Film: "The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl" Film Review by Peter Pen

Film: "The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl"
This paper describes and analyzes Ray Muller's documentary film "The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl", who is best known as a documentary filmmaker during the time of Hitler.
# 103387 | 1,055 words | 3 sources | APA | 2008
Published on May 09, 2008 in Film (Artist) , Film (Documentary) , Film (History of)


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Description:

The paper explains that title of the documentary "The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl" captures the controversy, which Leni Riefenstahl arouses and summarizes the nature of her film work. The author points out that Riefenstahl is popularly acknowledge for having made two of the best documentary films ever produced but they have been denounced for their inherently horrible ideology of Nazism and central figure Hitler. The paper relates that, while this documentary is objective by presenting her admirable qualities, the film also exposes an infinitely less attractive dimension to Riefenstahl's personality, her self-defensive, over-brimming with self-justification and unwaveringly unapologetic stance about the services she rendered to Hitler and the Nazi party. The author discusses the use of voiceovers, flashbacks and contrasts in the production of the film.

From the Paper:

""The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl" compels mixed reactions to its protagonist, evoking both admiration and aversion towards Riefenstahl. In one of the scenes, she is depicted as walking on a pier, carrying her own, undoubtedly heavy, scuba diving gear. Her much younger companions are walking ahead of her and neither offers to help her with her equipment and, indeed, her demeanor suggests that she would have rejected any offers of help. This scene would not have been remarkable were it not for the fact that Riefenstahl was over 90 at the time."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Downing, T. (2008) "Nazis and the Cinema." History Today, 58(3), 63.
  • Rentschler, E. (1985) "The Use and Abuse of Memory: New German Film and the Discourse of Bitburg." New German Critique, 36, 67-91.
  • Tegel, S. (2006) "Leni Riefenstahl: Art and Politics." Quarterly Review of Film & Video, 23(3), 185-200.

Cite this Film Review:

APA Format

Film: "The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl" (2008, May 09) Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/film-review/film-the-wonderful-horrible-life-of-leni-riefenstahl-103387/

MLA Format

"Film: "The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl"" 09 May 2008. Web. 27 September. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/film-review/film-the-wonderful-horrible-life-of-leni-riefenstahl-103387/>

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