Eva Braun's home movies - by Kiefer Entertainment
Eva Braun's home movies with explanatory pictures.
Eva Braun's home movies have been released on DVD in 3 volumes
by Kiefer Entertainment.
The running time for Volume 1 is 113 minutes. There is no voice audio on the soundtrack,
only dubbed classical music. A number of scenes are in black & white, and some are in colour.
The overall quality of the video is reasonably good, considering the fact that home
movie cameras in the 1930's and early 1940's did not usually produce a very satisfactory
picture.
It's believed that Eva's camera was a good quality 16mm Agfa, but she probably
had other movie cameras as well.
On the cover of the DVD it says that the footage was shot between 1936 and 1943,
but this is not correct, as there is footage of Gretl Braun's marriage to Hermann
Fegelein in 1944. Gretl was Eva Braun's sister, and survived the war, unlike her sister,
who committed suicide (using a cyanide capsule), along with Hitler in the Berlin underground
bunker on the 30th of April 1945, only a few hours before the advancing Russians broke into
the bunker.
Iam not even going to attempt to identify every person who appears in the home movies,
as there have been many cases of mistaken identity in various books, identifying Eva as
Gretl, and vice versa. The two sisters looked similar, and to make matters more complicated,
changed their appearance on a regular basis. A third sister, Ilse Braun, who appears
occasionally in the movies, also looks similar to her two sisters.
Other complications include Eva's best friend, Herta Schneider, sometimes being labelled
as Gretl Braun, plus a number of other inconsistencies.
I will therefore only identify individuals whose identity Iam absolutely sure of.
The scenes are not in chronological order, and the film seems to have been spliced together
haphazardly, resulting in a rather confusing sequence of events. One scene may be from 1938,
with the next scene from 1941, followed by a scene from 1937.
Nevertheless, the home movies of Eva Braun provide us with invaluable moving picture records
from the 20th Century during the Third Reich - both before and during the war.
Start of DVD Volume 1 :-
The first scene is in black and white and shows a group of people in the water at the
bottom of a waterfall, possibly in 1938.
This scene is normally regarded as being one of the two waterfalls at Lake Konigsee
in the Bavarian Alps, not far from the town of Berchtesgaden, but some sources have
recognised the waterfall as the Rothbach Waterfall at Lake Obersee (Upper Lake).
It is a cascading waterfall, not a 'one drop' type fall, and we also see some people at
various levels above the bottom of the falls sliding into some of the shallow cascade pools.
Originally, Lake Obersee was simply part of the Konigsee lake, but an avalanche in ancient
times separated the two. More effort is required to get to Lake Obersee than to the main
lake at Konigsee.
The first person in the group to be easily recognized is Eva Braun's mother, Fanny. She
is the only person wearing a bathing cap, and approaches the bottom of the waterfall
rather cautiously.
Eva Braun is seen sitting on the bank, and then she too approaches the bottom of the
waterfall, but at a much quicker pace than her mother. It should be noted that in this scene
Eva is not wearing a swimming costume. (The Australian word is "starkers").
Next we see Eva sitting on the bank again, watching her father, "Fritz" Braun in the water.
He is easily identified by his bald head, and black swimming trunks with a white stripe on each
side.
Below, is a picture of Eva Braun's parents, Fritz and Fanny Braun.
Fritz and Fanny Braun. Fanny is wearing her reading glasses.
Fritz and Fanny are then seen leaving the water, and we move onto the next scene away
from the waterfall, but still in the Konigsee area.
The next scene (also in black and white), shows one of the women washing items in the lake.
Behind her, we can see a tree with three trunks jutting out over the lake. This is one of Eva's
favourite spots, and the tree will be seen many times throughout her home movies.
A rowing boat can be seen on the other side of the tree.
Eva is sitting on a towel wearing a two piece bathing outfit, with a wrist watch on her
left arm. Her father is sitting on a towel smoking a pipe. One of Eva's black scottish
terriers makes a brief appearance. Eva had two scottish terriers commonly referred
to as "Negus" and "Stasi".
