Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations
Original title: Olympia 1. Teil - Fest der Völker
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
The document of the 1936 Olympics at Berlin.The document of the 1936 Olympics at Berlin.The document of the 1936 Olympics at Berlin.
- Awards
- 2 wins
David Albritton
- Self - High Jump, USA
- (uncredited)
Arvo Askola
- Self - 10000 Metres, FIN
- (uncredited)
Jack Beresford
- Self - Carries British Flag
- (uncredited)
Erwin Blask
- Self - Hammer Throw, German
- (uncredited)
Sulo Bärlund
- Self - Shot Put, Finland
- (uncredited)
Ibolya Csák
- Self - High Jump, Hungary
- (uncredited)
Glenn Cunningham
- Self
- (uncredited)
Philip Edwards
- Self - 800 Metres, Canada
- (uncredited)
Donald Finlay
- Self - 110m Hurdles, GB
- (uncredited)
Tilly Fleischer
- Self - Javelin Throw, Germany
- (uncredited)
Wilhelm Frick
- Self - Spectator
- (uncredited)
Joseph Goebbels
- Self - Spectator
- (uncredited)
Hermann Göring
- Self - Spectator
- (uncredited)
Ernest Harper
- Self - Marathon, GB
- (uncredited)
Karl Hein
- Self - Hammer Throw, Germany
- (uncredited)
Heinz Herman
- German flag carrier
- (uncredited)
Rudolf Hess
- Self - Stands with Hitler
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLeni Riefenstahl's visit to the United States in 1938 was mainly aimed at finding a US distributor for the film. Faced with fierce protests from many American organizations, in particular the 'Anti-Nazi League', her plan never came to fruition. The first screening in the United States was organised in Chicago in November 1938 by Avery Brundage, president of the US Olympic Committee and an ardent Nazi sympathiser. The private reception was hosted by Mrs. Claire Dux Swift, ex-wife of the German film star Hans Albers. The second screening (also private) took place on 14th December 1938 at the California Club in presence of Olympic medalists and screen Tarzans Johnny Weissmuller and Glenn Morris (Riefenstahl's ex-lover), as well as Olympic diver Marjorie Gestring. For this screening, Riefenstahl submitted a copy where she had edited out almost all the scenes featuring Hitler.
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA srl, " HE HOLY MOUNTAIN ("La montagna dell'amore" o "La montagna del destino", 1926) + OLYMPIA 1 & 2 (1936-1938)" (2 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsEdited into Request Concert (1940)
- SoundtracksOlympische Hymnne
Composed by Richard Strauss
Featured review
A masterpiece of camera-work but surely not an easy watch!
Whether you think Leni Riefenstahl was a Nazi or not, nobody can deny that she does take a neutral stance in this film. Indeed, it is surprising to hear the American national anthem being played in a German film of the Nazi era. Another gem in the film is to see Leni quietly glorifying the figure of black American athlete Jesse Owens, who famously disappointed Hitler by winning 'too many' medals for his taste. She looks at him as an athlete, and observes his cyborg-like body. When Jesse wins, the people whistle, but that's not important, as the American national anthem will cover them off.
There is no doubt, the strength of this film is the cinematography. Riefenstahl did in Germany what Vertov did in Russia, only her style comes closer to today's tele-reportage than the Russian's. There are other fundamental differences between the two.
Olympia as a whole (part I and 2) stands proudly. Yet, although the real trick was to film the actual footage as it happened, using pioneer effects of slow motion, fast motion and precise framing, the good stuff is found in the recreations, particularly at the start of part II, which portrays a 'gods-like temple' where the athletes relax in sight of their following tests.
It's an admirable work, but as a lot of the old cinema, it is outdated. While 'Triumph of the Will' really wasn't as much (possibly because it's easier to plan an event that takes place in a shorter time, such as the Nuremberg Rally, as a lengthy event like the Olympic games), Olympia is lengthy, and overall, not an easy watch. In some bits, it's hard not to be tempted by the fast forward button on the remote control. But there is no denying that this is another testimony of Leni Riefenstahl's often underrated and mostly willingly obscured influence.
There is no doubt, the strength of this film is the cinematography. Riefenstahl did in Germany what Vertov did in Russia, only her style comes closer to today's tele-reportage than the Russian's. There are other fundamental differences between the two.
Olympia as a whole (part I and 2) stands proudly. Yet, although the real trick was to film the actual footage as it happened, using pioneer effects of slow motion, fast motion and precise framing, the good stuff is found in the recreations, particularly at the start of part II, which portrays a 'gods-like temple' where the athletes relax in sight of their following tests.
It's an admirable work, but as a lot of the old cinema, it is outdated. While 'Triumph of the Will' really wasn't as much (possibly because it's easier to plan an event that takes place in a shorter time, such as the Nuremberg Rally, as a lengthy event like the Olympic games), Olympia is lengthy, and overall, not an easy watch. In some bits, it's hard not to be tempted by the fast forward button on the remote control. But there is no denying that this is another testimony of Leni Riefenstahl's often underrated and mostly willingly obscured influence.
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- peapulation
- Oct 24, 2008
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- The Olympiad
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 51 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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By what name was Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations (1938) officially released in India in English?
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