In this lecture, we think about how Hitler faked his charisma to lead Germany, focusing in particular on: (i) Triumph of the Will as the most famous Nazi propaganda film; (ii) the unusual position of Leni Riefenstahl as the director of Triump of the Will, despite the Nazi ministerial group being so masculine and Joseph Goebbels, Reich Minister of Propaganda, wanting to direct the film; (iii) Hitler’s arrival by plane at the beginning of Triumph of the Will, representing his power and pseudo-divinity; (iv) the Nazi self-presentation of being both traditional and modern; (v) Hitler’s presentation in Triumph of the Will as being one with the people of Germany; (vi) Heinrich Hoffmann, the only photographer that Hitler worked with as part of the tactics to curate his image; (vii) Hitler’s nickname of Gröfaz after the Blitzkrieg, meaning “Greatest Field Commander of All Time”; (viii) Hitler’s tendency to dress down, as part of his way of connecting with the German people; (ix) Hitler’s tendency to wear only his Iron Cross medal, as it was the only medal that could be earned regardless of military rank; (x) Hitler’s moustache as another key feature of his projected persona; (xi) modern populist leaders with striking haircuts being akin to Hitler’s moustache a part of his character; (xii) Hitler’s moustache being common among ordinary people in Germany; (xiii) the decline in large beards and moustaches which were popular in the late 19th century to the more practical and manageable moustaches of the 20th century; (xiv) Hitler’s moustache as a key contrasting feature with Wilhelm II; (xv) Hitler’s ‘toothbrush moustache’ not being a new look, having been sported by Charlie Chaplin years before; (xvi) Hitler’s decision to sport the ‘toothbrush moustache’ being based on its popularity amongst ordinary people at the time.

--

This clip is part of a larger course exploring Hitler’s mass appeal: https://massolit.io/courses/germany-t...

–

MASSOLIT works with university academics to produce short video lectures in the arts, sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is available to schools and colleges on an institutional license as well as via private subscription: https://www.massolit.io/?source=yt