Request Concert

Wunschkonzert (1940) combines a romantic storyline with clear messages that reflect the ideals of the Nazi regime. Directed by Eduard von Borsody, the film begins at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The tone is set with the imagery of the Olympics with scenes that emphasize national pride and collective spirit. These images establish the connection between personal lives and the broader goals of the state.

The movie tracks Ilse Werner's character and Carl Raddatz's Luftwaffe officer as they navigate love and duty. Their relationship often takes a backseat to military service, showing how individual desires are secondary to national responsibilities. This theme is reinforced by the central role of the "request concert," which ties the characters' lives to the similar lives of the likely German audience. The concert serves as a unifying element, blending entertainment with a sense of collective purpose.

The film uses visual techniques like crowd scenes and shots of synchronized movements to form an idea of community. These choices make this theme of community seem very important, reflecting the values promoted by the regime. At the same time, the musical elements, which are introduced late in the film, feel disconnected from the main story. This uneven pacing can make the film feel fragmented, which some critics have noted as a weakness.

Scholars, including Eric Rentschler in The Ministry of Illusion, have pointed out that films like Wunschkonzert were designed to provide comfort while reinforcing political ideas. The mix of romance, music, and military imagery in the film shows how entertainment was used to deliver subtle ideological messages.

The film may not be everyones cup of tea but it does offer the audience an idea of how cinema was used during Nazi Germany.