User reviews

an amazing discovery of colour footage tells the story of an extraordinary Munich weekend when Adolf Hitler and nearly the entire Nazi leadership attended a three-day national cultural festival--including concerts, dancing, exhibitions and a five-mile-long parade--titled "2,000 Years of German Culture". The film was shot in July 1939, just six weeks before the Second World War began, by an amateur film buff who filmed t the event in close-up on colour 16-millimeter Kodachrome. It was first shown only to the film maker's family, then hidden in the family cellar, where it lay for many years . English film makers Luke Holland and Paul Yule assembled an audience of elderly Germans, framing them watching themselves in the 1939 footage and reminiscing about their experiences. Among them were sons of the unofficial cameraman who shot the 16-millimeter film and the daughter of the publisher of Hitler's Mein Kampf, who in deference to Hitler's wish for "privacy" on visits to the publisher's home never said "Heil Mein Führer", but alway "Good Morning Mr. Hitler." The remarkable footage presents a rarely-seen view of Adolf Hitler relaxed against the background of a city in celebration and of the Munich crowds as complicit participants, sharing with their leader the excitement of the parade, which is reminiscent of parades from roman times rather than a modern day state.This is a really fantastic find and a must see for anyone interested in the subject, particularly as this is not an official Nazi propaganda film but an amateur enthusiast filming an event as it truly happened.

I saw this remarkable documentary when originally transmitted by Channel 4 about 10 years ago. I was amazed by the quality of the beautifully restored colour footage, considering it's age. The commentary is excellent, the surreal haunting soundtrack music a joy. A collection of people remembering the day are assembled, giving an insight into what the people of Germany thought of their leader at the time. Some are expressing normal fond memories whilst others speak of what the future held. Technically the program is astounding, the colour photography beautiful. The blending of the musical soundtrack to an obviously silent film is very imaginative. I only hope that this will be made available on DVD.