Freundschaft siegt

This documentary is filled with blatant propaganda, but this is not surprising. What surprises is that both these aspects are so poorly done considering the talents involved. It is not more than an endless flow of images without any real concept of documentary; it looks more like a very long newsreel.

The propaganda is more or less shouted (by both commentary and image) at the viewer which makes it all the more insufferable; a poor example of how to make propaganda. Premise, a number of sequences, and the spirit of a new ideal, are clearly prompted by Triumph des Willens, but it has not its inspiration and technical brilliance. Freundschaft Siegt looses this filmic battle.

The historical and political value and the registration of Berlin are features that make this film still worth watching. And: no one is wrong all the time, and this film is no exception.