These extraordinary and never-before-seen home movies were filmed by a German-American family who visited Berlin and Germany during the Olympic Games in 1936. They give a good idea of what a tourist might have experienced. The film begins with shots aboard the liner Deutschland during the trans-Atlantic crossing, including a visit to the ship’s bridge, dancing on deck to music provided by the ship’s band, and more. At the 5 minute mark the ship arrives in Germany, probably Hamburg, and passengers disembark. Olympic displays are seen at the 5:45 mark, and throughout much of the rest of the film, along with the symbols of the German state. The Olympic torch is seen at the 6:20 mark, making its way across the city. Berlin Tempelhof Airport is seen at the 7 minute mark, with the Lufthansa Fokker trimotor aircraft “Oswald Boelcke” departing down the runway. At the 7:38 mark, there is extensive coverage of Berlin and the Olympic stadium area, with processions and banners visible. The Berlin Cathedral is seen at the 8 minute mark, bedecked with Nazi banners. At 9:13 the Olympic cauldron is seen with the flame visible. At 9:48 are shots of Unter den Linden with the Brandenburg Gate visible at 9:56. A huge parade is seen at the 10:50 mark ,most likely the parade of athletes. At 15:28, the Olympic torch is visible on its way to the stadium.
SS Deutschland was a 21,046 gross registered ton (GRT) German HAPAG ocean liner which was sunk in a British air attack on May 3, 1945 when it was in the process of being converted as a hospital ship. All people on-board the Deutschland survived the attack, though two accompanying vessels sank with great loss of life.
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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 and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
