Goering, in his younger days, looked nothing like the "big fat buffoon" in those newreels. He was a trim, young fighter pilot in the First World War, working alongside, and competing with the likes of Manfred and Lothar Von Richtofen (yes, he was an ace in that war...) Most of the weight he accumulated later was due to his being shot in the groin during the Munich Putsch, by the Weimar Republic police. Even so, he still kept the bearing of a military officer, and thus could command some respect, even from his foes.
That being said, the man was a moral monster, more than willing to appropriate fine art from the estates of those he helped to murder, for his own enjoyment...
the infowarrior
Goering was the last commander of the Flying Circus, the holder of the Pour Le Merite and a recognized ace in WWI.