Mein
Kampf (DVD-Video/VCI)
Picture: C-
Sound: C- Extras: D Films: B
Mein Kampf is an older but still
interesting documentary that was made in 1961 and initially released by
Columbia Pictures. It's comprised
entirely of rare Nazi footage and still photographs, and details greatly how
Hitler rose to power and his exploits beyond.
The film carries something of an unusual tone in the way it carries
itself, and because of these rare glimpses at original footage of wartime
proceedings, it becomes even more powerful and shocking as it progresses and
situations worsen. But even in one of
the first scenes shown, when a ship is capsized in front of the rolling camera,
you're completely sucked into the situation and rendered breathless more so
than you could be through a reenactment of any kind. Nothing can compare to the
eerie feeling you get from witnessing this.
Although this documentary shows multiple signs of age - both in it’s approach
and it’s wear from the years, it still manages to keep pace and often crams in
more information than a lot of newer documentaries attempt to. Because of this, it might also seem a bit
tedious, if only it wasn't for the well-purposed use of the stock footage at
hand. As blunt as it may be, it still
holds your attention for some time. One
thing that should be made clear is that this film does not side with the Nazi
point of view or place them in an ideal light. Some might think otherwise upon
hearing the title and seeing the artwork that was chosen to represent the
disc. These choices were probably not
in the best of tastes; and while I suppose it is more attention getting the way
it is, it also leads the buyer into believing that the film is even more
graphic and even a completely different type of program than what you’d expect
otherwise.
As for the current look of the film, it would have
been nice to see this print surviving in better shape. However, it must be considered that the
footage was already about 20 years old upon this film’s initial release; and
adding to that, wartime conditions aren’t exactly ideal for filming to begin
with. So with that considered, this
probably doesn’t look as bad as was possible or even likely for a film of this
type.
Apart from the feature documentary, there is also
a shorter, undated one that came out of Britain; titled simply Adolf Hitler. Some of the information from the main
feature naturally repeats, but this film sometimes delves into a very slightly
more “whimsical” tone. Not that the
information is taken lightly, it just gives off a peculiar feel of it's
own. Maybe it’s a feeling only I got
while watching, but perhaps it had something to do with the film‘s narration in
some way.
Sadly, this film is even worse off than the other
is, and much of what remains is damaged throughout. However, it still remains watchable and is perhaps an alternative
for use in the classroom. On that note,
I'm not sure if the two documentaries here would be well suited for modern
teaching purposes, as the styles are simply dated; and because of the slower
pacing, not all of the information will run across to students in the desired
way. This disc is more geared to
history and war buffs and perhaps educational viewing for a college-level
audience who could probably sit through it longer without unintentionally
nodding off.
Both films are in black and white and their
quality, as mentioned above, is a bit of a toss-up. But due to the age and likely condition of the surviving prints,
all is understandable. As for sound,
nothing much has really been doctored up here either, and I suspect that both
films are presented in mono, or at best a much older stereo mix.
If you want to depart from the modern style of
documentaries for a bit for some reason or other, or just get a glimpse and
reminder of what actual war really looks like, then these films are recommended
viewing.
- David Milchick
