Triumph of the Will: Encyclopedia II - Triumph of the Will - Plot

Triumph of the Will - Plot

Triumph of the Will has been described as "by Nazis, for Nazis, and about Nazis".^[2] The film begins with a prologue, the only commentary in the film. On a stone wall, the following text appears: On September 5, 1934, ... 20 years after the outbreak of the World War ... 16 years after the beginning of our suffering ... 19 months after the beginning of the German renaissance ... Adolf Hitler flew again to Nuremberg to review the columns of his faithful followers...

'Day 1': The film opens with shots of the clouds above the city, and then moves through the clouds to float majestically above the beautiful scenery and the assembling masses below. The shadow of Hitler’s plane, filmed from another unseen plane, is visible as it passes over the tiny figures marching below^[3], accompanied by music from Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" (which slowly turns into the Horst Wessel Lied). Upon arriving at the Nuremberg airport, Hitler emerges from his plane to thunderous applause and a cheering mob. He is then driven into Nuremberg, through equally enthusiastic crowds, to his hotel where a night rally is later held.

'Day 2': The second day begins with a montage of the attendees getting ready for the opening of the Reich Party Congress, and then footage of the top Nazi officials arriving at the Luitpold Arena. The film then cuts to the opening ceremony, where Rudolf Hess announces the start of the Congress. The camera then introduces much of the Nazi hierarchy and covers their opening speeches, including Joseph Goebbels, Alfred Rosenberg, Hans Frank, Fritz Todt, Robert Ley, and Julius Streicher. Then the film cuts to an outdoor rally for the Reichsarbeitdienst (Labor Service), which is primarily a series of pseudo-military drills by men carrying shovels. This is also where Hitler gives his first speech on the merits of the Labor Service and praising them for their work in rebuilding Germany. The day then ends with a torchlight SA parade.

'Day 3': The third day starts with a Hitler Youth rally on the parade ground. Again the camera covers the Nazi dignitaries arriving and the introduction of Hitler by Baldur von Schirach. Hitler then addresses the Youth, describing in militaristic terms how they must harden themselves and prepare for sacrifice. Everyone present then assembles for a military pass and review, featuring Wehrmacht cavalry and various armored vehicles. That night Hitler delivers another speech to low-ranking party officials by torchlight, commemorating the first year since the Nazis took power and declaring that the party and state are one entity.

'Day 4': The fourth day is the climax of the film, where the most memorable of the imagery is presented. Hitler, flanked by Himmler and Lutze, walks through a long wide expanse with over 150,000 SA and SS troops standing at attention, to lay a wreath at a World War I Memorial. Hitler then reviews the parading SA and SS men, following which Hitler and Lutze deliver a speech where they discuss the purge of the SA several months prior. Lutze reaffirms the SA's loyalty to the regime, and Hitler absolve the SA of any crimes committed by Roehm and his followers prior to their purge during the Night of the Long Knives some two months earlier. New party flags are consecrated by touching them to the "blood banner" (the same cloth flag carried by the fallen Nazis during the Beer Hall Putsch) and, following a final parade in front of the Nuremburg Frauenkirche, Hitler delivers his closing speech. In it he reaffirms the primacy of the Nazi Party in Germany, declaring, "All loyal Germans will become National Socialists. Only the best National Socialists are party comrades!" Hess then leads the assembled crowd in a final Sieg Heil salute for Hitler, marking the close of the party congress. The film fades to black as the entire crowd sings the Horst Wessel Lied.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Plot", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki