Focuses on the Weimar Republic (1918-1933) and its 'collective spirit' in cinema. The purpose of film as a cultural tool is examined. Based on celebrated sociologist Siegfried Kracauer's seminal book 'From Caligari to Hitler' (1947).
As someone who loves Kracauer's book and the Weimar period of German cinema, this documentary was a godsend. I would have preferred it was dubbed rather than subtitled, but that is a small matter (and one that should not even bother me considering how many of the films referenced are subtitled).
Do I think the films of the 1920s predicted the rise of Hitler? No. But I absolutely love the exploration of them and German culture. The book has more detail than a film could hope to cover in 90-120 minutes, but the film brings everything to life. The clips are good (some of these films are hard to find), but even just daily life in Germany... very nice.
As someone who loves Kracauer's book and the Weimar period of German cinema, this documentary was a godsend. I would have preferred it was dubbed rather than subtitled, but that is a small matter (and one that should not even bother me considering how many of the films referenced are subtitled).
Do I think the films of the 1920s predicted the rise of Hitler? No. But I absolutely love the exploration of them and German culture. The book has more detail than a film could hope to cover in 90-120 minutes, but the film brings everything to life. The clips are good (some of these films are hard to find), but even just daily life in Germany... very nice.