THE Will.

Neale's article sees Triumph of the Will as as a means of Nazi propoganda. Beautifully done, masterfully put together, but none the less - plain propoganda. I can't argue with that- Triumph of the Will supposedly turned thousands of Germans towards the famed dictator Adolph Hitler to follow him into one of the most brutal wars the human race has known. It was put together specifically for that task - Hitler wanted to portray power, and show people that through his vision, he could share it with them. He knew very well Riefenstahl was capable of such a vision cinematically. After reading up on this, I discovered Riefenstahl, in fact, after being propositioned to do the film, turned him down: numerous times. But Hitler was determined, and would have no one else make the film. He promised to give her whatever he needed, and a budget wasn't necessary: he wanted this to be the biggest and best production possible in the name of the Nazi government. Every single part of it was staged - the perfect lines, the salutes, the car ride, the lines and lines of followers vying to see Hitler make his entrance. Camera posts were set up at all positions, not only on the ground, but on the outside of buildings and towers alike. Leni Rifenstahl nailed it - she not only gave him a visually bedazzling piece that raised him as nothing less than a god, but bridged the gap between some fancy uniforms and onscreen power. Afterwards she was hailed as an artist - and after the wars, accused of helping Hitler to wipe out millions. Was Riefenstahl responsible? After all, it was only her artistic vice in which aided Hitler in this film. People saw what they wanted to see - yes, she was able to convince them. She HAD to - shes an artist, a director, a true filmmaker. Holding her responsible would be holding any artist who has ever created something believeable responsible. To accuse her in aiding Hitler to wipe out millions is ridiculous, accusing her that she did a really, REALLY good job in helping people believe Hitler is "the man" - yup. Such is the life of an artist.