Part 2 of Leni Riefenstahl's documentary on the 1936 Olympics shows no sign of fatigue as she takes up where she left off with the same energy and grace to be found in the first section. In the second section more emphasis is given to the physique of the athletes that Riefenstahl gracefully captures in a poetic slo-mo of divers and gymnasts among others while being equally adept at editing furiously paced bike rides and steeplechases. With its more restrained opening, placing more attention on the athlete than the fan and celebrating rather than reportage "Beauty" might outshine "Nations" slightly but neither shortchanges. A classic documentary with or without its other half.
Review of Olympia Part Two: Festival of Beauty
