7. Triumph Of The Will
Perhaps the most chilling aspect of Triumph of the Will - aside from its unabashed Nazi propaganda - is how spectacularly well it is made. Ideas this despicable do not deserve such adept presentation, but director Leni Riefenstahl's astonishing technical prowess makes Hitler's Germany appear as a proud, patriotic wonderland in this infamous documentary. Released in 1935 as part of the campaign to encourage loyalty to the Third Reich, Riefenstahl's film uses some of the most innovative camerawork and shot-selection seen in worldwide cinema during this period, and is often begrudgingly regarded as one of the greatest documentaries ever made. Fueled by images of fierce nationalism from the 1934 Nuremberg rally, Triumph of the Will features several speeches from key Nazi leaders - including Adolf Hitler himself. Riefenstahl gloriously pans across the outstretched arms and shouts of colossal Nazi crowds, ensuring to soak up every drop of patriotic sweat. The image of the Fuhrer smirking alongside Rudolph Hess whilst thousands of young Germans perform the Nazi salute was a joyous sight for many patriotic Germans at the time. That's a scary thought. In hindsight, the film is nothing more than a celebration of evil, and to watch it is an absolutely chilling experience.