The Unity and Power of the Nazi Party

Triumph of the Will was an incredibly powerful and, at times, awe inspiring spectacle of Nazi propoganda. That being said, the film is also incredibly terrifying as one recognizes the influence it had on Germany after it was released. Although I watched the film without subtitles, it was clear through the entire film the types of messages that were stated. In short, one can pick out two distinct themes that are present without understanding a word of the film: the unity and power of the Nazi Party and the German people.

I think the most important way unity is represented in the film is by the simple fact that the film was released in Germany for others to view. Even though you may not have been at the Party rally, by going to see the film, you could at least take part in it and be united with those who were there. As you watched the film, then, you would be in incredible awe as you saw people cheering for Hitler, listening to some of the highest ranking members of the party speak, and were bombarded with scenes that faded into each other to give the impression that they were some how related. Finally, at the end of the film, as you listened to Hitler, you would hear him vehemently describing the importance of Germany being ruled by the Nazi Party, and the need to ensure that the Nazi party kept rule over the country for 1,000 years, thus ensuring the unity of the nation for a long time to come.

The notion of power sticks out quite obviously in the film. This is no more apparent than with the scenes that depict the Nazi soldiers marching down the street with perfect discipline (discipline could easily be another theme in the film). The power that is present in these scenes is clearly militaristic, but the vibe one gets (or at least I got) is not militaryesque power. Rather, it is more likely that these scenes, and these marches in general, could have been included to show the German people how well organized the Nazi party is. Consider the fact that Hitler, in his final speech, declares how it wasn't to long ago that the party only included 7 members...and now look at it with its countless thousands cheering him on. An audience member who was overwhelmed by the awe of this film would have been incredibly impressed that the Nazi Party had so quickly gone from a party of a few to a party with disciplined soldiers (who were carrying shovels, thus signifying how they are WORKING for Germany) marching down the street. This party MUST be powerful because they are so organized, otherwise how could they have gotten to where they are?