How We View Films

While both films Triumph of The Will and Night and Fog Are in regards to the German Nazi party, each film differs in the message they portray to the audience. In Triumph of the Will, Leni Reifenstahl used her filming techniques to glorify the Nazi party and make it seem that they would rescue Germany from their state of dismay. By positioning the camera slightly below Hitler, it makes us, the audience; view him as dominant and above everyone else. Night and Fog gives us the straight facts of the Nazi party and the aftermath that transpired after their rule. Night and Fog shows us a mix of Nazi footage and what they filmed on their own. Ironically, which I took it as very factual without that gray area like Leni Reifenstahl's film had. Both Triumph of The Will and Night and Fog use music as a way to add to the impact of their films. When watching Triumph of The Will the music reminded me of the early Walt Disney movies like Cinderella and Snow White, with that very dreamy beautiful music. With the opening scene, with the clouds and airplane, in conjunction with that Disney like music we would think that what were about to watch is going to be in fact beautiful. And that it was, when thinking about the time period and context that the film was being displayed in. But when we take into consideration Night and Fog and compare the two, we realize that Triumph of The Will is not beautiful and is frightening because we know what really went on when the German Nazi’s had power. Night and Fog and the clips they show are truly heart wrenching and touch our emotions. As many people in class said, after watching, it made it feel like their stomachs were in knots, which I definitely felt as well. When taking into consideration if the filmmakers of either film are successful, we have to think again about the context they were being played and the time period they were released in. Triumph of The Will and Leni Reifenstahl truly reached her goal of glorifying the Nazi party and making it seem that with their help, Germany could turn around and become prosperous once again. And Night and Fog shows the truth of the Nazi party and how they were tyrants of Europe for years. When watched and discussed back to back, each movies original meaning changes.