Nicolas

Sawicky Triumph of the Will Films, just like letters, paintings, and newspaper articles, can be considered

primary sources. All that is necessary is that the film is close to the period that is being studied. The Nazi propaganda film, Triumph of the Will is a great example of a film primary source. It was documentary; it used emerging technology to tell a story, and it convinced individuals to join the Nazi Party. Triumph of the Will is a Nazi propaganda film made by the famous German

director, Len Riefenstahl. It was released on March 28th, 1935 in Germany, being released right after the 1934 Nazi Party Congress in Nuremberg. Despite not being a die-hard Nazi party member, Leni Riefenstahl wrote, directed, and produced the film. The film stared the Nazi high command, including: Adolf Hitler, Hermann Goring, and Joseph Goebbels. Triumph of the will is both a Nazi propaganda film and a documentary. The

film was ordered by the Nazi high command as a way to document the 1934 Nazi Party Congress in Nuremberg. The film serves a duel purpose of recounting events and placing these events on a pedestal to the citizens of Germany. It is not exactly bending the truth, but highlighting the best parts of the Nazi Congress in Nuremberg. The intended audience for Triumph of the Will consisted of German citizens

who were not yet convinced that the Nazi party was the right party for Germany. The film allowed these skeptical citizens to see with their own two eyes, the great

power and unity that the Nazi party brought with them. They also did not have to witness these events first-hand, but instead could go to a local theater. The use of film also allowed for people of all ages to learn the power of the Nazi regime, including the illiterate citizens of Germany. The main point of Triumph of the Will is to inform its audience of what the

Nazi Party means to Germany. The film shows the huge military strength of the Nazi Party in a parade. The soldiers clean and well dressed, showing that they live a good life. Women are shown hanging from windows cheering on the men and show their love for Hitler. These strong visuals are complemented with inspiring speeches by the Nazi high command. Everywhere you look, you see smiling Germans and the Swastika. After a while, you begin to associate the two images with each other, something the Nazi high command was hoping for. The film was made so that the German citizens that were still unsure of the

Nazi Party and its ascension into power in German politics would see what the party was all about. It allowed for people who lived outside the cities to see the grand show of the Nazi party and see the unity that their regime brought to their beloved Germany. Even traditional German clothing and traditions are displayed in the film, so that the out-of-touch German farmer can see that their fellow farmers even associate with the new party. The film reveals a lot about German society in the 1930's. Until the rise of the Nazi regime, Germans were at a low point. The Treaty of Versailles completely demolished the once great country. The Nazi Party and its grand speeches and

parades signified the light at the end of the tunnel for many Germans, giving them hope that this new party would bring Germany back to greatness. Even though it was commissioned as a Nazi propaganda film, Triumph of the Will was also a documentary. The film showcased the Nuremburg rally in all its greatness. Viewers are able to see the how it was to be at the rally from multiple angles, giving you the best seat in the house. All the events surrounding the rally are also covered in all their visual beauty. Along with the visuals, you are able to hear the speeches from the German high command. These are the same speeches that railed millions of Germans to join the Nazi cause and eventually lead to the beginning of World War II. The technology that was used to film Triumph of the Will was very important in making it a success. Unlike most films of the time, Triumph of the Will had multiple angles to capture each event. This allowed for smooth transitions during an event. There was also the ability to use close-up and distance shots. The close-ups were used to show emotion and the distance shots were used to show the size of the events. Another cool technique to filming was the use of mobile cameras via a motor vehicle. This allowed the audience to seemingly drive past hundreds of onlookers from the perspective of Adolf Hitler. The impact of Len Riefenstahls Triumph of the Will is almost immeasurable. Riefenstahl was able to put together an amazing marketing tool for the Nazi party. In almost every shot of a normal citizen or child, you see that they are smiling. In many

cases those up-close shots are preceded with shots of the Swastika, in an elementary form of subliminal messaging. The Nazis then coupled with scenes like the armored cavalry moving in unison for the German high command. When you get to the Sea of flags scene you really begin to become acquainted with the Swastika and its symbolism for power and unity in Germany. The most powerful part of the film is Hitlers speech to the SA and SS men. At one point the all yell Hail in unison as Hitler looks onto the crowd of hundreds of thousands. These scenes not only affected the people of the time, but also people of the present. Many people overlook the terrible acts of murder and point out that the Nazi Party did a lot of good and created a great nation from the ashes of one that saw its people without work or hope. Triumph of the Will is much more than a propaganda film made in 1935. It was a historical documentary that provides a window into the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany. This primary source used visuals and speeches to convince the people of Germany that the Nazi Party was the answer to all of their troubles. Anyone who saw this film was subjected to images of happy Germans. These images were coupled with images of the Nazi Party, like the Swastika. Audiences were also exposed to amazing scenes of hundreds of thousands of Germans hoping to get a glance of their leader, Adolf Hitler. This use of propaganda was further exemplified with the use of emerging technologies in the film industry. With the help of film

experts and party officials, Triumph of the Will is still considered one of the most famous films ever made.