“ XI OLYMPICS “ 1936 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES BERLIN, GERMANY TRACK & FIELD / EQUESTRIAN EVENTS 66274

Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website Disclaimer: this film may contain symbols and elements from the fascist era in Germany. Viewer discretion is advised. This historic film from Germany (and with voiceover in German) shows footage of the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, Germany. This was quite an ominous Olympics held prior to the start of the Second World War, and the film contains many pro-German elements which can be considered as propaganda. Hitler constructed a massive stadium specifically for the Olympics in order to outdo the previous 1932 Los Angeles games. Hitler saw the games as an opportunity to begin to push his government and racial ideas on an international stage. This is also the Olympics during which Jesse Owens won four gold medals for the USA in spite of harsh criticism against participating in the games (which of course were held in a racist country whose leaders believed in eugenics and the so-called “master race“ theory). The film opens with an ad for Bayer (:37). The outside of the Olympiastadion (:37) in Olympiapark Berlin in Berlin. German flags line the wall as pedestrians await the start of the event (:47). Adolph arrives to begin the 11th annual Summer Olympics (2:40). The LZ-129 Hindenburg floats above Berlin (3:28). The camera enters the stadium (4:03) panning over the jammed seats (4:54). A Nazi salute (7:10) precludes Japan’s team of athletes (7:30). The German team arrives (8:13). The Olympic flag is raised (8:52) and ceremonial cannons are fired (9:15). The Olympic torch is lit (10:21). A gun blows as the first meter race (11:07). Jesse Owens took gold in both the 100 and 200 meter race. Athletes spring over hurdles in the 110 meter hurdles and the 400 meter hurdles (14:09). The camera pans to the scoreboard (17:06). The marathon race begins (18:13) to be won by Japan’s Son Kitei. A runner takes a moment to cool off (19:35). The high jump section begins (22:12). Slow motion footage shows athletes straining over the jumps (23:44). The pole vault begins (24:14); to be won by Earl Meadows of the United States. Crowds erupt in cheers (26:05). Temporary homes for the athletes are nestled in a wooded area outside the stadium (26:44). A recreational game of soccer is enjoyed (27:11). Polo returned to the summer Olympics for this game and this was to be the last time the game was contested (27:26). Argentina would take the win. Athletes and servicemen enter a nearby drugstore (27:37). Card games are enjoyed during down time (27:49). A bartender shakes and mixes drinks in between events (28:56). A fat white swan dips below the waters in a nearby lake (29:51). Diving at the 1936 Olympics begins (30:55). There were four diving events won by Richard Degener, Dorothy Poynton Hill, Marjorie Gestring, and Marshall Wayne. Slow motion footage follows of divers in motion (31:14). The camera flicks to the scorecard (32:50). An emotional Rie Mastenbroek steps from the pool after the 100 meter freestyle (35:08). Water polo begins as the net is added to the pool (36:24). Hungry would take the win. A man shouts newspaper headlines in the streets (38:34) waving his paper. The parking lot is shown to be jammed with attendants (38:47). Guests mill outside the entryway (39:08). The coin toss signifies the beginning of the football game; also known as soccer to the United States (39:53). A view is provided from the ground behind the net (41:26). Athletes and the crowd celebrate as a goal is sunk (42:55). The gymnastics event begins (43:30). The men’s ring’s section follows (44:12). Scenes from the football game interject (47:11). The equestrian section included dressage, eventing and show jumping (48:20). The course for this event was designed by August Andreae. Horse and rider soar over jumps and into water (48:38). Adolph watches the show jumping section (50:52). A low shot from the ground shows horse and rider going over the jump (51:21). Another horse and rider plow through the jump (51:33). Another shot captures Hitler applauding the show (52:41). Horse and rider leap over barriers with ease (52:50). The German team takes a run (53:50) and they would win their fifth equestrian gold medal here. The Olympic torch is captured still ablaze (54:33). The film begins to wrap up as the sun begins to dip lower (54:42). A salute concludes the film as the Olympic flag is lowered (54:52) and the competing nation’s ceremoniously lower their own flags (54:59). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
Back to Top