Commissioned to make a propaganda film about the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany, director Leni Riefenstahl created a celebration of the human form. This first half of her two-part film opens with a renowned introduction that compares modern Olympians to classical Greek heroes, then goes on to provide thrilling in-the-moment coverage of some of the games' most celebrated moments, including African-American athlete Jesse Owens winning a then-unprecedented four gold medals.

• DirectorLeni Riefenstahl
• Release21 April 1938
• GenreDocumentary
• Duration2h 7m
• Budget$550,000
• Revenue?
• Rate
  

  6.9
  111 reviews
• Productions

  Olympia-Film GmbH