Olympia 2. Teil - Fest der Schönheit

Mar 29 1940 Not Rated 1h 36m
Documentary, Sport

Commissioned to make a propaganda film about the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, director Leni Riefenstahl created a celebration of the human form. Where the two-part epic's first half, Festival of the Nations, focused on the international aspects of the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin, part two, The Festival of Beauty, concentrates on individual athletes such as equestrians, gymnasts, and swimmers, climaxing with American Glenn Morris' performance in the decathalon and the games' majestic closing ceremonies.

Plot

After being commissioned by the 1936 Olympic Committee to create a feature film of the Berlin Olympics, Riefenstahl shot a documentary that celebrates the human body by combining the poetry of bodies in motion with close-ups of athletes in the heat of competition. The production tends to glorify the young male body and, some say, expresses the Nazi attitude toward athletic prowess. Miss Riefenstahl captures the grace of athletes during field hockey, soccer, bicycling, equestrian, aquatic and gymnastic events. Highlights are the Pentathlon and the Decathlon, which was won by American Glenn Morris; it ends with the triumphant conclusion of the games.

Written by

Leni Riefenstahl

Directed by

Leni Riefenstahl

Cast

Sheigo Arai, Jack Beresford, Ralf Berzsenyi

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

Germany

Production Companies

Olympia-Film GmbH

Languages

Deutsch

Awards

1 win

Scores
# of Votes
4,519
Average Rating
7.6 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA