Department of Film (Nazi Germany)
Encyclopedia
The Department of Film was one of five departments that comprised the Central Party Propaganda Office
of the NSDAP, established by Adolf Hitler
in 1933 as part of the Reichspropagandaleitung. The Central Party Propaganda Office was separate from the official government Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
, although both groups were run by Joseph Goebbels
. Goebbels was named Reichspropagandaleiter and given total control of Germany's press and film "for the spreading of the National Socialist world view to the entire German people"
. The Department's main duty was organizing film shows "suitable for public enlightenment and education" . The head of the Department of Film (called the Reichsamtsleiter) was Karl Neumann.
Film was one of the most important forms of propaganda
in Nazi Germany
because it was easily attained by all people. Hitler himself declared it superior to the written word, which required "arduous reading" to understand . The importance of film propaganda is underscored by the fact that 45 million people attended the film shows put on by the NSDAP . Reichsamtsleiter Neumann declared that the goal of the Department of Film was not directly political in nature, but was rather to influence the culture, education, and entertainment of the general population.
The strong emphasis the Nazi Party placed on film was also influenced by the personal feelings of Hitler and Goebbels, both of whom were fascinated by the medium. Both men regularly showed films in their homes and often discussed movies and moviemaking.
The Department of Film consisted of seven distinct offices, each of which oversaw a specific area related to Germany's film propaganda:
The Office of Slides was actually a separate body, known as the Gaubildstelle
, which was under the supervision of the Department of Film. The Gaubildstelle archived all slides and images of important events, which were then organized and screened by the Department of Film. The Department selected and screened films that focused on "the virtues of the Aryan type, German military and industrial strength, and the evils of the Nazi's enemies". Often these propaganda films focused on Germany’s enemies, particularly to foster anti-British sentiment among the public.The Film Office provided local groups with films, while the leader of the local group was responsible for all preparations.
The Department produced few films before 1939, when Neumann
pushed for a greater output. The precise number of films produced during the reign of the Third Reich has been lost, but scholars estimate that between 1150 and 1350 feature films were made. One example of film created and endorsed by the Department for Film was The Eternal Jew.
Nazi propaganda
Propaganda, the coordinated attempt to influence public opinion through the use of media, was skillfully used by the NSDAP in the years leading up to and during Adolf Hitler's leadership of Germany...
of the NSDAP, established by Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
in 1933 as part of the Reichspropagandaleitung. The Central Party Propaganda Office was separate from the official government Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
The Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda was Nazi Germany's ministry that enforced Nazi Party ideology in Germany and regulated its culture and society. Founded on March 13, 1933, by Adolf Hitler's new National Socialist government, the Ministry was headed by Dr...
, although both groups were run by Joseph Goebbels
Joseph Goebbels
Paul Joseph Goebbels was a German politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. As one of Adolf Hitler's closest associates and most devout followers, he was known for his zealous oratory and anti-Semitism...
. Goebbels was named Reichspropagandaleiter and given total control of Germany's press and film "for the spreading of the National Socialist world view to the entire German people"
. The Department's main duty was organizing film shows "suitable for public enlightenment and education" . The head of the Department of Film (called the Reichsamtsleiter) was Karl Neumann.
Film was one of the most important forms of propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
in Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
because it was easily attained by all people. Hitler himself declared it superior to the written word, which required "arduous reading" to understand . The importance of film propaganda is underscored by the fact that 45 million people attended the film shows put on by the NSDAP . Reichsamtsleiter Neumann declared that the goal of the Department of Film was not directly political in nature, but was rather to influence the culture, education, and entertainment of the general population.
The strong emphasis the Nazi Party placed on film was also influenced by the personal feelings of Hitler and Goebbels, both of whom were fascinated by the medium. Both men regularly showed films in their homes and often discussed movies and moviemaking.
The Department of Film consisted of seven distinct offices, each of which oversaw a specific area related to Germany's film propaganda:
- Organization
- Bookkeeping
- Production and Equipment
- Dramaturgy
- Cultural Films
- Press Office
- Slides
The Office of Slides was actually a separate body, known as the Gaubildstelle
Gaubildstelle
In Nazi Germany, the Gaubildstelle was the office that arranged Nazi party meetings and political rallies. The group consisted primarily of journalists and amateur photographers, who became known for creating elaborate slide shows to be presented during the meetings....
, which was under the supervision of the Department of Film. The Gaubildstelle archived all slides and images of important events, which were then organized and screened by the Department of Film. The Department selected and screened films that focused on "the virtues of the Aryan type, German military and industrial strength, and the evils of the Nazi's enemies". Often these propaganda films focused on Germany’s enemies, particularly to foster anti-British sentiment among the public.The Film Office provided local groups with films, while the leader of the local group was responsible for all preparations.
The Department produced few films before 1939, when Neumann
Neumann
Neumann may refer to:*Alfred Neumann, German writer*Alfred Neumann, East German politician*Bernd Neumann, German politician*Bernhard Neumann, German-born mathematician...
pushed for a greater output. The precise number of films produced during the reign of the Third Reich has been lost, but scholars estimate that between 1150 and 1350 feature films were made. One example of film created and endorsed by the Department for Film was The Eternal Jew.