Olympia: Part One – Festival of the Nations (1940)

  • NR
  • 03/08/1940 (US)
  • Documentary
  • 2h 7m

Overview

Commissioned to make a propaganda film about the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, director Leni Riefenstahl created a celebration of the human form. This first half of her two-part film opens with a renowned introduction that compares modern Olympians to classical Greek heroes, then goes on to provide thrilling in-the-moment coverage of some of the games' most celebrated moments, including African-American athlete Jesse Owens winning a then-unprecedented four gold medals.

Leni Riefenstahl

Director, Writer

Cast

David Albritton's headshot

David Albritton

Self - High Jump, USA (uncredited)
Arvo Askola's headshot

Arvo Askola

Self - 10000 Metres, Finland (uncredited)
Jack Beresford's headshot

Jack Beresford

Self - Carries British Flag (uncredited)
Erwin Blask's headshot

Erwin Blask

Self - Hammer Throw, Germany (uncredited)
Sulo Bärlund's headshot

Sulo Bärlund

Self - Shot Put, Finland (uncredited)
Ibolya Csák's headshot

Ibolya Csák

Self - High Jump, Hungary (uncredited)
Glenn Cunningham's headshot

Glenn Cunningham

Self (uncredited)
Henri de Baillet-Latour's headshot

Henri de Baillet-Latour

Self - IOC, Stands with Hitler, with Hurdlers (uncredited)

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