Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, a Whole Lot of Nothing

While clicking through channels on my T.V. as a child I would occasionally stumble upon the History Channel and the few times I saw programs on World War II/Nazi Germany I always wondered why Hitler and Other Nazi politicians did so much yelling. After watching Triumph of the Will on monday night I walked away from many of the speech segments, specifically Hitler's Speech at the end, a little bit confused. It's clear that these guys were passionate about something, but what that something is I'm still not quite sure. I reviewed the speech again today and sadly haven't really found an answer to that question. Essentially, after you strip away all the mumbo-jumbo about a United Germany and the rebirth of a great nation you're left with a whole lot of nothing. The lack of applicable information contained within the speeches suggest the atmosphere of a High School Pep Rally as opposed to that of a major political party. It's all about how awesome National Socialism is and how "Hitler is Germany"... etc. What it doesn't provide are the "whys" and actual positions held by the party on pertinent issues. From what is presented in the film, I'm forced to the conclusion that Triumph of the Will is not a documentary or even a political film, but rather a piece of pure and unadulterated propaganda. Additionally, It inadvertently exposes the Nazi Party for what it really is: a bogus platform generated for the sole purpose of rendering germany completely under the control of Adolf Hitler. The sad thing is that it all worked.

Hitler's speech sells the collective will

Hitler’s message in his final speech from Triumph of the Will is largely focused on framing National Socialism and the German Reich as a glorious and almost holy cause, in the sense that it will live on beyond the lives of individuals and be a monument to their greatness. He conveys that joining the cause gives a person not only the glory and power that the collective Party possesses, but a kind of afterlife – they would be helping to build something greater than themselves, and would be part of the “symbol of eternity.”

His speech is also heavily laced with themes of right and duty, and, as a related concept, sacrifice. He mentions that those with the “best blood” have a right to exert their power over those who do not, and makes this sound as natural as one saying that those with engineering degrees should become engineers, as opposed to those without such credentials. In the speech, this all sounds like a natural aspect of a well-ordered society. However, he goes on to say that for some exceptional people, it will not be enough to say that they believe—instead, they must also fight. With this, he ties in the additional idea that it is not only a right, but an obligation, that those who are best qualified (i.e., with the “best blood,” etc.) will assume their rightful place and do their duty within the Party. He goes further with this when he says that the idea of the Party can only be realized if we give of ourselves to it.

The entire thing is somewhat reminiscent of evangelical preachers promising glory in the afterlife if we just give up our individual wills and let Jesus take over. Except in this case, we have Hitler as the shepherd of the sheep, rather than Jesus.

Hitler's Contradictory Politics

Throughout the film, it seems as if Hitler is strategically forging his mass following through increasingly intense and dramatic speeches. In the beginning of the celebration, Hitler speaks with compassion and love for all his fellow Germans. His persuasiveness grows as he lauds the lower class workers and youth, the “roots of Germany” as he describes them (a sort of grassroots campaign). The fate of Germany rested on its soldiers, an importance that most had likely never felt before. Hitler’s basic following essentially derived from his celebration of the bottom rungs of the social ladder, despite the fact that he would soon increase the brittle divisiveness between castes.

As a stark contrast to his earlier speeches, the final speech of the film cries out for a betterment of society by removing the “bad” and keeping only the “good.” Hitler here strays from these ideals his original joyous spirit of utopian perfection and socialism, pulling behind him his now gloriously loyal following. Calling on people to “fight” for Germany and not just “believe” in its movement swayed his followers to perpetuate his every word.

This began his creation of a Reich with the “power from the minority,” marking a clear turning point of his politics from socialism to fascism. Germany needed a “fixed pole,” a strong foundation to lead the way. “Only the best National Socialists can be Party Comrades,” Hitler explained, an appealing thought until his plans for the ultimate race later became clear. However, from his closing speech, his adorers were left with only his two basic “principles” for the party: a true ideology and a singular power in Germany. Neglecting to outline any plans for the future of the state, Hitler still managed to recruit thousands of loyal Germans to his ill-fated regime.

