Triumph of the Skilled

With the introduction of YouTube, affordable video editing software, and the ability to capture footage from mass-produced media, the art of remixing found footage has reached mainstream audiences through viral promotion. The Bed Intruder and Christian Bale v. David are prime fodder for inter-office email blasts. And let's not forget this gem.

But the art of using editing to change the meaning of original footage is nothing new.

In fact, the most famous propaganda film of all time, Triumph of the Will was re-edited many times.

Below, you'll see a re-edit performed by Charles A. Ridley, a British editor. It's amazing how a film that had the ability to make millions of Germans "Heil Hitler", could be re-edited to turn the führer into a Chaplinesque goofball.

Oh those Brits and their adorable irony...






Unfortunately, some of the best video remixing remains unseen by large audiences....




-LB