Part 1: Festival of the Nations Riefenstahl shot a documentary that celebrates the human body by combining the poetry of the bodies in motion with close-ups of athletes in the heat of competition. Includes Jesse Owen's sprint races at the 1936 Olympic games and Adolf Hitler looking on in amazement as Owens wins an unprecedented four Gold Medals.

Part 2: Festival of Beauty Riefenstahl captures the grace of the athletes during field hockey, soccer, bicycling, equestrian, aquatic and gymnastic events. Highlights are the Pentathlon and the Decathlon, which was won by American Glenn Morris; it ends with the triumphant conclusion of the games.