Hitler's Final Speech

Hitler's final speech has many words, but very litle content. Much of it consists of romanticized portrayals of militarism, the Nazi Party (of which he never actually specifically states party objectives), the German youth and their "inheritance", and the eternal qualities of the Reich. Hitler continues in the glorification of the Nazi Party by likening it to a "Holy Order", granting the party universal doctrinal power and adding to the eternal qualities on which he espouses. Probably the most egregious sentiment lies in the generalization of the German people's support of the party. Hitler acts as if the country is now perfectly unified in its objectives (again objectives he never actually states) and ready to remove the things which have been "proven bad" to German society. The speech is equal in vapidity and passionate rhetoric; a masterpiece of propaganda.

Individuality Defies the Party...

Leni Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will is very powerful in the fact that it shows the Nazi way of life as the 'natural' way of life. Thousands of individuals are shown not only respecting and responding positively to Hitler's ways, but also embracing and emulating his ways as their own. The various shot of hundreds of men with identical haircuts and uniforms was not filmed 'by chance', but was a demonstration that individuality defies the cause of the Nazi Party and one person's individual needs do not override the Party's needs as a whole. This is demonstrated in the speech used to introduce Hitler. The words "When Hitler moves... Germany moves" and "Hitler is Germany" are two examples of the Nazi goal of unification. Riefenstahl also uses the visual aids of children. Children welcoming Hitler not only provides Hitler with the father-like and charming figure, it also shows that the Nazi Party has a future because generations will learn to love it. If the ideal had been placed on just the adults, it would die when they died. Hitler knows this... which is why in the final speech, he emphasizes the German Youth and their importance. He also talks of the struggles Germany has seen because he knows this will make the citizens passionate for change. He speaks of a bright future and a cruel past. He gives hope to the German people by promising them that tomorrow will be better than yesterday.

Faith in the Party

Since The Triumph of the Will relies so heavily on the visual, seeing it without subtitles and without being able to speak any German did not take anything away from the overall message of the film. Riefenstahl carefully spliced together different images of Hitler being taller and bigger than the crowds, the masses in awe looking up to him, and the soldiers in perfectly synchronized lines looking like Hitler and obeying his orders, to show his authority and power over these helpless citizens. The Nazis drew in crowds through propaganda just like this. Showing how positively people were responding to Hitler's ideas for the future of Germany allowed Germans to feel like they were finally being saved. From my interpretation, Hitler and the higher officials were reassuring Germans of the good to come with them in power; with the Nazi party in office Germany will soon see a much brighter day. All they had to do was put their faith in Hitler.

Hitler: Germany's Savior

The Triumph of the Will shrewdly propagates Hitler’s ideology by manipulating visuals throughout the film, effectively exposing the viewer to the Nazi Party’s underlying message of supremacy. Although the film presents us with a multitude of themes, I find that Hitler’s final speech ultimately reveals his aspiration for Germany to rise as a dominant power. By drawing upon a sentiment of racial primacy and national pride, Hitler seeks to assemble the masses in an attempt to build and promote German society. The visuals of cohesion within German society (inaccurate), such as the welcoming crowds who all seem to believe in his cause and presence, position Hitler as a sort of liberator. Even the German youth appear ready to support his political revolution. Because Hitler is positioned as a divine figure throughout the film, he is able to elevate his status as Germany’s ultimate savior. If the German people assimilate under him, he will be a long-term solution to their nation’s ‘suffering.’

genocidal tendencies in Triumph of the Will

Hitler, in his closing speech of the Triumph of the Will, maintains a celebratory tone consistent with the parading of much of the film. There are a few statements in particular that interest me because they seem to hint at what is to come in the near future under the Nazi regime. Hitler asserts that the National Socialist party will hold onto its power at all cost saying:

"The German people are happy in the knowledge that the constantly changing leadership has now been replaced by a fixed pole; a force which considers itself the representative of the best blood, and, knowing this, has elevated themselves to the leadership of this Nation and is determined to keep this leadership, to use it to the best advantage and never to relinquish it again."

