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Downfall

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"Downfall" is one of the most astonishing movies I have seen this year. I am a little baffled that it hasn't received more attention in the United States. Bruno Ganz should have gotten an Oscar nomination for best actor. But it did get a nomination for best foreign film. "Downfall" is easily as good and gripping as the renowned hit "Das Boot". It's probably the case that foreign movies don't get as much attention now as they did in the 1980's. Nevertheless, this fine film should have a long life on DVD.

"Downfall" has caused some controversy because it depicts Adolf Hitler not as a demon, but as a human being who was kind to his young secretaries and his dogs. In fact this makes his evil all the more insidious and monstrous. "Downfall" can be seen as an attempt by Germans to come to terms with their part in Hitler's crimes. How could a not-entirely-bad man like Albert Speer or an innocent like Traudl Junge retain their loyalty and admiration for such a diseased figure? We see the terrible events of April 1945 through German eyes. This involves acknowledging the horrible suffering of the German people as they were bombed and smashed into surrender. (Definitely, however, without letting them off the hook for their moral responsibility for the Holocaust and other crimes against humanity.)

We see Berlin turned into an apocalyptic landscape that would not seem out of place in the Book of Revelation. Gangs of murdering Nazis roam the rubble, looking for final victims to lynch. The Volkssturm, the army of old men and little boys recruited for the last defense of the city, is slaughtered by the advancing Russians. Officials of the regime are committing suicide right and left. (Some historians say there were more suicides among the Germans during the end than among the Japanese.) Down in the fuehrer's bunker Hitler's young secretary Traudl Junge (the wide-eyed, pretty, sweet Alexandra Maria Lara) witnesses the death throes of the Reich. Bruno Ganz is amazing as Hitler. The warm, human angel of "Wings of Desire" is entirely gone, replaced by this occasionally lucid, frequently rabid being. For long stretches of the movie, I swear, I entirely forgot there was an actor working up on the screen and it seemed as if I was watching Hitler himself in all his malignancy.

The movie turns the screws of suspense as things get worse and worse, and you get a solemn sense of justice being done at last. (Although there are still crimes that can be committed, like the diabolical murder of Goebbels' small children by their mother, shown in graphic detail.) The key to the movie perhaps can be had in a little speech by Goebbels. An army General protests the wanton slaughter of civilians and the Volkssturm. Goebbels replies, "I have no sympathy. No sympathy! The German people gave us the mandate. And now you cry because your little throats are being cut." It's a chilling moment. And a sobering reminder that politicians must be held accountable, and the people of a nation have to be responsible in their choice of leaders.

I thought it was a goof when we hear a German general suddenly speaking in Russian while negotiating a surrender. So I did a little fact-checking and was surprised to see how accurately events and characters are portrayed, down to the spoken lines and physical appearance of supporting actors. The general in question was Krebs and he was indeed fluent in Russian (Cornelius Ryan, "The Last Battle", p. 468)

For historical accuracy alone, this is a movie that puts all of Hollywood war movies to shame.

I saw this film in Germany in November, 2004, and picked up a copy in Berlin this March...my pre-ordered Amazon.de copy was waiting for me on my return.

This film is essential for anyone who wishes to understand "the evil that men do" (and women, for example, Frau Goebbels, who killed her children because she did not want them to grow up in a world without National Socialism, Nazism). It is a deep film, based on the historical novel of Joachim Fest, and the stunning documentary "Blind Spot" (Bis Zum Toten Winkel) revealing the thoughts of Hitler's personal secretary, Traudl Humps (married to an SS officer on Hitler's staff who was killed in 1943, she became Traudl Jung), shortly before her death as the millenium turned.

The acting is superb. The best new crop of German actors, as well as Bruno Ganz portraying Der Führer himself, are excellent. Most of the elements that led to the coming of the Holocaust, the Third Reich, and its downfall are cleverly intertwined in this phenomenally staged docudrama. In several viewings, I could find virtually nothing to criticize, down to the china used in the bunker, or so-called Führerbunker, to the attitudes of the many Field Marshalls, who were in many ways as "apolitical" as General Tommy Franks, attitudes of resignation, as suicide as the last honorable gesture, of "doing the right thing."