The next scene shows a group of people, allegedly at Eva's house in Munich, at 12
Wasserburgstrasse (now Delpstrasse). Eva and Gretl moved into the house in March
1936. Hitler had Heinrich Hoffmann purchase it for 30,000 Reichsmarks.
We see the group sitting in front of a large fireplace. Ilse Braun is
the third person from the left. Fannie Braun is next to her,
and Gretl is on the far left, with a short boyish type haircut (see picture below).
We see a close-up of Herta Schneider with her husband and daughter. Herta is wearing
a coat and smoking a cigarette. I can't give you her husband's first name as I don't know
what it is. It seems that he's of such small importance in the overall scheme of things, that
he's always referred to as "Herta's husband". The name 'Erwin' has been suggested, but
nobody seems to know for certain !
The picture below shows Eva Braun's Munich house at 12 Wasserburgstrasse in 1938.
[The house is still there, but the address is now 12 Delpstrasse].
It is a neat two-storey house with a tiled roof.
Eva's house in Munich.
Eva Braun's house in Munich in 1938.
Gretl Braun (left) and her mother at Eva's Munich house.
We see a close-up of the Schneiders again in the next scene, but this time it's back at
the Konigsee at Eva's favourite spot near the tree overhanging the lake (see picture below).
The picture is still in black and white. Eva's mother Fanny is seen patting one of the scottish terriers.
Somebody is seen venturing into the water (possibly Eva), and then suddenly, we're back
at the waterfall again ! Four girls are seen holding hands at the bottom of the falls.
Eva Braun's best friend Herta Schneider and husband (Herr Schneider) at the lake.
We then go back to the 'tree overhanging the lake' spot, where we see Eva's mum Fanny,
and one of the girls who proceedes to climb up the tree. This is the same girl who was seen
washing items in the lake earlier on. It is definitely not Eva.
Next, we see some more lake and waterfall scenes, and then suddenly, we
are on top of the Kehlstein Range, on the grass adjacent to the Kehlsteinhaus
(Eagle's Nest), high above everything on the Obersalzberg, including the Berghof.
It could be late 1938 or the summer of 1939, as the Kehlsteinhaus was not completed
until August 1938, and the road to the carpark in October of that year.
Four portable "banana lounges" are seen facing south - towards the sun.
(In Australia, the lounges would have to point northwards to face the sun).
Three girls in swimming costumes each occupy a "banana lounge". The fourth
is occupied by Eva's dad, Fritz Braun. His wife Fanny is sitting on the grass next to
him, and their "banana lounge" is well removed from the other three, giving the
girls an opportunity to engage in 'girl talk'.
The 3 girls are seen smoking and drinking wine. Herta Schneider occupies the
"banana lounge" in the middle(see picture below). Gretl is on the left, nearest
the Kehlsteinhaus, and Ilse Braun is on the right. She has short dark hair similar to Gretl.
Herta's husband (whats-his-name) is probably inside the Kehlsteinhaus with
the other men in the group, but we don't get to see them.
Herta Schneider at the Kehlstein.
Ilse Braun at the Kehlstein.
The next picture shows a close-up of Ilse Braun in 1940.
Ilse Braun close-up (1940).
About the " Berfhof "
In October of 1928, Hitler rented the "Haus Wachenfeld" on the Obersalzberg
for about 100 marks per month.
In 1933, after he became Chancellor, he purchased the house, and over the
next 3 years the house was completely refurbished and enlarged, and on
completion was renamed the "Berghof".
In late 1937, Hitler's half sister Angela moved out of the Berghof, and Eva
Braun was then (finally) given permission to move into the Berghof on a permanent
basis with her two scottish terriers, Stasi and Negus.
Around that time, Hitler engaged Dr. Morell as his personal doctor, on Eva Braun's
recommendation, and also in 1937, Martin Bormann acquired his own house overlooking
the Berghof. Bormann then set about building up the settlement on the Obersalzberg
surrounding the Berghof.
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The next scene shows a group of people, including children and a scottish
terrier on a leash, walking down the front steps of the Berghof towards a waiting
bus, which is most likely going to take them on a shopping trip down to Berchtesgaden,
or even as far as Munich.
