Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations
(1938)
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Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations
(1938)
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| Uncredited cast: | |||
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David Albritton | ... |
Himself - High Jump, USA
(uncredited)
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Arvo Askola | ... |
Himself - 10000 Metres, FIN
(uncredited)
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Jack Beresford | ... |
Himself - Carries British Flag
(uncredited)
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Erwin Blask | ... |
Himself - Hammer Throw, German
(uncredited)
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Sulo Bärlund | ... |
Himself - Shot Put, Finland
(uncredited)
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Ibolya Csák | ... |
Herself - High Jump, Hungary
(uncredited)
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Henri de Baillet-Latour | ... |
Himself - IOC, Stands with Hitler, with Hurdlers
(uncredited)
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Philip Edwards | ... |
Himself - 800 Metres, Canada
(uncredited)
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Donald Finlay | ... |
Himself - 110m Hurdles, GB
(uncredited)
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Tilly Fleischer | ... |
Herself - Javelin Throw, Germany
(uncredited)
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Wilhelm Frick | ... |
Himself - Spectator
(uncredited)
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Josef Goebbels | ... |
Himself - Spectator
(uncredited)
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Hermann Göring | ... |
Himself - Spectator
(uncredited)
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Ernest Harper | ... |
Himself - Marathon, GB
(uncredited)
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Karl Hein | ... |
Himself - Hammer Throw, Germany
(uncredited)
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After being commissioned by the 1936 Olympic Committee to create a feature film of the Berlin Olympics, Riefenstahl shot a documentary that celebrates the human body by combining the poetry of bodies in motion with close-ups of athletes in the heat of competition. Includes the marathon, men's diving, and American track star Jesse Owen's sprint races at the 1936 Olympic games. The production tends to glorify the young male body and, some say, expresses the Nazi attitude toward athletic prowess. Includes the lighting of the torch at the stadium and Adolf Hitler looking on in amazement as Jesse Owens wins an unprecedented four Gold Medals. Written by Fiona Kelleghan <fkelleghan@aol.com>
I've read that this film, which portrays human beauty and athletic success, serves to justify euthanasia of the weak and infirm. If so, does not Da Vinci's David do the same?
My belief is that without the historical context, there would not be a single viewer who would suggest that this is propaganda fostered to support the atrocities of the Nazi Regime. As another reviewer suggests: this is no better than an NFL highlight film.
Actually, this is better than an NFL highlight film. Highlight films focus only on isolated moments of peak action. Do most of us prefer to just see the winning basket or the last touchdown? It's the game, the show, the story which gives us pleasure - not just the ending or spectacular feat.
The beauty of this film and its companion lies in its crafting. The lighting, the camera angles, the sequencing, the pace - everything is blended to produce a thing of beauty. It's like the chef who creates a feast with the same ingredients we manage to render a barely palatable meal. Leni produces a feast - a beautiful feast!