Such films have to be seen in context. After 60 years of banishment of the swastika (Hakenkreuz in German) in Germany, we see the swastika in its full "glory" throughout the film, the beautiful and attractive uniforms originally designed by Hugo Boss (no kidding). In context, in 2004, Germans were suddenly faced with an extremely well-made film that shows Hitler as nearly human (hiding is Parkinsonian tremor of his left hand behind his back as he presents the Iron Cross, 2nd Class, to Hitler Youth defending Berlin after the declaration of "Clausewitz"--Berlin as a war front. While other officers plead for the evacuation of women and children, Hitler responds that the German people (das Volk) do not deserve to survive, because they have lost this war. National Socialism is revealed as the death culture it was. In other contexts, there are excellend books, articles, and documentaries revealing how willing the German Volk were to turn over all thought, conscience, morality, to the Führer, who encouraged them to do so. Unfortunately, the next 60 years would show that the attitudes of National Socialism did not die with him.

I could individually commend the performances of the many players and people behind the scenes. I have been to Berlin, and this IS Berlin, to any approximation I have seen in photos of the time, and I have been in the last remaining Air Raid shelter (bunker) for the populace and it is no different from this soundstage, save the furniture that was probably taken from Jews years before by the party, which ended up as furnishings in the many homes of the high command and Hitler.

After viewing the film, I do recommend that the viewer take in "Schindler's List" or "The Pianist" to complement it. As we are faced with worldwide conflagration against a non-uniformed enemy of Western culture and democracy, it is hard to think of World War Two as the last of the "civilized" wars, even though it was perhaps the last of uniformed armies facing one another (the Cold War, which never went hot, excluded).

This film does show, through the characters of Traudl Junge and her young friend, the Hitler Youth decorated by Hitler personally, as they walk through the Soviet line on their way back to Bavaria, that the policy of war as a solution to any international dispute is at best fragile. Perhaps that fragility is our best hope for peace.

If you want to know how it feels to enter the abyss, then watch this movie. The viewer is crushed by the heartache of the coming end of the Reich, and wonders how any person could emerge from it with a measure of sanity remaining. Civilians trapped in the street fighting; children enduring tank assaults; the constant drumbeat of incoming artillery; and meanwhile against the constant backdrop of the unreality of the Fuhrerbunker, the men and women living in their "wolkenskukushiem."

What is it like to experience total and utter defeat? The world you have known is collapsing around you, and you are totally helpless to stop it.
Watch the face of the actor who plays Brigadefuhrer Mohnke as he hears Göbbels telling him that the German people will have their "little throats" cut. What would go through YOUR mind? Watch as an SS doctor works his way through the bunker, even as men of the Nordland and Charlemagne SS troops (yes... Norwegians and French volunteers fighting the last battle around the Führerbunker) recheck their equipment and load what little ammunition they have left. The shock on Gen. Helmut Weidling's face, the commander of the famed 56th PanzerKorps, as he is told that HE's now the commandant of Berlin's defenses. The flash of reality that crosses Eva Braun's face when she gives away her mink coat to Traudl Junge, a rare glimpse through the forced happiness she otherwise displayed.

But in the midst of the carnage there is real courage. Forget the politics, forget the Nazis, as you see that there were people who displayed REAL courage in hopeless circumstances... soldiers and civilians fighting hopeless battles through the crumbling streets of Berlin. My mother saw and experienced some of this same anguish in Southern Germany.

But now for the problem-- a BIG problem. Soviet atrocities are completely expunged. Even Traudl Junge is shown to have escaped the Russians unscathed... pure fantasy. She was raped by the Soviets numerous times. While SS and Nazi atrocities are shown repeatedly, (guys hanging "defeatists" for example), there is not ONE Russian atrocity displayed. Not one. Thus, despite the fact that the movie is well done and reasonably accurate historically in many areas, it actually strives to rewrite and sanitize history.

Nevertheless, the acting is well done. Ganz does a superb job of humanizing Hitler, which of course makes this movie controversial. Despite the problem above, and my three star rating, the movie is still worth seeing, or even owning. The scenes are riveting and heartrending, and will remind us of the tragedy that became known as the Battle of Berlin. It should also remind us of what happens when people surrender themselves to the power of the State, to let the State run their lives and "care" for them in its brutal maw.

Why did this movie not win an Oscar? It goes to show how retarded holywood has become. This is one of the best movies of the last decade.

There have been many misconceptions about this film. I first heard about it because many people had accused it of looking sympathetically at Hitler, while others claim it ignores the suffering of the Jews. After watching the film at last and learning in depth what went behind it, I can conclude those people really have no idea what they are talking about.

"The Downfall" is the story of the last days of the Third Reich, one of the most destructive forces in the history of mankind, taken almost entirely from the point of view of Traudl Junge. (Hitler's personal secretary) The Russians are now at the edge of the city and Germany's great capitol is engulfed in chaos. "Operation Clausewitz" is put into effect, and high Nazi officials leave Berlin to continue the war outside the city, Hitler himself choosing to stay behind with many top military and personal advisors including Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels...and his entire family.

