The definitive biography of Leni Riefenstahl, the woman best known as “Hitler’s filmmaker,” one of the most fascinating and contr...
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Sep 08, 2010
David
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This book is a book about a woman who was a German who is dead (now). Before she was dead, she was alive and a dancer when she was younger, but dancer should really be in quotes because she danced like Ed Grimley sometimes, and at other times she danced like swatting wasp colonies and at still other times she danced like scraping dog poo off shoes. If you don't believe me (about the dancing), please see her first movie, which was a mountain movie called The Holy Mountain (1926). In the silent mo
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Nov 25, 2009
Steven
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This biography of Leni Riefenstahl by Steven Bach is compelling reading. It tells the tale of someone with great talent--but also someone who could never come honestly to grips with her role in Nazi Germany. Someone who, in the end, was a mediocre actress and dancer and a very talented filmmaker and photographer. But even with her successes, many felt that with Riefenstahl, she put as much focus on herself as on her works. And, with some of her works, critics noted that they were technically won
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Jan 19, 2010
Jill
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The author pulls no punches here as he dissects the amazing life of Leni Riefenstahl, Hitler's most effective propogandist. She denied her role and involvement in the Third Reich throughout her 101 year life but one has only to read this book and see even snippets of her films to realize that she was the consummate apologist for her own behavior. Bach has done considerable research and quotes from Riefenstahl's letters and Goebbles' diary which put paid to her denials and evasions.
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Sep 21, 2008
Greer
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This biography is the ultimate answer to any Riefenstahl apologist or admirer who claims that form can somehow be divorced from content, or anyone who holds Riefenstahl up as a feminist icon (she wasn't above using tears, tantrums, or flirtation to get her way). One only wishes that the evidence amassed by Bach had been available immediately following the war -- the fawning letters to "my Fuhrer," Goebbels' diary entries revealing their relationship wasn't as contentious as she claime
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Dec 19, 2009
Randy
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This is a fascinating book. Leni Riefenstahl was an actress and filmmaker in Nazi Germany who directed two of the most infamous, yet brilliantly made, propaganda films ever produced: "Triumph of the Will" and "Olympia." Mr. Bach also explores Riefenstahl's work on other films as both actress and director. Leni Riefenstahl is a fascinating historic character. Based on this book, had I known Leni, I probably would not have liked her. However, her life makes a very interes
Nov 30, 2009
Brian
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Fascinating and frustrating. You read the book and you can't help but think that Riefenstahl was made of Energizer batteries and Teflon. Bach portrays Riefenstahl as unambiguously opportunistic, someone who used her talents (supposedly undeniable when it came to filmmaking...I haven't seen her films) and everything but the kitchen sink to pursue her projects, no matter the disloyalties or casualties. Even up to her dying day, she lied and distorted history with no apologies. Bach doesn't re
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Mar 20, 2009
Whitney
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A really interesting read. Leni Riefenstahl has always intrigued me and this confirms my impression of her. It also gives an excellent glimpse in to pre-Nazi / Weimar Germany and the film studios there. It also shows her contradictory life and how she created a persona that conflicted with reality. I have renewed interest in seeing her films again, now knowing some of the background behind them
Aug 07, 2011
Missie
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A fascinating portrait. Leni is shown to be a lifelong narcissist who constantly changes her own life story to fit her needs at the given time. Bach never denies her talent for cinematography (visual framing and effects), but points out how difficult she was to work with and how much money she expended on every production (which probably explains her meager output, despite a long career in years).
Jan 18, 2009
Diane
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I viewed an exhibit of Leni Riefenstahl's work at the Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände in Nuremberg a few years ago. I was interested in Leni's work and her story.
I believe that this book was well researched. The author reported on the artistic achievements of Riefenstahl in addition to reporting on the her involvement with the Reich. Much to think about.
I believe that this book was well researched. The author reported on the artistic achievements of Riefenstahl in addition to reporting on the her involvement with the Reich. Much to think about.
Apr 16, 2010
Natalie
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i made it about half way through - moved slow, a lot of granular detail about relationships. would have liked more cultural context surrounding the stages of her life... maybe that happened eventually but i'll likely never know.
Nov 23, 2008
Mike
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An interesting and informative counterweight to the great director's post-war efforts to portray herself as the innocent artist who only pursued her genius. The genius is undoubted, the innocence not so much.
Jul 15, 2011
C. Paul
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If you like nazis, women, master manipulation, and film... you're golden... if you are looking for the most enthralling read... this just made me want to read her actual autobio... decent read
Feb 23, 2010
Matt
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Bach hacks through a lot of oft-contradictory bullshit, much of it spread by Riefenstahl herself, to create a mostly coherent narrative. Impressive, that. Still, it could be slightly less obviously anti-Riefenstahl. I'm not convinced Bach even likes her as an artist.
Mar 03, 2010
KC
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Eh, I'm stopping 50 pages from the end. I feel I have the information I need for my paper about her. FRankly, she isn't as interesting as I thought she'd be.
Sep 23, 2007
Peter
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Mr. Bach did his homework, and I suspect the fact that he is a man of the theater helped him know what to look for. He reveals that Riefenstahl's mother was Jewish, another reminder that the rotoscoped image of this period disguises a complex and ambiguous reality. His analysis of her cinematic innovations and work methods as evaluated by her peers is first-rate. This is a terrific view of a disconcertingly modern personality type.
Jan 16, 2009
Cari
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An in-depth portrait of a brilliant artist and ultimately cold, easily-detestable individual. The loathsome use to which she put her artistic energy in the service of the Third Reich overshadows the rest of her career and her life. A thorough (if biased...the author plainly feels nothing but antipathy for his subject) history of Riefenstahl, Hitler's propagandist and creator of the Triumph of the Will.
Jun 17, 2007
Lindsay
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Very interesting. I'm biased, since I'm already interested in anything German and have been curious about Leni Riefenstahl for years. The author had access to new sources about Leni, and this book is a great supplement to the film The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl.
Also, for librarians: very thorough footnotes and bibliography!
Also, for librarians: very thorough footnotes and bibliography!
Jul 10, 2008
Erin14
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I've been reading this one for awhile. It is RATHER dense so it is not a light read. It's a fascinating story of one woman's rise in a male-dominated world. Throughout, she denied that she ever knew what Hitler was REALLY doing in Europe. She didn't seem to care that others were being slaughtered as long as her star was on the rise.
Dec 27, 2007
Vivablur
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I am a couple of chapters into this book and I am enjoying the portrait of Weimar Germany and her single-minded ambition. Little acknowledged causes of the Third Reich- Alpine movies and inflation. I am also learning that Madonna has more than a little Leni in her, if you will forgive the imagery.
Jun 11, 2008
Jen
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This compelling biography was written by a former colleague of mine at Bennington college; Riefenstahl was a controversial filmmaker best known for the propaganda films she created for the Third Reich. Fascinating to read about her life and how her ambition surpassed any sense of morality.
Aug 07, 2008
Liga
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Bach is a master with capital M in balancing irony with facts to unmask the (not-so-)glossy Leni Riefestahl's life. Even though his writing is sometimes very dense with names and facts, the story is fascinating. She is a demon.
Jan 15, 2008
Emily
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An excellent approach to a very controversial figure. As the saying goes, denial is not just a river in Egypt.
Feb 09, 2012
Feb 01, 2012
