I have been watching Richard Stanley's the Secret Glory ever since it was included with the release of Dust Devil on DVD. Many years before I had picked up the Starlog issue, talking about the real "Indiana Jones". Of course I was younger and didn't really pay that close attention to it. When I saw this documentary, I connected the dots a much more clear and succinct way. Stanley's doc provided the missing pieces I needed to really drive my curiosity in the subject matter. Full disclosure, I already was a history buff; in particular WW2 and the Occult. Otto Rahn's story checks both those buckets. But a lesser filmmaker would've not pulled this off. A project like this takes passion and tenacity to pull off.
Otto Rahn is a fascinating historical figure. He became obsessed with finding the Holy Grail as he felt, from his research, that he more or less knew it's final resting place. Simultaneously he attracted the attention of Heinrich Himmler who of course would go on to pursue him, at first aiding in his quest, although for completely different reasons.
I could go on but then I'd spoil the documentary for you, dear reader. And I wouldn't want to do that.
Now there are a few things one can critique about the Secret Glory. The picture is a funky frame rate which wastes a lot of screen and the sound mix is sometimes distracting as you cannot quite here the subjects speaking due to the sound design being mixed too high. There are subtitles though that work well and it isn't a constant issue.
Technical issues can be very easily overlooked as the content is worth its weight in gold. And it's all about content. I have watched Secret Glory at least 7 to 10 times. Probably more. I seem to pick up on something new or something different than I previously recalled with every viewing and to me that speaks volumes to how well put together this documentary is.
Fingers crossed that someday we see a feature length film about the life of Herr Rahn.
