Hitler's Hollywood

[bigshot]

I screened this new documentary last night. I've seen a lot of movies in my lifetime, but this was full of amazing looking films that I've never even heard of before. It appears that some archive must be specializing in restoring these. The image quality on most of them was stunning. Incredible color. The documentary itself was pretty enlightening, focusing on the history of film making in Germany during the war years, and how the films reflected the Nazi philosophy. The narrator, Udo Kier was a bit mumble mouthed. I had difficulty understanding him at times. But overall, I would recommend this highly. It comes with another documentary covering the silent era up to the Nazis too, so you get a lot for your money here.

[Fnord Prefect]

Originally Posted by bigshot

I screened this new documentary last night. I've seen a lot of movies in my lifetime, but this was full of amazing looking films that I've never even heard of before. It appears that some archive must be specializing in restoring these. The image quality on most of them was stunning. Incredible color. The documentary itself was pretty enlightening, focusing on the history of film making in Germany during the war years, and how the films reflected the Nazi philosophy. The narrator, Udo Kier was a bit mumble mouthed. I had difficulty understanding him at times. But overall, I would recommend this highly. It comes with another documentary covering the silent era up to the Nazis too, so you get a lot for your money here.

Agree that this was a fascinating documentary and some of the clips did indeed look remarkably good considering their history and age.

Other than the Leni Riefenstahl films mentioned (one of which I'm sure almost 100% of board members will know of) the only two I remember even hearing of were Josef von Baky's remarkable version of the Baron Munchhausen story and equally remarkable for other not good at all reasons Jud Suss. Next time I watch I'll definitely have a pen and paper handy to note titles of interest.

Udo Kier's diction wasn't perfect and subtitles for the English audio would occasionally have been helpful, but ultimately he was fine.

Looking forward to watching the From Caligari to Hitler "supporting" feature. Surprised Eureka didn't include a bonus DVD of The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl though, presuming they still have the rights, maybe they're saving that for a blu-ray of Holy Mountain (1926)?

[bigshot]

Are any of the other films in there available in any form on home video? There are a few in there I'd really like to see. I've only seen the same ones you have (adding Olympia to the list).

[jcmw98]

Originally Posted by bigshot

I screened this new documentary last night. I've seen a lot of movies in my lifetime, but this was full of amazing looking films that I've never even heard of before. It appears that some archive must be specializing in restoring these. The image quality on most of them was stunning. Incredible color. The documentary itself was pretty enlightening, focusing on the history of film making in Germany during the war years, and how the films reflected the Nazi philosophy. The narrator, Udo Kier was a bit mumble mouthed. I had difficulty understanding him at times. But overall, I would recommend this highly. It comes with another documentary covering the silent era up to the Nazis too, so you get a lot for your money here.

Is the narration in German with English subtitles?

[bigshot]

You can hear the narration in either German or English. The scenes from the films themselves are subtitled in the English version.

[Fnord Prefect]

Originally Posted by jcmw98

Is the narration in German with English subtitles?

Choice of German with optional English subs or English, spoken in a moderate German accent, with optional (? didn't test) subs only for German dialogue during the clips. There is no default version as you chose which to play on main menu.

[oddbox83]

The main feature left me a bit cold, it really didn't delve very deep and was more like a brief overview and clips show. Perhaps understandable given how a German documentary production would feel like walking on eggshells at times with this material. There's enough scope left over for at least a 3 hour piece. Maybe one day it'll be extended with new interviews?

From Caligari to Hitler is wonderful on the other hand. Much more in-depth and leaves me with a deeper understanding of the brief culture that spawned these films. It also helps I suppose that 1920s German cinema is one of my favourite decades of films.