Next, we see Hitler inside the Berghof shaking hands with various people, and talking
to 3 men - Adolf Wagner (left), Heinrich Hoffman (centre), and Martin Bormann (right).
Adolf Wagner is easily recognized as he has a bald head and a lagre 'crease' on the
left-hand side of his head, just in front of his ear.
Martin Bormann was a tough, no-nonsense, threatening man, who was subservient only
in the presence of Hitler. It was Bormann who was responsible for establishing the
community on the Obersalzberg. It was also his idea to build the Kehlsteinhaus and the access
road and tunnels.
It is after September1 1939, because Hitler is wearing his 'military' jacket with the eagle
on the upper left arm (instead of the armband with the big swastika). He wore this grey
jacket and black trousers outfit throughout the war, complete with his Party badge, Iron
Cross first class, and the black Wound Badge (at the bottom).
His personal adjutant, Wilhelm Bruckner, makes a brief appearance in the background,
when he looks over Ilse Braun's shoulder. Ilse is standing next to hitler, and is wearing
a fur coat.
A tall large man, Bruckner was sometimes referred to as "the gentle giant". He left the
Berghof in October 1940 (after being dismissed) and was replaced by Julius Schaub.
The picture below shows Wilhelm Bruckner at the Berghof in 1939.
Wilhelm Bruckner at the Berghof in 1939.
The next picture shows Martin Bormann (left) and Adolf Wagner sitting on the wall of
the terrace at the Berghof.
Martin Bormann (left) & Adolf Wagner on the terrace of the Berghof.
A panoramic view of the Obersalzberg in colour.
At 14 minutes and 35 seconds into DVD1, we are treated to a panoramic view of the
Obersalzberg ( in colour), beginning with a distant view of Martin Bormann's house,
followed by views of the spectacular mountain peaks as seen through the large
"picture window" in the main hall on the ground floor of the Berghof. The glassed "picture
window" has been lowered into the wall recess to give a clearer view.
No trace of Martin Bormann's large house remains today.
Next, we get a view of the lookout situated on a rocky outcrop known as the Mooslahner
Kopf. There is a wooden fence built at the edge of the lookout, and a wooden bench seat
is provided for sightseers. The Mooslahner Teehaus is located nearby, and we see Hitler
enter the tea house and sit down in one of the large floral lounge chairs, waiting for afternoon
tea to be served.
The main section of the Mooslahner Teehaus consists of an 8 metre round pavilion with a round
wooden table in the centre, surrounded by floral chairs. The building was completed in 1937.
Hitler and his entourage used to walk there from the Berghof in the afternoons, following a strict
pecking order with Hitler up front with his chosen walking companion, and the rest of his entourage
spread out along the path behind him. Not a trace of the teehaus remains today. The last remnants
were removed a few years ago.
The afternoon walk to the Mooslahner Kopf on the Obersalzberg.
The picture below, taken from Eva's Home Movies (around 1943), shows Eva Braun (right),
her father Fritz, mother Fanny, and sister Gretl.
From right - Eva Braun, Fritz Braun, Fanny Braun, Gretl Braun.
After the panoramic view of the Obersalzberg, there are more lake scenes, including
a group of people playing around with a rubber raft, people diving off diving boards,
a display of gymnastics, more sun bathing, and a water skiing segment.
We also see a group of girls on the terrace at the Berghof sun bathing and playing
table tennis. This is followed by more diving board scenes at the lake, a rowing boat
scene, and more sun bathing and acrobatics.
"Punktchen" am Berg.
At 30 minutes into the DVD, the title "Punktchen" am Berg appears on the film.
This translates into dot (or spot) at the Berghof. It's unclear what the 'dot' is, but
one possibility is that "Punktchen" is a nickname for Eva Braun's friend, who appears
immediately after the title. Eva and her friend are seen suntanning on the Berghof terrace.
Her friend is wearing a one-piece floral swimming costume, and there follows a scene where
she sits on the wall of the terrace posing for the camera (see picture below).
This girl, whose name we don't know, has often been mistaken for Eva Braun.
She has medium length light coloured hair, with big curls at the back.
