Triumph des Willens - Documentary Analysis

1. Why Have I Analysed this Documentary?

1.1. "Triumph of the Will" (translated from German) was a German film produced in 1935.

1.2. The film is a pro-nazi propaganda piece produced to amass support for the German army in World War 2 as well as promote Hitler's Nazi regime.

1.3. The context in which the film is set would not interpret this text as propaganda; to go against the stance int he film may have been considered treason within German society.

1.4. I analysed this film in order to identify the techniques used in order to persuade an audience to a particular point of view.

1.5. I also wanted to analyse a more contemporary text in order to contrast the differences between modern and historic pieces.

1.6. The film was produced and directed by a female film maker; this is ironic considering the position of women at the time the film was commissioned.

1.7. The mode of this documentary seems to develop as the progresses; what seems to start as a performative documentary soon conveys conventions of the expository mode, due to the persuasive techniques used.

2. Sound

2.1. Positive ambient sound, such as crowd cheering, creates a positive mood; suggests happiness and prosperity.

2.2. Royal backing music plays as Hitler comes into shot; insinuates a royal status. Reinforced by sound of crowd Hailing Hitler.

2.3. Lack of verbal narration conveys overwhelming power of Hitler, evidently sending message to his enemies/foreigners.

2.4. Only clear speech comes from German public conference; emphasis the importance of their words. (Translated to emphasise the beauty of the language)

2.4.1. Speech contains persuasive words to bring people about to the German way of life.

2.5. Sound of trumpets and drums associated with the war time context.

2.6. All ambient sound is synchronous.

2.7. Sound bridging communicates the unity and communist values of German society.

3. Cinematography

3.1. Low angle used to shoot Adolf Hitler, conveying the idea of worship and his power; Persuasive Propaganda.

3.2. Shaky hand held camera and actuality footage creates Cinema Verite; Suggests all footage being shown is the truth. Creates propaganda.

3.3. Close up shots of SS Guard's belt and swastika creates iconography; aims to create an ideology within the audience. Emphasises the power of the symbols.

3.4. Close up of German flag used to similar effect.

3.5. Mid shots used instead of close ups to convey the truthful elements of the shots.

3.6. Camera titled from soldier up to the swastika flag to create association.

4. Editing

4.1. Inter titles used in order to establish context and set the scene

4.2. Images of smiling citizens/soldiers used repeatedly to enforce points; creates propaganda.

4.2.1. Shot from a high angle to enforce the sheer numbers of the crowds and the power of the German military (camera panning reinforces this).

4.3. Shots of smiling citizens juxtaposed with German flag to create association with positive emotion. (Barthes symbolic code).

4.4. Long takes used to allow the audience to fully take in the spectacle on screen.

4.5. Majority of positive images repeated to reinforce points.

4.6. Black and white footage establishes historical context.

5. Mise-en-Scene

5.1. Movement and expressions of people surrounding Hitler insinuates his high status, as if a God.

5.2. Actual citizens instead of professional actors creates Cinema Verite; all their actions and expressions interpreted as the truth, and thus creates positive tone for the Nazi regime.

5.3. SS Training; Soldiers smiling and playing up to camera, suggests that the military is a prosperous and happy place.

5.4. Synchronised movements and expressions of the soldiers implies the uniform rigidity of the German military.

5.5. Women wear fancy, extravagant costume, with majority of flesh covered. Implies the male dominance of German society.

5.6. Idea of communism presented.

5.7. Spades being used; Prop that conveys the ideas of work and hardship (Barthes code).

5.8. Fireworks; Symbols of celebration and happiness.

5.9. Audience Theory: A modern day audience would respond drastically differently to this film compared to an audience of the same era. (Uses and Gratifications).