Triumph of the Will (German: Triumph des Willens) is a 1935 German Nazi propaganda film directed, produced, edited, and co-written by Leni Riefenstahl. Adolf Hitler commissioned the film and served as an unofficial executive producer; his name appears in the opening titles. It chronicles the 1934 Nazi Party Congress (rally) in Nuremberg, which was attended by Nazi supporters. The film contains excerpts of speeches given by Nazi leaders at the Congress, including Hitler, Rudolf Hess and Julius Streicher, interspersed with footage of massed Sturmabteilung (SA) and Schutzstaffel (SS) troops and public reaction. Its overriding theme is the return of Germany as a great power with Hitler as its leader. The film was produced after the Night of the Long Knives, and many formerly prominent SA members are absent.
Following its release in March 1935, it became a major example of film used as propaganda and was well-received at home. Riefenstahl's techniques—such as moving cameras, aerial photography, the use of long-focus lenses to create a distorted perspective, and the revolutionary approach to the use of music and cinematography—have earned Triumph of the Will recognition as one of the most effective propaganda films in history. It won several awards in Germany, France and Italy. The film continued to influence films, documentaries and commercials after the war.
This print has the original musical play-in that leads to the opening cloud sequence, often this has been removed from other prints. Leaders and tails have not been cut on this print. The best focus and contrast of this film I have seen. Prints of this film are generally washed out dupes. This one is not perfect, but is the best I've seen. This print belonged to a research organisation and was marked as "new print". The date code says it is from 1976, but it shows very little use at all. Print is in German as are the original opening credits, there are no subtitles.
This print has some light wear only with occasional light brief scratch or blemish, almost all on the original negative used. Hardly a splice. There are some dust and dirt marks and some other negative (white) marks that come and go also. Print has good contrast and focus. Sound is good. No vinegar smell.
Please see condition description and frame scans above for more details.