Rating of
4/4
Downfall (Untergang, Der) review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 02/01/12
An effectively poignant epic war flick about Adolf Hitler’s life in 1945 where the Russians invade Berlin. Hitler (Bruno Ganz) hires Traudl Humps (Alexandra Maria Lara) to be one of his personal secretaries. Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler (Ulrich Noethen) and his SS adjutant Hermann Fegelein (Thomas Kretschmann) persuades Hitler to leave before Berlin falls. Albert Speer, an architect, informs Hitler about a secret regarding his orders while Eva Braun (Juliane Köhler) gets married to Adolf Hitler.
The screenplay, effects and realism was exceptional. A few lines from the movie: Lady –“Life will go on.” Traudl – “It’s all so unreal.” Albert – “Think about it. The children have a right to a future.” Hitler - “They get what they deserve.” “Life doesn’t forgive weakness.” “No mercy for traitors.” “I’ll never surrender. Never.” Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler was astonishing and the rest of the cast was solid. The accuracy of Hitler’s final days was well portrayed and researched. It had so many harrowing scenes that it is impossible to not be moved. More than 50 million killed during the invasion during the war. Downfall illustrated the other side of Hitler with themes of loyalty, betrayal, appreciation, vindictiveness, bravery, murder, value of children/humanity, effects of war in the psyche and hope.