The fact that the word punktchen is placed in inverted commas in the title,
indicates to me that this is the girl's nickname.
Gerda Bormann, the wife of Martin Bormann, appears in this segment sitting on the terrace
sewing. She has dark hair with a full length part in the centre.
The picture below shows "Punktchen" sitting on the terrace wall at the Berghof.
"Punktchen" is the nickname given to this friend of Eva Braun. She is seen
here sitting on the terrace wall at the Berghof, and has often been mistaken
for Eva.
Colour picture of Inge Ley, wife of Dr. Robert Ley.
One of the women seen very briefly in the background of one of the scenes
is Inge Ley, wife of Dr. Robert Ley, chief of the German Labour Front.
Inge made a number of visits to the Berghof, and even visited the Kehlsteinhaus
after its completion in 1938.
The view was so brief, it was almost impossible to recognize her, so I have
posted a separate picture (not part of Eva Braun's home movies), showing
Inge Ley attending a function in Munich in 1939. Inge Ley was a natural blonde
and a former actress.
The picture below shows Inge Ley (left) in Munich, with her husband in 1939.
Frau Inge Ley (wife of Dr. Robert Ley) in Munich in 1939.
At 30.37.50, we see Hitler sitting on the Berghof terrace reading a newspaper.
He then gets up and strolls over to have a chat with his architect, Albert Speer,
before commencing the afternoon walk to the Mooslahner teahaus.
Next, we see Hitler back on the Berghof terrace talking to two of the Speer children,
firstly to Albert Speer Junior, then Hilde Speer.
This is followed by some scenes of Hitler on his own, including pointing at the camera
person, and looking at the mountain scenery from the terrace. He is then seen talking to
some other men.
After that, there are two scenes of Eva Braun picking flowers in a field.
In the second scene she is accompanied by Herta Schneider. Eva is wearing
a checkered top with white sleeves.
Following that, we cop a few under-exposed scenes of Hitler talking to some men in
his study, including Martin Bormann and von Ribbentrop.
The next scene shows Joseph Goebbels arriving at the Berghof by car, and receiving
an over-enthusiastic handshake from Julius Schaub, at the top of the stairs.
Then there are more scenes of what we have seen before (mountain views, etc.),
followed by a segment where Heinrich Himmler is seen talking to Reinhard Heydrich
on the terrace, and then a scene where Hitler is looking at a photograph with a large
magnifying glass. He then hands the magnifying glass to Julius Schaub, with Hermann
Esser watching on in the background.
Next, there is a lineup of SS men on the terrace, followed by a scene showing a group
of people gathered around a table on the left-hand side of the terrace. Three of the
women sitting at the table are Hanni Morell (wife of Dr.Morell), Christa Schroder (secretary),
and Herta Schneider.
In the next scene, we see Frau Hanni Morell sitting at another table (on the terrace) with
Heinrich Hoffmann and von Ribbentrop (see picture below).
Frau Hanni Morell (wife of Dr.Theodor Morell) at the Berghof with von Ribbentrop.
Scenes using DVD counter numbers :-
040:51:48 - Hitler and von Ribbentrop enter the teehaus at the Mooslahner Kopf
and sit down in the floral chairs.
040:52:00 - View of the road to the Kehlstein in 1938. The road has not yet been sealed,
but there is guttering on the left-hand side, and a safety rail on the right-hand side.
040:52:53 - Start of a panoramic sweep of the mountains in winter, taken from the
Kehlsteinhaus.
040:53:42 - This is an interesting scene. Eva Braun is seen with a group of children. She has
both arms around Albert Speer's daughter, Hilde Speer. Albert Speer Junior is standing on the right,
next to his younger sister, who is wearing a reddish dress.
One of the Bormann boys emerges from the right of the screen, giving a mock army salute to the
cameraman, who, presumably, is wearing some type of uniform. Eva laughs and calls the Bormann
boy over to her. He is holding an easter egg basket.
In the next scene, we see Arnold Speer, the younger of the 2 Speer boys (see picture below).
Eva Braun with Speer children.
Eva Braun with Speer and Bormann children, Easter 1939.
