The Double Headed Eagle: Introduction

This film is an invaluable resource for history teachers and students, providing a rare opportunity to observe the turbulence and poverty of Germany after World War I and the evolution of Hitler from anonymity as an ex-soldier to his first speech as Chancellor in 1933. The film charts the rise to power of Hitler and the Nazis through the chaos of the Weimar Republic. We see the transformation from low-key village gatherings to the mass rallies of Nuremburg. As well as the prominence of Hitler in the film we also witness the pivotal role played by Joseph Goebbels in building the party as well as his later role as propaganda minister.

There are enormous quantities of film and photography of the Nazi period 1933-45, but the 1920s is less well documented as the Nazis destroyed much of the film that existed. This film includes rarely seen newsreels, home movie footage and extracts from musicals and documentaries of the period (shown with English subtitles). The film does not use voice-over narration, allowing the viewer to see much of the footage as it was seen at the time, without the benefit of hindsight. It provides a broad view of German society and its people while most documentaries of this period focus on the political wranglings of the time.

There are some striking and poignant scenes that will provide unusual ways of discussing this period with students. For example, we see Albert Einstein and Thomas Mann leaving Germany followed by a speech by Goebbels on the 'Jewish problem'. There is also a film clip of a communist father trying to teach his son the Internationale when his son is heard singing a Nazi song. There are many close ups of the unemployed counterposed with the frolics of the rich at the beach or in the nightclubs.

The film is in chapters, each dedicated to a different year from the times. This makes it possible to watch in stages and easy to plan lessons around. It begins at the end of the Weimar and the beginning of Hitler's rule. The rest of the film is in chronological order from 1918/1919-the end of the First World War with images of destruction and destitution as well as the young Adolf Hitler in 1923 at a meeting of German Nationalists.

In 1926 we see the growing Nazi party at their public gatherings in Bavaria with bemused peasant onlookers and young Brownshirts waving to the camera; contrast with the raucous lifestyle of the Berlin nightclubs. Then we move to the 1927 rally at Nuremburg, the Hitler Youth and one of many beer hall battles. In 1929 Communist party rallies opposing the Nazis are documented and then the ravages of economic collapse can be seen.

By 1932 Hitler is on the verge of taking control and then appointed Chancellor by Hindenburg in January 1933. In this final chapter we see Nazis eagerly burning 'inappropriate' books and the quote from Heinrich Heiner - a nineteenth century author whose books were thrown on to those fires:

"Where books are burnt, in the end, people will burn."

This film is ideal for exploring a range of issues relating to the Nazi regime and how it has been represented on film, at AS and A2 Level History.

The film could also be useful for GCSE students of Modern World History syllabuses and Schools History Project units on Nazi Germany. It would be especially useful for GCSE revision purposes.

Learning objectives for History and cineliteracy:

The bfi has developed a guide Moving Images in the Classroom, which indicates how critical thinking about moving image media can be integrated across the curriculum. For example it suggests that

• Pupils should learn that there are different kinds of moving image texts which represent past events and individuals.
• These texts can have different values as historical sources.
• Producers and directors can use moving image texts to reflect their own views or to affect the audience in a particular way.

For more detail on these see pp22-23 of Moving Images in the Classroom