Watch Television Under the Swastika - History of Nazi TV.

Television Under the Swastika - History of Nazi TV is a comprehensive documentary that explores the role of television during the reign of Adolf Hitler's regime in Germany. The film takes us back in time to the early days of the Nazi era when television production was still in its infancy. With the support of the government, television programs began to spread Nazi propaganda far and wide, reaching millions of viewers across Germany.

The film features interviews with journalists, scholars, and former broadcasters who share their insights and experiences with the medium during the Third Reich. We hear from Eugen Hadamovsky, a prominent figure in the German broadcasting industry who rose to prominence as he brought Hitler's message of national unity and the glorification of the Aryan race into German homes. Adolf Heuser, a former SS officer and media expert, also shares his views and recollections of the era.

Through archival footage and expert analysis, the film examines how television was used to create a new national mythos. Images of heroic soldiers and patriotic Germans filled the screens as the propaganda machine worked to build support for Hitler's war machine. Filmmakers collaborated with the government to create films and TV shows that normalized Nazi ideology and demonized perceived enemies of the Reich, such as Jewish people, communists, and disabled individuals.

The film also reveals the complex relationship between the government and broadcasters, as well as the often unspoken role of self-censorship during the era. While some broadcasters saw themselves as propagandists, others viewed their work as simply entertaining and often sought to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable under Nazi rule. We see how censorship affected content, with shows and films being banned for being too bold or controversial.

Throughout the film, we see how the programming of the era evolved, from its beginnings in 1935 when television was used primarily as a tool for propaganda, to its final moments in the chaos of 1945 as allied forces advanced on Germany. We see how, in the final days of the war, television programming rapidly devolved into a desperate attempt to keep propaganda going even as the Reich collapsed.

Overall, Television Under the Swastika - History of Nazi TV is an illuminating and thought-provoking exploration of a little-known chapter in the history of television. The film provides an in-depth look at the role that TV played in the Nazi regime and how the medium was manipulated to promote a political agenda. Through expert commentary, archival footage, and interviews, the film shows us how the power of television can be used to shape public opinion and how ordinary people can be influenced by what they see on the screen.

Television Under the Swastika - History of Nazi TV. is a 1999 documentary with a runtime of 55 minutes.