Thanks to brilliant performances that holds your attention from the very beginning, Downfall is an intense detailed look into the last days of Hitler and his crumbling Nazi power during the final Battle of Berlin.
The movie earned an Academy Award nomination for best foreign language film, and also picked up several awards at various film festivals. It deserved all the recognition the movie received, and truly is an unflinching look into the chaos of Hitler’s last days.
Most of the movie, which is told from the perspective of Hitler’s stenographer, takes place in Hitler’s bunker as the Russian army advances on Berlin.
Bruno Ganz does an extremely good job in the role of Adolph Hitler, and in showing his personal descent into madness. The actor’s performance adds to the tension of the film, which is in German with English subtitles, as the conditions worsen for Hitler and his army.
Towards the end of the movie, it is clear that Hitler has lost all touch with reality as he barks orders at his generals to move armies that don’t exist, and begins to discuss plans for his suicide with those around him.
Again, Ganz’s performance brings all this to life on the screen as we see a panic and paranoid Hitler who believes everyone is trying to betray him one minute, and ordering their executions the next even though there is no means to carry out his orders.
Alexandra Maria Lara also does a great job in the role of Traudi Junge. She plays her as a young girl that is taken in by the thought of serving Hitler.
Ganz captures the madness and chaos of Hitler’s final days
Two years later finds herself facing the realization of the chaos happening around her. At first, Junge says she wants to stay in the bunker with Hitler, but as he falls further into madness, she begins to see that she must try and escape.
Lara’s “doe-eyed” performance does a good job of countering the intensity of Ganz’s rage as Hitler. As she tries to escape at the end of the movie, Lara also helps the audience see the destruction that Hitler caused on his own people – through the death of Berlin citizens that Hitler refused to evacuate and the ruins of Berlin.<!--page-->
Main Menu
Downfall does have a couple of places where the film begins to drag, and tends to get a little long towards the movie’s end. This causes you to lose a little interest in the movie from time to time, but not enough to make you want to quit watching the film.The DVD is a little light on special features, but does include a making of featurette, cast and crew interviews, and director commentary.
Downfall is a movie that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in War World II or learning more about the final days of Hitler. It is an intense look at the war, and the madness of the final days of Germany’s leader.
Special Features Menu
The movie isn’t for everyone, and the subtitles could be a turn off to some viewers. It isn’t a “popcorn” movie to watch and relax. Ganz and the other actors make up for any of the film’s lacking, and it worth the time it takes to watch the film.
Downfall is now available at Amazon and is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a Sept. 5 release. Visit the film’s database for more information.
USA
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