Within this assertion, Hitler makes reference to his 'best blood,' which suggests that he and his fellow National Socialists are genetically superior to their competitors. He revisits the notion of superiority: "The Party will for all time to come represent the elite of the political leadership of the German people." Already, the framework for genocide is in place, though at the time unrecognizable. This underlying framework is perhaps most evident when Hitler says "Today, we ourselves must remove undesirable elements which have proven to be bad. What is bad, has no place among us! " At the time, this statement was more likely perceived to be a statement of personal purification or ridding political corruption than a statement of ethnic cleansing. The double readings of these statements are a clever way for the Party to be aboveboard about their goals without the affront of an outright racist manifesto. The careful manipulation of words and images is the reason that the Nazi party was so successful.

A Humble Man From Humble Beginnings

In Hitler’s final speech featured in Triumph of the Will, he references a time when the party only consisted of seven men. At that time, he says that it was “difficult to be a National Socialist.” This is important rhetoric for Hitler to use as he reminds the people that he is from humble beginnings. It inspires the masses to go along with the party’s ideology as it gained prominence from such a small start. He then goes on to claim that even though the group was the minority, they were the best men of the German race and have inspired great numbers of people to join them. This rhetoric of the minority becoming the strong majority is vital because the only evidence that he needs to support it is the filled hall of supporters applauding after his every sentence (whether or not it is as big as Leni Riefenstahl paints it to be.)

One other interesting aspect of the speech is that Hitler does not refer to himself. He constantly refers to the party simply as “the party” or sometimes “our party”, which tells of the importance of everyone’s support, rather than just the ideals and goals of one man. This is directly contrasted by Hess’ comments after the speech, when he claims that “The party is Hitler!” By having Hess tell of Hitler’s greatness rather than Hitler himself detailing it, Riefenstahl paints Hitler not only as a powerful, respected and revered leader but also as a humble man. 

"Es Leben Deutschland!"

An audience listens with its eyes. ~ Les Fillmer
A picture is a thousand words, and in a film is a thousand pictures. What Hitler cries out to the German masses in his speeches is verily vehement and passionate, but he was also a leader who was acutely conscious of the power of the visual image, a man known to have practiced his speeches repeatedly to perfect the leader figure that his people would see. Triumph of the Will uses the medium of film to not only capture the startling visions of Hitler's Reich, but to heighten, elaborate and even glorify through careful compilation and editing. Through this film, an audience is nearly bombarded with the militaristic impressions, the endless stretches of those who are proudly willing to serve Germany. A steadfast Germany. A united Germany. A powerful Germany. A Germany which its people can depend upon, and which can stand strong independently. Hitler presents an image of all united as one entity that is indestructible, yet can also destroy what stands in its way. The images in the film show that all that is good and noble to the German Volk is bonded to this ideal of the great, undivided nation. Therefore, what good could come of isolating oneself from this completed whole, outside of which there can be nothing better left?

What Pride Can Promise

I thought the main theme of the film was not the prospect of a strong future in Germany, but the absolute promise of a thriving Germany because of Hitler and the Nazi party. After the First World War, Germany fell into a deep and perceived never-ending depression. Hitler’s final speech and the visuals throughout the film convey to the viewers that the Nazi party will bring Germany back to prominence. I found the most compelling shots of the film to be the faces of young children of the Nazi Youth, which came after the scene of the young men in the camps who appear to be in a joyous, hardworking state. The shots of men happy at work for their country followed by Hitler’s visit to the Nazi Youth convey to the viewer that times have changed and Germany’s future will be even stronger and more unified. Hitler discusses the hardships the Nazi party faced through their climb to power proving to viewers that taking German life to a brighter future is possible. The speeches given throughout the film by Nazi leaders from various fields have one common message: Hitler has been the savior of Germany and will take the nation to new heights in the future. Each leader praises their Fuhrer, and for a common German viewer, shows the promise of a better life for their children. What I took most from the film was the stages of storm troopers hailing Hitler, down to young men working in the fields for Hitler, to the young male children awe-inspired at their Fuhrer and what those visuals promise to the viewer. The promise is that having pride in their country as well as believing in themselves will bring Germany back to prominence and that the movement has already begun.

