triumphant

       Although its definitely arguable whether Triumph of The Will is a documentary or a propaganda film, I would consider it more a form of propaganda. Leni Riefenstahl's technique was to create a documentary style film with persuasive elements.  She did this through her glorification of Hitler and the idea of a unified Germany.  Although she is recording actual events that happened, she goes beyond that with her effective camera angles, music, and narration or lack thereof.
       Her camera angles are often shot from below which makes Hitler seem superior and even a bit god-like.  Also she tends to let light shine directly on Hitler, giving him an almost heavenly appearance. Her incorporation of positive music sets the mood, especially in the opening scene we saw.  It sounds patriotic and triumphant. Riefenstahl also didn't include a narrator.  There are probably two reasons for this, one being the effectiveness of the speeches given at that time. In one scene that we were shown, the speaker speaks of Germany and Hitler as though they were getting married! He says they'll be together through the good and the bad and many other things that suggest a bond between Hitler and Germany.  In another scene, Hitler is speaking to youth in a very aggressive manner.  Both of these are examples where the speaker is very passionate. In scenes like these, Riefenstahl doesn't really need further narration, and she uses the camera angles to set the mood.  The other reason why she did not include narration might be because it would not allow the films luring elements to be subliminal. I think that's what primarily separates this film from an average documentary.  Although this film does contain reality, its lack of narration leaves room for the viewer to make out what he/she sees. And in this case, if the viewer was watching in the past, they would probably glorify Hitler as much as this film does.