Of the over 1000 movies made in Germany during the Nazi era, 40 of them are still banned from public showing in that country, except under special circumstances. (Or, at least, that was the case in 2014, when this documentary was made.) Forbidden Films is a look at these movies and the ethical dilemmas they create. Clips from various of the more egregious propaganda movies are shown, alternating with talking head shots of scholars and film makers who discuss their merits, or lack thereof. There are also shot of audience members' reactions at selected screenings of the movies. And then there is the interview with two neo-Nazis who discuss how the movies are still being used as recruitment tools. Among the issues raised are whether it will ever be safe to allow unfettered access to the movies, wouldn't controlled showings be useful as an educational tool and whether by censoring the movies, the German government isn't actually enhancing interest in them. Lots of food for thought with no easy answers.
4 Reviews
When The Nazis Devils Ruled Their Propaganda Flourished
StrictlyConfidential12 May 2020
Are you ready for "Forbidden Films"!!??
This very surprising and equally shocking documentary looks at the hate films that the Nazis gleefully produced in the years from 1933-1945.
Impressively directed by Felix Moeller - "Forbidden Films" is definitely a historically significant presentation that shows viewers what incredible lengths the Nazis went to in order to purposely manipulate the German people and ignite their prejudices against their so-called "enemies".
Yes. When viewing clips of these devious propaganda films today (70+ years later), they often do come across as being downright laughable - But, when they were initially screened for their German audiences, they left an undeniable impact on these people that convinced them to vent their hate on their intended targets without conscience.
This very surprising and equally shocking documentary looks at the hate films that the Nazis gleefully produced in the years from 1933-1945.
Impressively directed by Felix Moeller - "Forbidden Films" is definitely a historically significant presentation that shows viewers what incredible lengths the Nazis went to in order to purposely manipulate the German people and ignite their prejudices against their so-called "enemies".
Yes. When viewing clips of these devious propaganda films today (70+ years later), they often do come across as being downright laughable - But, when they were initially screened for their German audiences, they left an undeniable impact on these people that convinced them to vent their hate on their intended targets without conscience.
Not what it should be
dbborroughs25 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This examination of Nazi produced films that are still banned in Germany and elsewhere is a mixed bag. While it does highlight the films considered too dangerous to show, the film also operates in a vacuum failing to connect the films to the current real world or to each other.
Looking at the 40 films still banned, down from an original 300 titles, the film talks about the films and their popularity with out really explaining what the films are or giving them context. Saying that the film THE GREAT LOVE had more people see it in Germany than AVATAR is all well and good but considering there was no TV, internet or many of today's entertainment choices is misleading, especially since more people went to the theater in the 30's and 40's than they do now.
The film also doesn't really explain what any of the films are about. What is UNCLE KRUGER and what makes it so dangerous especially considering that Hollywood was going to produce a version of it? Thats a problem that pretty much every film discussed faces- what the heck are the films and why are they dangerous? (yes things like JUDE SUSS are put into context but the rest aren't.
Largely this is a lot of people talking about films which we know very little about. While the discussion of the potential danger of films (in general) is extremely well handled and gives you much food for thought. The discussions are spot on and worth seeing.
The problem is since we are never given the specifics we're kind of adrift in deciding if the films really pose any sort of threat. Personally I've seen some of the films discussed over the years and outside of JUDE SUSS, ETERNAL JEW and a few others, I'm left scratching my head about why they pose a danger. Why are these films still banned? We're not told nor are we given excerpts to decide for ourselves.
For me FORBIDDEN FILMS is a missed opportunity. It's an debate about a subject where the person who wants to engage us makes some very valid points in their favor, but at the same time refuses to give us enough information for us to actually carry on a dialog with them.
Looking at the 40 films still banned, down from an original 300 titles, the film talks about the films and their popularity with out really explaining what the films are or giving them context. Saying that the film THE GREAT LOVE had more people see it in Germany than AVATAR is all well and good but considering there was no TV, internet or many of today's entertainment choices is misleading, especially since more people went to the theater in the 30's and 40's than they do now.
The film also doesn't really explain what any of the films are about. What is UNCLE KRUGER and what makes it so dangerous especially considering that Hollywood was going to produce a version of it? Thats a problem that pretty much every film discussed faces- what the heck are the films and why are they dangerous? (yes things like JUDE SUSS are put into context but the rest aren't.
Largely this is a lot of people talking about films which we know very little about. While the discussion of the potential danger of films (in general) is extremely well handled and gives you much food for thought. The discussions are spot on and worth seeing.
The problem is since we are never given the specifics we're kind of adrift in deciding if the films really pose any sort of threat. Personally I've seen some of the films discussed over the years and outside of JUDE SUSS, ETERNAL JEW and a few others, I'm left scratching my head about why they pose a danger. Why are these films still banned? We're not told nor are we given excerpts to decide for ourselves.
For me FORBIDDEN FILMS is a missed opportunity. It's an debate about a subject where the person who wants to engage us makes some very valid points in their favor, but at the same time refuses to give us enough information for us to actually carry on a dialog with them.
Documentary with zero original research
mutilator-8815621 April 2024
The premise here is that there are a couple of dangerous German WW2 of movies securely locked in vaults and modern day (for 2014) reactions to them and the justification for their censorship. That's the "documentary". A lot of present day discussion with academic people and students but no historical analysis in either political sense or biographic details. Those movies just "exist". Perhaps the more entertaining part is the collective hysteria regarding the movies shown and praise for how powerful and entertaining they are despite they coming from a distant past. Well, fast-forward to present day big entertainment and corporate news washes out the population with ideological and state-sponsored propaganda.
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