Hitler and film: the Fuhrer's hidden passion

Study by Bill Niven of Hitler's extensive relationship with film in Nazi Germany. The author suggests that Hitler was well aware of the persuasive power of film as against print as a tool to promote his views and influence the people and, no mere consumer, was involved in the production and transmission of film. The documentary film director Leni Riefenstahl, in a collaboration with Hitler between 1933 and his death in 1945, produced numerous films including the 1933 Nazi Party rally 'Victory of Faith', 'Triumph of the Will' (1935) and 'Olympia' (1938), documenting the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. The book also focuses on the portrayal and depiction of Hitler in film of the period, Hitler's relationship with actors and the making of the anti-Semitic films 'Jew Süss' and 'The Eternal Jew.' Hitler's private viewing habits and the public image of his film viewing are contrasted.

Part of the Bill Douglas and Peter Jewell Collection