Targeting the Enemy

Hamilton touches on the distinction between the effectiveness of the Nazi Party's pursuit of youth support versus the Communist Party's attempts early on when she states "Both appealed to hatred, both held out an ideal of a changed Germany, but Hitler's propaganda was cleverer than the Communists', because his program is narrower, more concrete." While I do not believe that she is talking about the actual political platforms of Hitler's plans, I do believe that she means the general Nazi message is clear and to follow the means to follow the Nazi movement is far clearer than to do so with the Communists.

Neither "Hitlerjunge Quex" or "Kuhle Wampe" take the time to outline the political goals for their respective parties, yet both make it clear what each party's sentiment is towards their wounded country. Despite these similarities, "Hitlerjunge Quex" is still more effective. While both movies drive in the themes for each party (nationality in "Hitlerjunge Quex" and solidarity in "Kuhle Wampe"), only "Hitlerjunge Quex" uses a means of contrast to prove why the youth should follow the Nazi Party. Regardless of stylistic techniques and plot choices, "Hitlerjunge Quex" appeals more to the youth because it casts a negative spin on the Communist party while still boasting its on image. It is in this point that Hamilton's observations hold true. "Hitlerjunge Quex" tells the German youth to behave like this and don't be like that; the message is clear. "Kuhle Wampe" leaves too much room for interpretation and it is because of that leeway, according to Hamilton, that it loses the appeal to German youth.