Rudiger Suchsland’s second documentary on the cinema of Hitler’s Germany takes a fascinating, if surface-level, look at the ways entertainment gave rise to fascism.
This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood
When people think of Nazi films, they probably think of the Third Reich’s propaganda films; Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will, or Fritz Hippler’s The Eternal Jew. While these types of pictures were popular in Nazi Germany, they aren’t the whole story. Between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi-controlled film industry produced 1000 films, most of them entertainment films meant to rival Hollywood. They had large budgets, talented actors, and lavish visuals, and few of them dealt with political themes outright.
What do these films tell us about Nazi Germany? Rudiger Suchsland’s documentary Hitler’s Hollywood explores how the Nazis used escapist entertainment to indoctrinate the masses, and does so in an accessible, albeit general, way.
Following Suchsland’s previous documentary From Caligari to Hitler, which delved into the Weimar Republic’s cinematic efforts including some made famous by directors like F.W. Murnau, G.W. Pabst, and Fritz Lang, Hitler’s Hollywood goes into the themes that were prevalent in those movies not well-known outside of these Nazi contexts. While some the films were made with expressed intent to glorify the state, most were comedies, musicals, or melodramas. These films show happy Germans, laughing with friends in an idyllic countryside, pursuing career advancement in bustling cities, or searching for romance or adventure in exotic locales. It is a forced joviality without irony that borders on kitsch. But behind this happiness, there is a sinister intent. Death, whether it be dying during battle, euthanizing a mentally ill wife, or committing suicide to prevent race mixing, is glorified and to the point of kitsch. Naturally, xenophobia is also a prominent theme. Ironically, many of the Nazi film stars weren’t German, but Hungarian or Swedish.
Suchsland’s treatment of the subject is extensive, but a bit unwieldy, and it doesn’t come to a conclusive point. He gives a broad overview of the history of Nazi-era cinema and its themes without going into much detail over the films and the artist/propagandists who made them. The film would have fared better if he focused on a few specific films or filmmakers. That being said, Suchsland serves up an excellent narrator in famed German genre actor Udo Kier, his raspy narration serving the doc’s exploration of 1930s German psychology quite well.
While the breadth over depth approach of this documentary is a bit disappointing, it is understandable. Outside of historians, these films are forgotten by the public. But these films do deserve to be seen. Not for their artistic value, but because they are a warning. These are not propaganda in the strictest sense: they are escapist entertainment, but the values they espouse make the Nazi worldview palatable in the way the Nazis themselves could not. It’s worth asking ourselves how modern world events – particularly the ability for propagandists and state-run media outlets to obfuscate our collective understanding of reality and facts in favor of a pleasing narrative – find parallels within the media and cinema of Hitler-era Germany.
Hitler’s Hollywood is currently on the tail end of a week-long run at the Gene Siskel Film Center, ending May 17th.
Read next: The Spool's Best New Releases
Streaming guides
The Best Live TV Streaming Services With Free Trial
The praises of live TV streaming services don’t need to be further sung. By now, we all know that compared to clunky, commitment-heavy cable, live TV is cheaper and much easier to manage. But just in case you’re still on the fence about jumping over to the other side, or if you’re just unhappy with ... The Best Live TV Streaming Services With Free Trial
How to Watch Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 3
Season 3 of the hotly anticipated Power spin-off, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, is arriving on Starz soon, so you know what that means: it’s the ’90s again in The Southside, and we’re back with the Thomas family as they navigate the ins and outs of the criminal underworld they’re helping build. Mekai Curtis is ... How to Watch Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 3
How to Watch Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re so back! To celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary, the BBC is producing a three-episode special starring none other than the Tenth/Fourteenth Doctor himself, David Tennant. And to the supreme delight of fans (that would be me, dear reader), the Doctor will be joined by old-time companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and ... How to Watch Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials
Which Netflix Country Has Each Movie of The Hunger Games?
For whatever reason, The Hunger Games series isn’t available in the same countries around the world. You’ll find the first and second (aka the best) installments in Hong Kong, for instance, but not the third and fourth. It’s a frustrating dilemma, especially if you don’t even have a single entry in your region, which is ... Which Netflix Country Has Each Movie of The Hunger Games?
How to watch Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin Season 2
After a years-long hiatus, scientist and explorer Albert Lin is coming back to National Geographic with a fresh new season of Lost Cities, renamed “Lost Cities Revealed.” In the past, Lin, who is probably the closest we’ll ever get to a real-life Indiana Jones, has traveled everywhere from the ancient Knights Templar in Israel to ... How to watch Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin Season 2
How to Watch Paramount Network With a Free Trial
To date, Paramount Network has only two original shows on air right now: Yellowstone and Bar Rescue. The network seems to have its hands full with on-demand streaming service Paramount+, which is constantly stacked with a fresh supply of new shows. But Yellowstone and Bar Rescue are so sturdy and expansive that the network doesn’t ... How to Watch Paramount Network With a Free Trial
How to Watch WE TV With a Free Trial
Previously “Women’s Entertainment,” We TV has since rebranded to accurately reflect its name and be a more inclusive lifestyle channel. It’s home to addictive reality gems like Bold and Bougie, Bridezillas, Marriage Boot Camp, and The Untold Stories of Hip Hop. And when it’s not airing original titles, it has on syndicated shows like 9-1-1, ... How to Watch WE TV With a Free Trial
How to Watch FX With a Free Trial
You’d be hard-pressed to find a bad show airing on FX. The channel has made a name for itself as a bastion of high-brow TV, along with HBO and AMC. It’s produced shows like Atlanta, Fargo, The Americans, Archer, and more recently, Shogun. But because it’s owned by Disney, it still airs several blockbusters in ... How to Watch FX With a Free Trial
How to Watch A&E With A Free Trial
If you’re a fan of true crime and insider docu-shows like The First 48 and Court Cam, then you’re probably already familiar with A&E. The cable channel is home to other reality TV gems like Hoarders, Duck Dynasty, and Storage Wars (they’ve moved on to spin-offs like Road Wars, Customer Wars, and Prison Wars now). ... How to Watch A&E With A Free Trial
How to Watch Unimás With a Free Trial
As the sister channel of the much bigger Univision, Unimás is home to popular Spanish-language telenovelas and talk shows (yes, including El Gordo y La Flaca), as well as a couple of sports events and programs. Most notably, however, Unimás also operates a couple of station affiliates around the country, so it also reports local ... How to Watch Unimás With a Free Trial
How to Watch TNT With A Free Trial
For many sports fans, TNT is a non-negotiable. It broadcasts NBA, MLB, NHL, college basketball, and All Elite Wrestling matches. And, as a bonus, it also has reruns of shows like Supernatural, Charmed, and NCIS, as well as films like The Avengers, Dune, and Justice League. But while TNT used to be a cable staple, ... How to Watch TNT With A Free Trial