I just saw the greatest and worst documentary ever made.
It?s called ?Triumph of the Will,? a propaganda film commissioned by Hitler to showcase the 1934 Nazi Party Congress. Directed by a woman named Leni Riefenstahl, the film is unsurpassed for the sheer boldness of its vision and the almost mythological treatment
of its subject. That subject, however, just so happens to be the man considered by most of the modern world to be Satan incarnate.
Now, I say that with a bit of grain of salt, because I think it?s too easy to label Hitler as pure evil without considering the historical context from which he arose. He certainly committed atrocious, unconscionable acts, but he wasn?t the first to do so. In fact, he cites as [URL=http://www.nemasys.com/ghostwolf/Native/genocide.shtml]inspiration for his Final Solution[/URL] the U.S. and British colonial government?s extermination of Native Americans. That?s right, our own forefathers were the role model for Hitler. Who?s to say that 50 or 100 years from now, we won?t be judged just as harshly?
Anyway, back to the movie, there is no doubt that Riefenstahl achieves what she sets out to do: make the Nazis look damn good. From the initial narration we get a hint of the overtly religious tone permeating the film: ?16 years after the crucifixion of Germany?? The opening shot is of soaring, majestic clouds, a view from the cockpit of a plane. That plane is carrying der Fuehrer himself, and his arrival in Nuremberg is played like a god descending from Olympus. From there we get references to a divine trinity of sorts: Hitler is the Party, the Party is Germany, Germany is Hitler. There are allusions to resurrection and the belief that faithful followers will achieve (political) immortality. At one point Hitler even addresses the Nazi Youth Corps as ?flesh of my flesh, and blood of my blood.?
All the references to a Holy Order guiding the Party?s rise to power brings to mind the religious rhetoric of our own simian simpleton, whose minions seem to be taking [URL=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/military/jan-june02/rumsfeld_2-4.html]a couple of pointers[/URL] from Nazi military strategy.
All I can say is, I?m glad bush isn?t as rousing an orator as Hitler was. Then we?d really be in trouble.
For more information on the amazing Leni Riefenstahl, check out the extensively researched documentary "The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl," with interviews and excerpts from nearly all of her life?s works.
June 14, 2004
Top Critic
