Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #74561 in DVD
• Dimensions: .18 pounds

Customer Reviews

Mystical hymn to the achievement of power
The rather bland cover of Moonstone's dvd belies the human drama played out in black and white before the imaginative camera angles of director Leni Riefenstahl. Apart from the menu choice of 15 scenes, there are no special features. An interview with Leni Riefenstahl, who is still making films, would have been fascinating. Even a short historical note about the circumstances surrounding the 1934 Nuremberg rally, such as the tension surrounding the reception Hitler might receive following the purge of the SA shortly previous to the event, would have been helpful to the less academic. However, the quality of the recording is much better than the grainy versions often seen elsewhere. The subtitles are clear and the soundtrack crisp enough for the mono of the time. The film helpfully relies more for its effect on strong, memorable, imagery and heartfelt musical scores than extended speechmaking.
Riefenstahl's talent lies in the artful way the formality of Hitler's central role is immersed in a steadily unfolding drama where the emotional bond between Fuhrer, movement and people takes on an almost religious fervour. The NSDAP was clearly not about sober rationality and the finer points of party policy. This is politics on a monumental scale. In the odd scene the excitement appears hammed up for the cameras. But generally the alternating scenes of huge columns of amazingly disciplined party comrades with others of relaxed good humouredness between participants, serves to disarm those expecting nothing but hatchet faced stereotypes. Yet paradoxically this very feminine director does nothing the challenge the passive role ascribed to women.
Riefenstahl's film, advanced and innovative for its time, met Goebbel's criteria for good propaganda in letting the subject matter speak for itself rather than hijacking the audience's response with a heavy handed voice over. In this respect Moonstone's no frills presentation is true to the original concept.

Forget the 'devil's daughter' hyperbole,- watch the film.
"Evil, controversial, dangerous,- one of the most terrifying horror movies of all time."
Dear oh dear, I'm drowning in hyperbole. Doesn't anyone ever watch films in context any more?
This film is as evil as a home movie compilation of Joe Stalin as a toddler eating cream cakes and kicking a football. Evil it is not!
It is, however compelling and brilliantly shot. Iconic scenes from Triumph have found their way into Lord of the Rings , Star Wars and many other films.
It's an historical document from a time when the British and the American governments supported Hitler and the Nazis. They admired Hitler as a strong ruler who would get Germany back on its feet and act as a 'bulwark' against the 'evil' Bolsheviks.
Apart from its innovative brilliance, which was recognised by the film industry at the time, there is nothing 'evil' in this film.
It's only in hindsight that somehow people blamed Riefenstahl for producing a film that showed Hitler as a great leader and presented the Nazis as respectable politicians. In 1934 that was a reasonable position.
It's one of the cinematic tragedies of the post war period that Riefenstahl was prevented from making another film by gynophobic left wing political groups, who blamed Riefenstahl for the rise of Hitler and tried to lay the guilt of the 2nd world war and the concentration camps on her.
The future will judge her on her two major works, 'Triumph of the Will' and 'Olympia'. Both, in my opinion, works of genius that have not yet been surpassed.

Their Finest Hour
This is an incredible film documenting the Nuremburg rallies at their high point in 1934. The film documents the fine work that the new German state had accomplished in rebuilding the country in terms of its architecture, autobahns and infrastructure but also in the newly found pride in a once defeated and dejected people. There is a real sense of communion amongst those gathered together in the Zeppelin Wiese when they great their Fuehrer with arms outstretched and joyous smiles on their faces.
The opening of the film which shows Hitler descend from the clouds in a light airplane is truly breathtaking. The whole scale of the film is awe inspiring from beginning to end. It compares with the best of the Hollywood epics except this is a documentary snapshot of a moment in time captured for all eternity.
Riefenstahls film making and direction is outstanding. Nothing else in her repertoire comes close to this apart from Olympia[1936]. I heartilly endorse the film and would encourage anyone remotely interested in history or quality film making to buy it.