Propaganda and Premonitions of the Future

As was typical of National Socialist propaganda in general, Hitler’s speech at the end of Triumph of the Will said little explicitly about the party’s specific political views or its plans for Germany. There was no party platform laid out as one would expect to see at, for example, an American party convention. The speech is evidence, however, of the sort of material the party presented to appeal to Germans and party members, and contains some ominous clues about Germany’s future.
Germany in 1934 had seen 20 years of world war, civil war, political strife, and economic depression. Even a few relatively stable years in the 1920s had not been so for most Germans. The NSDAP played upon a general longing for stability both in its rise to power and maintenance of it. Hitler tried hard in his speech to give the impression that the Nazi party was there to stay. This was both an appeal to Germans who had seen a multitude of different ruling groups over the past 20 years, as well as a warning against those thinking of challenging the party’s dominance. Hitler told the people that this Reich would last one thousand years, not a dozen years like the Weimar Republic, nor 48 years like the Wilhelmian Reich, but a full 1000. The party would assure its power in perpetuity, and when the older members grew weak, the younger would take over.
Additionally, Hitler’s speech contained a few clues about his plans for Germany, even if he did not state these plans explicitly. In the speech, Hitler proclaimed his views about race. If one had pure blood and led the nation, he said, that power would last forever. More importantly, the movement of the party to power was led by the supposedly racially best of the German nation. Obviously, National Socialist ideology was strictly racist. Since it was Hitler’s plan that all Germans become national socialists, if not party members, then there seems to be no room in Hitler’s ideal Germany for the racially “impure.” Of course, the decision to exterminate Jews and other minorities outright was not made until about 8 years later, but one can see a hint of what was to come in this speech. After all, the exclusion of Jews from membership in the German nation had already begun with the boycott of Jewish businesses.
There was also a hint in Hitler’s speech of war looming on the horizon. If the parades of Nazis in military uniform were not enough to convince people that the party wanted war, Hitler’s assertion that the army and the party would carry the German state and German Reich on their shoulders should have been.

National Socialist Germany

Right at the beginning of Hitler’s final speech of the movie, he makes clear what are and were from the earliest beginning of the party the basic aims of the Nationalist Socialists: for one thing that they wanted to be a party with a true ideology and for another thing that they wanted to be the one and only power in Germany. To achieve these aims Hitler says that on the one hand struggle is essential, but on the other hand also sacrifices. In his opinion all upright Germans have to be Nationalist Socialists and therewith already implies that all people who oppose the Nationalist Socialist party are no real Germans. Talking about sacrifices in that context already gives the idea that he is willing to do everything to clean the German people of all “Anti” -Germans.

His speech also contains a lot of military elements. He starts his speech with saying that this is also a meeting of the old comrades, probably referring to some military leaders from the First World War that were present. In the German original he even uses two words for describing comrades, first Streiter, which basically means something like fighter and Kampfgenosse, which means comrades in battle. By using two words that basically mean the same thing he emphasizes the military background of the meeting. Later he even speaks of educating the people by two institutions: first of all by the party leaders and their traditions, which often had a military background and secondly by the army. Thus it is obvious that he wants to build an army, though he officially was not allowed to do so. Later he even refers to an army word-for-word talking about the SA, naming them our wonderful & glorious army and carriers of arms. Thus he speaks not of a army of workers but of a real military army, which obviously is needed to go war.

He wants every active fighter to swear: “I will fight”, and expects from the rest of the population to believe in the ideas of Nationalist Socialist Party. He even uses a biblical allegory by comparing the party to a holy order. The Party is in a way a kind of religion everyone has to attend to and Hitler identifies this “religion” with Germany. By saying “Long lives the National Socialist movement! Long live Germany!” his goal of building up a purely National Socialist state becomes clear again.

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?

