots of the… More
  Anybody remotely interested in the craft of filmmaking is obligated to at least appreciate "Triumph des Willens" for being a brilliant textbook concocted by the very talented Riefenstahl. The opening scenes alone are perhaps some of the greatest in cinema; shots of the empyrean, cloudy skies from the view of a plane which transition to numerous aerial overhead shots of Nuremberg are still impressive and breathtaking by today's standards. As Hitler emerges from the plane to the wild crowds of his followers, Riefenstahl makes her point of him being some sort of celestial demigod with a potency and elegance that any filmmaker should strive for. The film sticks to its propagandist themes of a united Germany in support of the fascist regime. Granted, by the second half of the film, the many shots of Hitler and his co-leaders giving speeches at the Nuremberg rally do become gratuitous; the message of a united Germany is still stark but redundant, to a point when a surprising boredom almost sinks in at the march of the Stormtroopers throughout the city. Still, even as Rienfenstahl meanders, her creativity never diminishes; we are treated to a multifaceted array of shots in different lenses, all edited beautifully in the final product, to fully document the rally in an interesting, exaggerated fashion which sensationalizes the Nazi regime, its people, and its leaders. There's a scene that takes place at night which nearly appears to be expressionist or even noir in style, and some of the tracking shots and pans which utilize symmetrical perspective makes you wonder if there could be a Kubrick without "Triumph des Willens." "Triumph des Willens" is a fascinating time capsule, not only of a historical event signifying the rise of a terrifying movement in a war torn nation in desperate need of closure and unity but also as a landmark in film (I liked this better than both "Battleship Potemkin" and "Birth of a Nation." So bite me.) The film is epic, mesmerizing, rich, brilliant, and... perhaps regrettably, a piece of Nazi propaganda. Your move, Capra.

• Krystle C

  
  Powerful portrait of Adolf Hitler's early days... the imagery is hypnotic, and there are some amazing wide shots of the various rallies and meetings, although the parts at the end with the marches and stuff can be rather dull. A really good look at how Hitler became so popular,… More
  Powerful portrait of Adolf Hitler's early days... the imagery is hypnotic, and there are some amazing wide shots of the various rallies and meetings, although the parts at the end with the marches and stuff can be rather dull. A really good look at how Hitler became so popular, the editing and camera angles show an adoring populace, with some chilling views of the indoctrination of the young soldiers.

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