'Triumph of the Will' as a paradigm of non-verbal communication of the Third Reich

Abstract

The aim of this study is to confirm the importance of non-verbal communication both in the process of genuine mass communication, and in propaganda, on one hand, and on the other hand, to point out to the importance of film and media culture in the construction and preservation of political ideology. Extralinguistic, proxemic, paralinguistic and ambiental elements in Leni Riefenstahl's Triumph of the Will are skillful combined by the film language, conveying a strong political message of Nazi Germany. The analysis of Hitler's speeches in Luitipold Hall on the closing ceremony of the 6th Congress indicates the secondary importance of verbal rhetoric when compared to the dominance of 'body language', which the Fuehrer studied and applied, paying a lot of attention to detail. This paper also discusses the construction of identity of German people, members of the NSDAP and its leader through non-verbal symbols. The question of media effects of this documentary is raised, as well as the question whether the film has served to art or nazism. The author once again points out the impossibility of achieving objectivity and neutrality in mediation, confirming the theory that documentary film is one of the most suitable formats to achieve manipulation.