OLYMPIA -The LENI RIEFENSTAHL Archival Collection (1940)

This limited edition 2-disc set features the complete original version of OLYMPIA presented for the first time on DVD.Part 1: (Festival of the Nations) -Disc 1Riefenstahl shot a documentary that celebrates the human body by combining the poetry of bodies in motion with close-ups of athletes in the heat of competition. Includes Jesse Owen's sprint races at the 1936 Olympic games and Adolf Hitler looking on in amazement as Owens wins an unprecedented four Gold Medals.Part 2: (Festival of Beauty) -Disc 2Riefenstahl captures the grace of the athletes during field hockey soccer bicycling equestrian aquatic and gymnastic events. Highlights are the Pentathlon and the Decathlon which was won by American Glenn Morris; it ends with the triumphant conclusion of the games.Special Features:Two disc limited edition containing over 5 hours of material including JUGEND DER WELT ( Youth of The World ) Official Documentary of the 1936 Winter Olympics at Garmisch-Partenkirchen DIE KAMERA FAHRT MIT ( The Camera Goes Along ) 1936 Documentary by Bavaria-Filmkunst featuring footage from Leni Rifenstahl s films OLYMPIA and TRIUMPH OF THE WILL. Deleted Scenes Biography Still Gallery German and English languages with ON/OFF English subtitles Dolby 2.0 audio Essay.System Requirements:Running Time: 204 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 825307915990 Manufacturer No: PH-91599 Product Description

5 star film / 0 star transfer

I have watched many historical b&w films with poorer transfers/more distortion than this, so it isn't UNWATCHABLE to me. I think many reviewers are spoiled by HD clarity in movies, you can't expect clear visual perfection in a 70+ year old film. That said, I'm echoing the other reviewers' disappointment in the overall quality because this film is such a visual masterpiece. I expect much more effort to be put into it as a project, more respect for the material. This is obviously a VHS tape transfer, and I think 'ARCHIVAL COLLECTION' is misleading. If you don't mind distortion/scratches and really NEED to see this film, this DVD is just OK. I have seen a much cleaner version of this film on television once, bright and clear (must have been that Criterion laserdisc everyone talks about). I hope a cleaned up, proper version of this lovely film will be available on DVD, but until then this one will do. 3 stars altogether. May 2, 2008

How could they?

My parents took me to see Olympia at a Dartmouth College screening when I was younger. I have never forgotten the visual and creative impact of this film. Nothing comes remotely close to it's mystical and artistic beauty. I have waited in vain for a theater to re-release it or for there to be a screening of this masterpiece. Now I find that the DVD has been marred. Just because her politics were confused her magnum opus has to be destroyed? Not fair, not fooled. This is a glorious example of human artistic achievement. How could anyone disrespect it to this extent? Do they think they are "punishing" her? Shame on Criterion. March 3, 2008

Terrible quality

Very disappointing. The images are washed out: no definition, no crispness. Even as a reference copy it would be a strain on the eyes. Hard to understand why such a well known documentary was released in this poor condition. January 6, 2008

The Standard For Sport Film

Excellent and beautiful film. It is a technical masterpiece and Reifensthal's camera work and eiting sets a standard that modern sport reporting has sadly forgotten in its quest to report without art.

This copy would have gotten a 5 star rating, however it is a rather shabby copy of a videotape and as soon as a new restored digital version is available forget this one and purchase the new one.

Still, the art value of this work makes it a must purchase. Reifensthal's connection with Hitler and his inner circle puts her accomplishments in film as questionable in the minds of some, however, art should be separated, in my humble opinion, from ideology. Her art is of the highest quality and to that end I highly suggest this DVD (with the reservation on quality that I've mentioned). August 23, 2007

Magnificent movie -- absolutely horrible transfer

I hadn't seen Olympia since the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles when the first part was broadcast there. Since I don't buy VHS anymore I was glad to see it on DVD. I was disappointed by the awful transfer (from TAPE no less!), the lousy video compression, and the badly engineered audio compression that sounds like it was done at too low a bit rate due to the aliasing. HOWEVER, if you want this DVD for the movie that is contained on it then you will not be disappointed. Leni Riefenstahl's incredible skill in cinematography is on full display (as is her naked body at the beginning of the first part) and Herbert Windt's superb astounding musical score adds so much to it.

My recommendation? If you're a purist, wait for Criterion to bring out a DVD edition. Otherwise go rent it or buy a used copy. July 23, 2007

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