Triumph of the Will

Hitler was quite the psychotic genius to begin to use visual propaganda to sway the minds of those in Germany who were not quite on board with his tactics and methods, and also to keep those who were in full support of his ideals on his side. As mentioned previously, there is not much dialogue within the film. The only times we hear Hitler speak is when he is barking like an epileptic and trying to rev up the crowd. In complete honesty, Hitler allowed people to know what he was doing. It was not a secret, by saying we will only use the best blood, the purest of blood will only lead our party, it did not seem confusing as to what would happen to those who did not qualify. They obviously would not be receiving any help from "the party" if they could not contribute, and his fury and intensity during his speeches let you know that he was adamant about what he was yelling into the crowd. There was no joke, or "well maybe we will take care of them". You either fit the bill or you didn't. This point also makes how people received the film interesting as well. Comments were stated that, you would never know how badly things were happening in Germany because of the way things were set up on set. However, there are such things as "too" perfect, and also someone who usually sounds like a raving lunatic, usually is. There were definitely many hints that either people just did not want to see, or chose not to, but the film is actually quite eerie and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Even the beautiful "scenes" of the buildings in Germany are plastered with Swastika's on them. There is nothing beautiful, nor reverent about that image. Which is just another example that goes to show you that the facade of the buildings and the militaristic and organized marching of the troops on the surface "look" right, or beautiful, or whatever your favorite adjective is, but underneath the surface was pure evil.

Hitler's Message Becomes Clear

It is in the end of the movie with Hitler's final speech that his message to Germany and the masses becomes clear. While he starts off by saying that the party began with a "true ideology", he finally begins to explain to what extent the German people will need to sacrifice for Hitler in order to maintain this ideologic world that he created. As Hitler explains that the "racially best" are to become the leaders of the Reich, you begin to understand how the images in the movie pertain to this idea. All the individuals taped in the film demonstrated the value of physical health and strength, as well as their uniformity in race and beliefs. But to what extent did the masses understand Hitler's plan? Throughout the movie it is understandable that they felt pride in Germany and of their nation as Hitler spoke but it is this final scene that the deeper motives of Hitler seep out into the crowd.

Hitler reinforces the importance of the "racially best" by screaming to the crowd that whoever is the carrier of the "best blood" and has used this "best blood" to lead the nation will keep their power inside the party. It is evident in this moment that those who do not side with the party or who are not accepted by the Third Reich will suffer greatly and be left behind to fend for themselves as Party moves into gaining more power. Lastly, while the images of a militaristic Party are seen throughout the movie, it is in this final speech that you see how corrupt Hitler's plan is to ensure the "unwanted" did not weaken the Party. He says that the "docterine is unchangaeble" and that the "organization is solid" but that the "tactics are flexible". I interpreted this to mean that Hitler and the Party would do whatever it took to ensure the "success" of the Party, which as we saw meant taking lives of those he decided were weak and "had no place among the indestructible pillar of the German people and the Reich".

Rhetoric of Hitler's Last Speech of the Film

The primary rhetoric of Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will revolves around the idea of an eternal Germany, as well as the glorification of Hitler as the sole leader and savior of the country.  However, Hitler’s final speech that he gives at the closing ceremonies of the rally brings together many of the themes of Nazi ideology that Riefenstahl’s cinematography brings to light, and foreshadows some of the future actions and policies of the National Socialists.  First of all, at the beginning of his speech, Hitler calls on Germans to remember when it was “not easy” to be a National Socialist, and reminds them that the party began humbly with only seven men.  By conjuring up an image of the struggling Nazi origins while simultaneously filming a massive rally with thousands of enthusiastic supporters, Riefenstahl visually creates the illusion of the “triumph” that is in the title of the film.  By reminding Germans that the National Socialists were not always revered, the idea of their triumph becomes more obvious.  Furthermore, although there is no reference to Jews or minorities throughout the film, in this speech Hitler refers to the leaders of the Third Reich as the “racially best” throughout Germany, foreshadowing the racially-obsessed and anti-Semitic rallies to come.  Hitler also uses language in this speech to promote the idea of the Third Reich as very permanent, most likely to assuage the German peoples’ fear that this regime will be as transient as Germany’s past governments.  Hitler even goes so far as to call National Socialism a “holy order” that will last a thousand years.  Throughout his speech, Hitler also makes a point to present the Nazi Party itself as one that is highly exclusive, of which only the “best” National Socialists belong.  Finally, Hitler’s final speech of the film is representative of overall Nazi propaganda in that it promotes Germans everywhere to sacrifice their individuality for the good of the state.

