Thursday, November 19, 2009

The narrative frame of “Munchausen” was one that’s purpose was to totally distract the viewer from the misery and war that Germany was currently facing. Using the UFA’s 25th anniversary to propel the movie along with its Technicolor production helped create an illusion for viewers who faced tough times in the Third Reich. The entire storyline is a flight of the imagination that would capture the audience of the time not only through its vibrant colors but also through the plot of a fantastical journey. Four years prior to the “Munchausen’s” was the premier of Hollywood’s “The Wizard of Oz,” which similarly used lively colors and an imaginative storyline to distract viewers for pure entertainment. However, while many believe “Munchausen” was purely for entertainment and distraction, there was Nazi propaganda elements used. Early in the movie there comes a line saying how people with different noses are obviously different, which could potentially allude to the stereotype of a Jewish person. Additionally, the movie may credit some things about people from the Middle East, but overall “Munchausen” openly embarrasses Islam. These are not blatant Nazi propaganda elements; however there are clearly aspects of the movie that coincide with the idea that the Aryan race is superior and non-Christians are inferior.

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