Propaganda And Film Analysis

The Nazis saw the importance of films, with it becoming a popular past time for many at this time. Films had the potential to reach the masses, especially in 1930s when this technology was still young and people wanted to explore it more. This is why films became a vital source of propaganda for the regime, who used films for many different propaganda purposes. In September 1933 films became a part of the Chamber of Culture, their mission was to ‘lift the motion pictures out of the sphere of influence of literalistic economic thinking, give them a sound economic foundation, and assign to them political and cultural missions.’ Firstly they needed to ‘see to it that the entire motion picture profession will become cognizant of this mission.

The introduction to this film shows the unity between the party as if, the state and the people are the same thing, creating this sense of ‘people’s community’ that the need of the state or the majority was more important than them. Although this film did show a distorted view of the rally through its use of aerial shots. This film showed the rally in great light, showing the comradery between the Nazis and their supporters, 200,000 people turned up to this rally waving flags and playing instruments to support the regime; this mass turn out showed that not only was Germany becoming more powerful but also the Nazis themselves. As well as this, this film showed how powerful Hitler was, since hundreds of thousands of people were mesmerised by his iconic and powerful voice, Ian Kershaw agrees, ‘the regime could still depend upon… the fact that Hitler still captivated the masses.’ The introduction to this film shows Hitler using an aeroplane to get to Nuremberg; this was important to Goebbels who saw this was key in showing that the Nazis were a party of the future, with their use of expensive modern technology. This film had a great response, being one of the most profitable shows of 1935. This showed the German population that the Nazis were only going to make their lives and Germany better through their policies; which many were starting to believe. This film shows the success of Nazi film propaganda because it did not waver from the unity theme, which possibly gave those watching a sense of connection to the party and made them support them more. During the war years propaganda films became even more important as the Nazis needed them keep moral high in Germany and show how nice it was on the front, when in reality it was