Leni Riefenstahl's groundbreaking documentary on the 1936 Summer Olympics is a remarkable piece of cinematic history, and a technical and artistic triumph. Employing advanced filming techniques that have now become industry standard for sports coverage, Riefenstahl was commissioned by the 1936 Olympic Committee to create a celebration of the human body and it's movements. Despite it's acclaim, the film also attracted strong criticism for what was viewed as it's promotion of Nazi ideologies towards athletic prowess and the Aryan race but, regardless of it's political context, the events on the track were no less awe-inspiring, not least the exploits of African-American Jesse Owens winning four gold medals as an amazed Hitler looked on.
C**L
Could Have Done Without the anti-Nazi Propaganda in the Synopsis
Great film, but am giving it 4 stars because it really could have done without the atypical anti-Nazi propaganda in the synopsis, particularly the myth of Hitler supposed disdain toward Jesse Owens, an American Olympic gold medalist.Noted in his biography "Triumph": Owens said, "Hitler didn't snub me – it was FDR who snubbed me. The president didn't even send me a telegram." On the other hand, Hitler sent Owens a commemorative inscribed cabinet photograph of himself. Jesse Owens was never invited to the White House nor were honors bestowed upon him by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
D**L
Not entertaining like The First Olympics
This is an interesting film to see - to help understand a little what was going on in Germany prior to WWII. Not entertaining like The First Olympics, but nonetheless informative.
L**N
not all the sports are here
I just finished reading "Boys in the Boat" which details the 1936 gold medal victory of the University of Washington 8 oar crew team. The book specifically mentions certain scenes that were filmed by Leni Riefenstahl for her Olympia movie which I was eager to see. However, that particular sport is not here! This DVD only shows discus, 100 meters, long jump, javelin, pole vault and marathon. What happened to the rest of the sports?!
G**P
Missing the "naughty parts"
Although the video quality may be higher than the "complete version", all the naughty bits are missing (nudity, nazi-ism). And really, aren't these the only parts we want to see? If you want to see the Olympics, tune to NBC next week!
A**N
Five Stars
very important, especially when read after The Boys in the Boat
H**N
Five Stars
Great
D**W
Classic Black-and-White Record of a Unique Sporting Event
OLYMPIA was split into two parts for its German release, but amalgamated into one elsewhere. I saw the amalgamated version, in which the principal focus of attention centered on the athletics. Riefenstahl's photography is quite outstanding; her sense of camera placement impeccable; her ability to define the individual in relationship to environment cannot be questioned. As a study in the human body and its potential, OLYMPIA cannot be faulted. However there is perhaps less to OLYMPIA than meets the eye: viewers looking to the film as a source of Nazi propaganda are likely to be disappointed. True, there are shots of Adolf Hitler clapping approvingly at German athletes winning gold medals; and shots of the swastika being raised during various ceremonies; but the film in this version adopts an even-handed approach to its material. The only suggestion of politics comes when the British and American athletes refuse to adopt the Nazi salute, both during the opening ceremony and during medal ceremonies; rather they salute as they might have done if they were acknowledging superior officers in the Army. As a record of a unique event, OLYMPIA cannot be faulted, but perhaps it should be treated first and foremost as a sports documentary rather than a piece of political propaganda.
M**Y
Arena visual entertainment version with HItler & Jesse Owens on the front.
This picture is on an excellently packaged DVD by Arena.Regrettably much of the film is missing - both because the edges of the frame are missing but mainly because the introduction to the Olympic coverage is absent. It sort of kills the film despite the quality of the work.I would not advise anyone who wants to see the Riefenstahl film to buy this. Sorry
R**W
Missing opening sequence.
The sole reason why I did not like this dvd version of this most brilliant film, is that the first 10 to 15 minutes of the original film areMISSING !! WHY?? Somebody, has taken it upon themselves to remove this most poetic and visually lyrical sequence.This was one of, if not the main reason, why I bought this dvd.With this most important and beautiful sequence cut. I would now like to return this dvd version to the seller.I am so very sad.
W**L
a bit of a ripoff
This is an inferior, unauthentic version of Leni Riefenstahl's film which has been re-cut for an inferior audience , unaware of the background Where is the introduction with the the Ancient Greek statues, And the diving sequences ? all that is missing
S**Y
Three Stars
Content of DVD was good but shorter duration than expected.
H**N
Not the original
This is a crudely edited 'version' of the original film, completely unrepresentative. It's like a highlights reel, and a poorly transferred one. Do not buy.
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