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Call#: Van Pelt Library PN1993.5.G3 L3813 1974
Call#: Van Pelt Library PN1993.5.G3 L3813 1974
Call#: Van Pelt Library PN1993.5.G3 L3813 1974
This chapter explains the role of propaganda, specifically Joseph Goebbels' administration of it; Goebbels was minister of propaganda. Hitler defined the primary goal of propaganda as educating the masses on “the essence and function of the State” (Leiser 11). Hitler wanted film’s only purpose to be propaganda, but Goebbels disagreed, using subtler methods of propaganda. Goebbels was moved by film. He specifically admired Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin. Goebbels made his films non-political so that audiences would not suspect political motives, but in reality every film was embedded with political propaganda. Goebbels preferred “people…to be manipulated without being shown the direction in which they were being led” (Leiser 12). This method of manipulation was thought to be more effective. He used different storylines to indirectly parallel it to the Nazi agenda. Goebbels was an ever-present force in film. He influenced basically every film made in Nazi Germany. His great influence was often resented by directors such as Viet Harlan. In general, Nazi films reaffirmed stereotypes and morals deemed important to the Nazis. These morals were enough for some “non-political” films to be passable by Goebbels as a form of propaganda since they were promoting a unified culture approved by the Nazi Party.
Goebbels recognized the effectiveness of film as a tool for propaganda and manipulation. He realized that film was necesary in keeping Germany unified culturally and politically. He was ultimately the man behind the whole propaganda campaign, meaning the he can be credited for all its successes as well as all its downfalls. This means that Goebbels can be blamed for the wasteful film productions at the end of the war. Kolberg is one of the feature films produced at the end of the war that did not have an overt political message and served no purpose because it could not inspire the German citizens to win the war when they were two months away from defeat. Ultimately, as minister of propaganda and being entrusted with so much power Goebbels becam too absorbed in film production and did not think rationally about the purpose of each film produced. The chapter describes how Goebbels had a fascination with film. Goebbels cites several films that "made an 'indelible impression' on him" (Leiser 10). This passion for film may have clouded Goebbels' jugement in the determination of the importance of film production at the end of the war; this film production conflicted with the war effort.
tagged adolph_hitler cine_101 film film_history germany joseph_goebbels nazi_cinema propaganda by lcuzz ...on 02-DEC-08
Miller. Peter. " Evil genius of Hitler's propaganda machine," Sunday Times (London) 05 Jul 1992. LexisNexis. 29 Nov 2008
This article is about Joseph Goebbels and his pivotal role in the formation of Adolph Hitler’s status and power. Goebbels was one of few individuals that realized early on the importance of the support of the masses in attaining power. As minister of propaganda, Goebbels was in charge of making sure that the citizens perceived all information the way that the Nazi Party wanted them to. While originally he was against Hitler, he soon recognized Hitler’s great oratory talents. While Hitler was the orator that delivered the message to the German people, Goebbels was the one making sure that the content of the message was, indeed, the "proper" message to be relayed to the masses. Goebbels utilized radio, television, and cinema to spread his propaganda. He was very effective with this media and realized their importance in fostering public support. Through this manipulation of the public did Goebbels enable the Nazi Party to accomplish its many terrible deeds. Goebbels was very committed to the Nazi cause and arguably was just as or even more important to many of its “accomplishments” than Hitler. Like Hitler, Goebbels and his family also suffered a bloody fate.
Goebbels realized that before the Nazi Party could gain power and take over the state, they had to win over the hearts and minds of the people. Because of the importance of fostering the support of the masses, Goebbels placed such a great emphasis on propaganda. His use of film allowed his propaganda to most effectively reach the masses. Film was the most influential medium for propaganda because it allowed for great subtlety in the portrayal of the message the Nazis wanted. The importance of film as a tool for propaganda and Joseph Gobbels’ high priority of attaining the support of the German public as minister of propaganda led to an overemphasis of the value of film, specifically when he unwisely allocated an excessive amount of money and troops—much needed resources for the war—to the making of the film Kolberg.
tagged adolf_hitler biographical germany joseph_goebbels nazi newspaper propaganda by lcuzz ...on 02-DEC-08
