Article: Hitler's history films: David Welch looks at the dramatisation of Fuhrerprinzip in the Nazi cinema, and how history films were used to propagate themes of anti-parliamentarianism and the concept of an individual leader of genius.

DURING THE THIRD REICH the state commissioned a number of extravagant historical films, intended to strike a chord with German audiences, and to reinforce the notion of Fuhrerprinzip (the leadership principle). The notion of a mystical figure embodying and guiding the nation's destiny was derived from volkisch thought, and Adolf Hitler was believed to have the will and power to actualise the Volksstaat (the people's state).

However, as the embodiment of the people's will, the God-like status bestowed upon Hitler posed certain problems for Nazi film-makers. Any dramatisation of him on screen would verge on the blasphemous, but there was no limit to the ways in ...

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