logos.jpg“History is not about the facts. It is about the context and who is telling the story.” —Prof. Milton Fine. 

"Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past."   –– George Orwell in his novel "1984." 

"Whoever doubts the exclusive guilt of Germany for the Second World War destroys the foundation of post–war politics." ––  Prof. Theodor Eschenberg, Rector, the University of Tübingen.

"If we have our own why in life, we shall get along with almost any how."         –  Friedrich Nietzsche

 

POSTER GALLERY  --view

over 500 German film

original posters betweenpngtree-15-years-anniversary-logo-with-ribbon-png-image_5280377-1812814530.jpg

1927–1954  from

Germany and from

many Axis and Neutral countries

across Europe!  

 

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Bengasi

 

 

Augusto Genina's war propaganda film Bengasi  (1941) celebrated the Italian victory over the British and Commonwealth soldiers during the African campaign in Libya.

 

In one scene in the film, a group of Australian soldiers is shown as uncouth thugs who kill an Italian migrant on his farm after he answered their questions, for no reason. The film won the "Mussolini Cup" film prize at the 1942 Venice Film Festival.

 

The film's listing in the DIFU (German–Italian Film Union distribution company) catalogue for 1941/1942, which brought Italian fascist films into Germany with sychronised (dubbed) soundtracks. The film was actually never shown in Germany, as Dr. Goebbels was furious that the efforts of the German troops in the battle were completely ignored:

The film Benghazi had its first performance at the Venice Biennale in September 1942, two months after the final loss of Benghazi. Goebbels did not attend the performance because in his opinion the film was a 'falsification of history, but on the other hand, he was anxious to 'show the strictest reserve' so as 'not to upset' the Italians. When the film was to be shown in Germany about the end of October 1942 he refused his authorisation. In a note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he justified his ban on the grounds 'that a large number of German troops are familiar with the actual developments at Benghazi and that a showing in the Reich might therefore lead to undesirable comment about Italians. Besides, it might be pointed out to the Italians that not a single German soldier is to be seen in the whole film, a circumstance which might likewise produce an unfavourable effect on the public mood.’

 ----The Secret Conferences of Dr. Goebbels, Willi A: Boelcke, E.P.Dutton & Co, NY, NY 1970, pg. 204

 

Also, b this time Rommel's setbacks in 1942 –– due to his battle plans being deciphered by the British,–– meant such a film about Axis victories in North Africa was no longer believable.  The full- uncut DIFU version of the film exists and there is a project whereby it may be released on DVD in 2024.

DIFUBengasi.jpg

 

As the film was banned in German cinemas after being advertised, due to the retreat of Rommel's forces from Bengasi, little propaganda about the film remains. We do however have the DIFU flyer promoting the film just before it was withdrawn from distribution:

 

Bengasi-flyer-A-430.jpg

 

Bengasi-flyerB-430.jpg

 

Advertisement in the popular weekly German film magazine, FILMWELT, promotiing BENGASI and the other main DIFU war film, GIARABUB, in the March 3, 1943 issue. Only the latter title was actually shown to audiences.

 

cec1edb4847c4bb175349b8e523e40ba_f2856.jpg

 
Year
1941
 
Director
Genina
 
Country
Italy