Promises of Optimism in Triumph of the Will

While watching Triumph of the Will, I could not help but notice how positively the Nazi Party is portrayed throughout the film. The camera angles and cinematic elements use to cast Hitler as somewhat of a religious savior for the country, were only reinforced by the speeches given by the politicians. The ideals of the party, which later resulted in the association of extreme aggression with the party, were hidden behind the promises of prosperity and a better future. Therefore, I find it very intriguing to consider the statements that were not made throughout the film. There was no mention of war, let alone a mass genocide. There were also no statements made regarding what a “German” should or should not be in terms of physical appearance. Such messages are easy to see with our modern retrospective viewing of the film, but only through observance of the camera work and types of people who received airtime.

With regards to what was said, I again have to emphasize the portrayal of optimism both among the audience and the politicians. Hitler is repeatedly compared to the entire country in an attempt to link his goals with those of the country. Statements such as “Hitler is Germany. Germany is Hitler,” are made several times throughout the film. This certainly helped create an image of unity and undivided support for the party. What really struck me, however, were the statements made by the soldiers holding shovels. As thousands of them stood in a very organized fashion, they chanted things such as, “we plant trees” and “we build roads.” Such statements certainly lead one to view the assembly of supporters and party members as helpful and almost harmless. They also emphasize some things Hitler attempted to do early in his reign, such as lower the national unemployment rate through the creation of the Autobahn. Furthermore, the soldiers are thus presented more as civil servants than instruments of war. This forces me to conclude that it would have been very difficult at that time, without having witnessed what would later be inhumane party ideals, to doubt the good intentions of the party. To summarize my understanding of how words were used in the film to portray the party, I would say that words are used to help solidify the positive image of the party by emphasizing tasks being carried out which were difficult to argue against. People want to hear that politicians are going to provide jobs, improve the national situation both financially and socially, and establish an improved future. All of these promises are made in the film, while nothing related to the “final solution” or other hateful endeavors of the party is mentioned.

Hitler's Masked Plan

Watching the movie The Triumph of the Will, it is clear how easy it must have been to get caught up in the drama of the Nazi party. While the tremendous visual displays of flags, soldiers, and lights portray a truly nationalist German population, the speeches given by Hitler foreshadow a time of racism and war. Many of the Hitler’s speeches do focus on the mobilization of the masses into a single unit that can last forever. His final speech in The Triumph of the Will, however, focuses entirely on the extreme methods of reaching the status of an indestructible nation. Hitler mentions the “carriers of the best blood” will be selected into the party and “the racially best of the German nation” had courageously demanded to be leaders in the Reich. Without mentioning the genocide that will gather speed in the coming years, Hitler sneaks in the use of blood and race as the basis for German nationalism. Hitler also makes clear that the doctrine of the Reich is unchangeable and thus an organization “as strong as steel”.

The movie gives a clear visual of a militaristic state with thousands of men in uniform. Of course at the time, Germany was forbidden from having a military larger than the amount of men specified in the Treaty of Versailles. Therefore it is important to listen to Hitler’s focus on the “highly active fighters” that must make the commitment to believe in the movement and fight. He does not make his overall purpose any clearer when he quotes what the masses must swear to, saying, “I believe” and “I will fight”. Unfortunately, the theatrics of the Party masked Hitler’s true purpose and the majority of Germans did not hear Hitler’s true message.

           

Hitler's Speech: Immutability of the Nazi Party

I think that what gets said in the film, especially in the last speech given by Hitler, is seen throughout the film in the form of visuals and symbols that support the ideology of the Nazi party. It seems as though Hitler's primary goal in his final speech is reviewing the hardships that the Nazi party has endured to achieve power, and emphasizing the longevity and stabilizing force that the National Socialists are now offering Germany. He even states that the party's doctrines are unchangeable "like a holy order". This immutability is reiterated throughout the film in other speeches that claim, essentially, that it takes a long time to establish something that will also last a long time.

September 1-3: Triumph of the Will

The Triumph of the Will relies heavily on the visual. What actually gets said in the film, or, more specifically, in the final speech given by Hitler at the end of the film?