Changing Representations of Nazism in Post-War Popular Culture

On the Depiction of Nazi Characters and the Role of the Holocaust in American Film

Master's Thesis , 2012 , 53 Pages , Grade: 1,0

American Studies - Miscellaneous

Representations of Nazism and the general setting of movies, series and comic books in Germany during the time of World War II have been incredibly popular ever since the war ended. Since the American film industry has always been regarded as one of the great pioneers concerning film and popular culture, this paper focuses mainly on the American view of Nazism in movies and how its evaluation has changed over time.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
• 2. The Early 1940s and the Immediate Post-War Era
• 3. The 1960s and the 1970s
• 4. The 1980s and the 1990s
• 5. The 2000s and the Present
• 6. Normalization and the Problem with Holocaust Humor

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the changing representations of Nazism in post-war American film, analyzing how the depiction of Nazi characters and the role of the Holocaust have evolved over time. The aim is to understand how the American film industry has portrayed this dark chapter of history, exploring the evolution of its portrayal and potential shifts in societal perceptions.

• The evolution of Nazi character portrayals in American film
• The influence of societal changes and historical events on film representations
• The impact of different film genres on the portrayal of Nazism
• The role of the Holocaust in American film
• The potential for normalization or trivialization of Nazi atrocities in popular culture

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the paper, discussing the enduring legacy of the Nazi regime and the importance of examining how Nazism is depicted in modern media. The author highlights the influence of media, particularly on younger audiences, and the potential for distorted perceptions of historical events.
• Chapter 2: The Early 1940s and the Immediate Post-War Era: This chapter explores the early representations of Nazism in American film, focusing on productions made during and immediately after World War II. It examines how the war and its aftermath influenced the portrayals of Nazi characters and the Holocaust.
• Chapter 3: The 1960s and the 1970s: This chapter analyzes the evolution of Nazi representations in American film during the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting the impact of social and political changes on the portrayal of the Holocaust and Nazi characters.
• Chapter 4: The 1980s and the 1990s: This chapter examines the representations of Nazism in American film during the 1980s and 1990s, focusing on the emergence of new trends in the portrayal of Nazi characters and the Holocaust. It explores the influence of historical events and societal attitudes on film production.
• Chapter 5: The 2000s and the Present: This chapter explores contemporary representations of Nazism in American film, highlighting the continued relevance of the topic and the diverse approaches taken by filmmakers in portraying Nazi characters and the Holocaust.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This paper focuses on key terms and concepts related to representations of Nazism in American film, including post-war culture, Holocaust imagery, historical revisionism, film genres, and the evolution of societal perceptions. It examines the impact of these factors on the portrayal of Nazi characters and the Holocaust in popular culture.

• College: University of Duisburg-Essen (Department of Anglophone Studies)
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: M.A. Martin Alexander Reinhart (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 53
• Catalog Number: V336630
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668266384
• ISBN (Book): 9783668266391
• Language: English
• Tags: American Film, Hollywood, Nazism, Post-War, Popular Culture, Holocaust