Rings, Guido.  “Leni Riefenstahl’s Olympia: A Documentary Film as Instrument of Propaganda?”  Storia della Storiografia 36 (1999): 105-119.

            This article examines the question of Olympia as a propaganda film and largely concludes that it is indeed propaganda.  Much of its argument is derived by drawing parallels between the aesthetics of Olympia and the ideals espoused by National Socialism.  The author argues that in its depiction of the athletes the film glorifies the strong, healthy, and young and celebrates physical perfection, creating a cult of the idealized body that Nazism champions.  The sacrifice of the individual for the better of the community, epitomized in the marathon sequence as the runners visibly suffer for their nations’ glory, is also a key part of Nazi ideology conveyed in the film.  The author notes a militarist tone that celebrates discipline and unity over individuality throughout the film, especially during the parade and calisthenics sequences.  The article concludes by pointing out that although the film may not have explicitly been intended as propaganda, the fact that there existed propagandistic overtones meant German audiences, who were accustomed to such ideas being conveyed in their media, would make the political connections suggested by the film.

Other points relevant to this debate that the author mentions include, as other scholars have noted, that the shots of Hitler depict him as an average, relatable person, and he suggests that these shots are intercut with segments in which Germany is winning, thereby linking Hitler with the success of the nation.  While other scholars have praised Olympia for its seemingly fair treatment of the black athletes, Rings takes issue with the fact that they only appear on the podium as winners once, despite winning numerous times.  Overall the article takes a less forgiving stance towards the film, and its assessment of the political connotations of Olympia’s aesthetics is quite useful.  However, the author sometimes quotes German sources without providing an English translation, which can make a full comprehension difficult.