In this picture we see Eva Braun with her arms around Hilde Speer. Her younger brother
Arnold Speer is on the left, looking up at Hilde. On the right are two of the Bormann children,
one of them holding an easter egg basket, and on the far right (facing away from the camera),
is Albert Speer Junior.
Eva is obviously enjoying her role as child minder, and it's quite evident that she loves being
around young children.
040:54:20 - Group of people sitting around a table, including Frau Morell and Adolf Wagner.
040:54:36 - Hitler sitting on the terrace wall reading from a piece of paper. Julius Schaub
is on the left, and Adolf Wagner is on the right.
040:55:01 - Hitler standing on the terrace wearing his civilian suit and hat talking to Hanni
Morell (right) and another woman, who is probably Fraulein 'Sofie' Stork.
040:55:35 - Hitler talking to Dr. Theodor Morell and Hermann Esser. Dr. Morell is wearing glasses
and a dark suit. Hermann Esser has a moustache similar to Hitler.
040:56:42 - Eva Braun has her arm around Franz Xaver Schwarz, the Party treasurer (man
with white hair and glasses). Frau Schwarz is on the left (see picture below).
Franz Xaver Schwarz with Eva Braun at the Berghof. Frau Schwarz is on the left.
040:56:53 - Eva Braun is seen with an unknown man wearing lederhosen (leather trousers).
See picture below.
Eva Braun with the unknown ' Lederhosen man' on the Berghof terrace.
051:11:50 - Heinrich Hoffman (left) with Baldur von Schirach at the Kehlstein (see picture below).
Schirach, the Hitler Youth leader at that time, was married to Hoffmann's daughter.
051:15:24 - Gerta Bormann with five of her children - 2 boys, 2 girls, and a baby. The eldest boy
is possibly Martin Bormann Junior (Martin Adolf Bormann). Frau Bormann bounces the
baby up and down on her knee.
Baldur von Schirach (right) and Heinrich Hoffmann at the Kehlstein.
Note the path in the background leading to the summit of the Kehlstein spur.
The Kehlsteinhaus is just out of sight in the foreground.
061:16.23 - Children collecting items in the greenhouse, a separate building
located away from the Berghof. It is possibly Easter, 1939.
At 061:17:04, we see a close-up of Hilde Speer (see picture below)
showing her blonde hair and cute dark eyes. [The Bormann children
are also present in the greenhouse].
Hilde Speer in the Obersalzberg greenhouse - Easter 1939.
Her brother is standing behind her.
061:17:53 - An attractive dark haired woman (left) holds a bowl-shaped basket
on her head. This is Fraulein 'Sofie' Stork, reputed to be an artist friend
of Eva Braun [and/or] Hitler (See picture below).
Fraulein 'Sofie' Stork (left), Easter 1939. Next to her is Frau Morell.
061:19.18 - Sepp Dietrich sitting on wall of terrace at Berghof.
061:25:54 - Fanny Braun (Eva's mother) and Herr Schneider on the terrace.
071.32.08 - 'Bird in bathroom sink' segment goes on for 2 minutes 40 seconds !
071:34:52 - Erich Kempka (Hitler's chauffeur) with Sepp Dietrich (See picture below).
Erich Kempka, Hitler's chauffeur (left) and Sepp Dietrich at the Obersalzberg.
071:38:27 - Marriage ceremony of Gretl Braun to Hermann Fegelein in June 1944
at Salzberg. Guests include Martin Bormann and Heinrich Himmler.
071:41:40 - The two daughters of Herta Schneider.
071:44:30 - Herta Schneider, her husband, and their dog (a white terrier). The
Schneider's white terrier is seen in a number of scenes. He has a short
stumpy tail and a black patch on his left side.
081:47:05 - Hitler with the two Schneider children.
081:48:18 - The two schneider girls looking at rabbits in a cage on the grass
lawn just behind the left-hand side of the terrace.
081:51:25 - Herta Schneider dressing her youngest daughter.
081:52:16 - Eva Braun (right) and Herta standing behind the rear of a car (see picture),
followed by a scene with Herta and her husband behind the same car.
Eva Braun & Herta Schneider, 1943.
END OF DVD NO.1
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