Watch The Nazi Games - Berlin 1936

The Nazi Games - Berlin 1936 is a fascinating documentary that explores the dark history surrounding the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. Directed by British filmmaker Daniel Kontur, this remarkable film uses rarely seen archival footage, interviews with experts, and powerful first-hand accounts to reveal the true nature of the Nazis' propaganda-driven spectacle.

The documentary begins by setting the scene in Germany leading up to the games. We get a sense of the fervor and excitement that surrounded the Nazi regime at the time, with people lining the streets to cheer for Hitler and his henchmen. We see the construction of the Olympic village, with its grandiose buildings and sweeping vistas, and we learn about the meticulous planning and preparation that went into hosting the event.

However, beneath the surface glitz and glamour, it quickly becomes clear that the Nazis had much darker motives for hosting the Olympics. Through interviews with historians and journalists, we learn about how the Nazis sought to use the games as a PR opportunity, presenting Germany as a modern, progressive nation to the rest of the world. But at the same time, they were using the games as a way to promote their vile ideology of racial purity, and to present the notion of Aryan superiority to a global audience.

The film then moves on to explore some of the more sinister aspects of the games, such as the exclusion of Jewish athletes from the German team, and the tactics used to intimidate international visitors into keeping silent about the Nazi regime's abuses. We hear from Jewish athletes who were forced to compete for other countries or leave their sport altogether, and from black athletes who were deliberately snubbed by the American team due to segregationist policies.

One of the most powerful aspects of The Nazi Games - Berlin 1936 is the wealth of archival footage it presents. We see Adolf Hitler himself, delivering chilling speeches to the crowds at the games, and we see Nazi propaganda films that present a sanitized, idealized version of life under the regime. We also see footage of the events themselves, with thrilling and heartwarming moments such as Jesse Owens' stunning victory in the 100m dash, and also moments of horror, such as the athletic prowess of the Nazis' SS troops.

The film also presents a range of expert opinions on the significance of the games, and the lessons we can learn from them today. We hear from historians, sports journalists, and even former athletes themselves, who all offer their insights into the ways in which the games reflected the wider political climate of the time, and the lessons we can draw from the failings of the international community to respond more meaningfully to the Nazi regime's abuses.

Overall, The Nazi Games - Berlin 1936 is a masterful piece of filmmaking that manages to uncover the true meaning behind one of the most iconic moments in modern sporting history. Through its combination of powerful archival footage, interviews with experts, and heartrending first-hand accounts, it offers us a window into a dark and troubling period of human history, and urges us to remain vigilant in the face of hatred, propaganda, and cruelty, wherever it may occur.

The Nazi Games - Berlin 1936 is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 53 minutes.