Watch Der Fuehrer's Face

"Der Fuehrer's Face" is a 1942 Disney animated propaganda short film. It features Donald Duck experiencing a nightmare in which he lives in Nazi Germany under the rule of Adolf Hitler. The movie was directed by Jack Kinney, and it runs for approximately 8 minutes. The plot follows Donald Duck in his surreal nightmare. As he wakes up, he finds himself in a factory in Germany working as a Nazi soldier. The opening song, which bears the title of the movie, starts to play, and we see Donald marching in tune with it. The chorus of the song is sung by a chorus of German soldiers that are constantly reminding Donald that he is lucky to work for the Führer.

The entire movie is characterized by a series of gags that represent the absurdity of the Nazi regime, including the mythical "Heil COG" (a reference to the Heil Hitler salute, which COG a pronunciation of cock) that Donald must perform every time a portrait of Hitler appears on the conveyor belt.

Donald starts to feel increasingly traumatized and abused. The environment around him gets more and more hostile, and he becomes more and more disoriented. He is forced to work in a grueling and dangerous factory that produces shells.

Eventually, Donald has a breakdown and starts blaming Hitler for all the pain and suffering he has undergone. He is sent to an insane asylum and wakes up in his bed, realizing that it was all just a nightmare.

The film is a remarkable example of propaganda, meant to remind American citizens of the values their country upholds, and the dangers of fascism. It uses visual gags and acerbic humor to make a point about the insanity that fascism can bring upon those who are subject to it.

From a technical perspective, the animation is breathtaking. The film gets its message across through its vividly rich and colorful visuals, tight editing, and excellent voice acting. Animation fans will appreciate the wacky character designs and the depictions of Germany in the early 1940s.

Overall, "Der Fuehrer's Face" is a visually stunning and impactful piece of propaganda. It was awarded an Academy Award in 1943 for Best Animated Short Film, and rightfully so. It is a historical document that can be used to understand not only the political context of World War II but also the use of the media in wartime. It is a must-see for animation fans and history buffs alike.