As the Reich collapses on the outside, it continually draws itself in. Hitler retreats to his bunker, staying there almost indefinately for the entire movie. Friends and allies around him either flee or betray him, isolating him with his madness. The bunker takes on a very claustrophobic feel as the Third Reich crumbles, destructive men causing their own destruction. Thousands of Nazis commit suicide or fight and die for a cause they believe in. Even after Hitler dies (and if you think that's a spoiler, slap yourself in the head) the Reich continues to exist. It isn't until word comes that the German army has surrendered that fighting finally comes to an end, and even then loyal Nazis readily put guns to their heads and pull the trigger, finding it dishonorable to outlive their Fuhrer.

The accusations on the film making Hitler appear sympathetic are due to one of the goals of the filmmakers: make a picture about the Nazis not as caricatures but as real people. This doesn't mean they didn't think the Nazis were bad - listen to the interviews of the actors and film crew, and listen to how every minute they describe the characters as diabolical monsters. The purpose of this, as the director points out in the commentary, (by the way, my compliments to Oliver Hirschbiegel for his excellent English) was to keep ourselves from repeating what had happened. The Nazis didn't see the Jews as people and so could easily kill them - if we don't see the Nazis as people, then we are no better. It also reminds us that evil is not incarnate because a guy looks evil or because a guy belongs to a particular group of society - evil is found within the human heart itself. Hitler was recorded as a man who had a great charm, and could easily win your heart as much as fear him. Bruno Ganz carries this off EXTREMELY well, and has to be the best portrayel of Hitler I've ever seen on screen. He plays Hitler as he was - an actor and true politician that would smile to a friend or lady, then turn around and scream at the generals to get them to do what he wanted.

As a historical film, it excels above others in its genre. Nearly everything said or done is taken from eyewitness accounts, making you feel like you truly are watching history unfold. The urban combat scenes are the best I've seen, with no gunfire quieting when characters speak, no artificial lighting; everything's dirty, grimy, character's yell at one another, gunfire blasts louder than a person can stand - it's war! The actors all turn in great performances, even those who did not want to take the role (Ulrich Matthes almost turned down the role of Goebbels because of how horrible he was) or had trouble doing it. (Corinna Harfouch, herself a mother of three, broke down crying several times during the sequence where Goebbels' children are killed) Even Aline Sokar, who plays Helga Goebbels, is memorable, and you won't soon forget the scene where she tearfully begs her mother to not make her drink the "medicine."

The DVD comes with a making of documentary, which shows filming in St. Petersburg (!) as well as interviews with the various actors, even André Hennicke who plays Mohnke. There is also the already mentioned commentary with director Oliver Hirschbiegel, and any one who thinks this film is pro-Nazi is encouraged to listen to the commentary to learn otherwise. Hirschbiegel explains a lot of the historical facts (the man definately did his research) and reasoning behind this film.

A classic war film, German or otherwise, and perhaps the best depiction of the Third Reich to date. Watch it, and enter a world that seduced an entire nation and drove them to war. A world that is self-destructive, both metaphorically and physically. A world where parents kill their children without emotion, men kill their families, and where followers of a cause are oblivious to it's own end. It is true madness, but what makes this film haunting is it is all here, realisticly depicted and unadulterated. These men really existed, and rose to great power - we must always remember to try and prevent these men from entering power again.

One of the most significant statements of the always reminded master of the cinema, Robert Bresson, was :"To be models; instead of look like actors." I would say that Olivier Hirschbiegel unconsciously followed this wisdom advise. This (Should I just label it film, or perhaps this term be insufficient, why not better to design it supreme artwork?) masterpiece simply surpassed all the eloquent adjectives of previous reviews.

The impressive narrative dissection, supported by a sinewy script, is loaded of such burden of mesmerizing, engaging and delirious realism, that literally involves you from start to end. This outstanding work is a true radiograph that explores with merciless crudeness all the insights of the last ten days of Adolf Hitler.

Bruno Ganz followed his bliss and stole that coveted pearl, that justifies the supreme artistic achievement of his lifetime. From the initial shot when the nervous secretaries wait for him, until his last Farewell; his delirious anger accesses, increasing withdrawal of the reality, eloquent grimaces deserves for him (without forget Javier Bardem in Sea Inside) the most towering performance in years.

On the other hand the camera leads us to the struggling and increasingly claustrophobic environment. The camera handle and the fabulous angle shots from the floor accent still more that oppressive atmosphere (Do you remember Orson Welles The Trial?).

