Art and Propaganda: The Triumph of the Will (Germany, 1935)

Triumph of the Will (1935) is an influential German propaganda film directed by Leni Riefenstahl. The movie chronicles the 1934 Nazi Party Congress in Nuremberg and is infamous for its glorification of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime. Through groundbreaking filmmaking techniques and grandiose visuals, the film powerfully conveys the regime’s political message while shaping Nazi mythology.

Despite its technical and artistic achievements, Triumph of the Will remains deeply controversial due to its propagandistic nature and historical context. It is often studied for its historical importance in the context of art and propaganda, as well as for its influence on the way aesthetics and visual media can be manipulated for political ends.

Historically, the film was produced during a time when Hitler had recently come to power (in 1933), and the Nazi regime was beginning to impose its ideology across all aspects of German life. Hitler used propaganda as a key tool to shape public opinion, and Triumph of the Will served as a powerful instrument to that end. By depicting the massive, choreographed spectacle of the Nuremberg Rally, the film conveyed the illusion of a harmonious, unstoppable regime, while also deifying Hitler.

You can watch a colourized version of the movie here.

Please watch in advance for the discussion.

Important Disclaimer: The discussion of Triumph of the Will in this context is purely for historical, educational, and analytical purposes. By analyzing this work, we do not endorse or support any of the ideologies or messages conveyed in the film. Our objective is to understand its impact on history, propaganda, and film as a medium. Viewer discretion is advised, as the film contains content that can be disturbing and offensive.