The inner tragedy is expressed with vibrant expression. Three expressive sequences are enough to support it: watch for instance the ominous sequence in which Goebbels wife dismisses from her children, the child `s horror at the moment he will have to face the death in its portent in the middle of the flaming wrecks and finally the elusive gaze of Eva Braun in her last supper.

On the other hand, the dialogues are never superfluous. With a visible resources economy, Hirshbiegel built a huge stage that reminds us the true intention of the Greek Tragedy or Wagner in Gotterdamenung, to shake the soul through the catastrophe, is what we experience after we leave the Hall a true cathartic experience.

That superior coherence, the fact of fixing without congealing the feat of communicate expressions without the use of words is what it makes of this artwork a supreme masterpiece.

I am a german woman. After I saw this movie I felt terrible. It is hardly to believe what happened once. This movie shows the last days of Adolf Hitler. There exist many movies about Hitler, but this one is something special, because the actors and actresses are more than convincing. The movie shows a Hitler who also has a human side. Many people, also me, are sceptical about this, but first this fact gives the movie something special.
You can not only see the last days of this brutal man, also of the doctor Goebbel and his family.

This movie is one of the best movies I have ever seen and in my opinion the best movie which was ever made by germans...

This is a recreation of the last days in the Hitler bunker before Germany surrendered. It features a powerhouse performance by Bruno Ganz as Adolph Hitler, ranging from frustrated paranoia, self-delusion, rage and acts of kindness toward some on his staff. Ganz avoids haminess and bulging eyes to give a very unsettling portrait of a rational monster, so charismatic he could still command the loyalty of the Army, the SS and his personal staff, but who also was an increasingly broken, delusional leader subject to almost incoherent rages.

What struck me in this movie was the degree to which the people around Hitler continued to serve him. Increasingly among themselves they questioned his judgment and even his sanity, and certainly worried about their own safety, but they did his bidding. If any case could be made about the evil such concepts as patriotism, honor and loyalty can be put to, this movie is one to study. One of the most disturbing scenes is Magda Goebels with the assistance of an SS doctor giving her children sleeping drafts. She returns later and while her husband waits outside the children's room, she places a cyanide capsule in each mouth and forces her children's jaws shut to crunch open the ampules. She kills each child. She couldn't conceive of a world without National Socialism and didn't want her children to live in a world without it.

Most of the movie takes place in the bunker, to some extent from the vantage point of one of Hitler's secretaries, Traudle Junge. Enough takes place above ground amid the fighting and wreckage of what Berlin had become to give a clear idea of the horrors Hitler visited among Germans. One has to remember the millions who died by Hitler's orders, and that they died largely at the hands of other Germans. Still, pointless deaths of boys and girls scarcely in their teens, lynchings of frightened deserters and grandfathers by Nazi vigilantes is not pleasant viewing.

The Hitler bunker was a situation where fact was far stranger than fiction could ever be. I thought this was a compelling movie.

Downfall proves to be an excellent movie about the last days of the Third Reich, as Hitler and his closest advisors and friends dealt with the total destruction of their world around them. This movie will be compared with the two earlier efforts made in the English language and needless to say, Downfall surpassed both of these films quite easily.

The movie in parts, is seen through the eyes of Traudl Junge, Hitler's personal secretary. Its through her perception that we get a balanced view of Adolf Hitler who borderline as psychopathic manaic as the Fuhrer of the Third Reich and a more human Hitler when viewed in a private setting. Hitler, played fantastically well by Bruno Ganz remained the core of the movie as the sun from which all planets evolved around. Ganz captured Hitler perfectly, showing all elements of Hitler's personality with a fine touch of balance. This was something Alec Guiness and Anthony Hopkins were unable to do in their effort. Ganz was well supported by his supporting players, I was specially impressed with Corinna Harfoual who played Madga Goebbel and the scene where she murdered her children proves to be quite disturbing as well as chilling.

I think the only real weakness of the movie comes in the introduction of some of the characters. For many who are not strong in history of the Third Reich, many of the characters and their functions will appears to be confusing and mysterious. The movie doesn't do a very good job in introduction of host of characters.

The DVD edition of this film proves to be pretty well put together. I owned a regular 45 inch projection TV and the images looked quite good. The German language 5.1 proves to be quite active and the English subtitles proves to be easy to read and understand. There are two special features item. One is the "Making of Downfall" feature and other is individual interviews with some of the actors. If you see the "Making of" feature first, there is no reason to see the interviews since the interviews all came from the "Making of Downfall" feature.

The movie come highly recommended to anyone who have an interest in this genre.