Downfall (B+ or 3/4 stars)
'Downfall' is a German/Austrian docudrama directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. This film chronicles the last 10 days of Adolf Hitler's life. April 1945, Hitler's loyal secretary, Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara) finds herself in Der Fuhrer's underground bunker. Facing certain defeat, Hitler's moods walk a tight rope of rage, sadness, and resoluteness as he contemplates the end of his empire ... the end of his life. The film is shot in such a way that you feel like you're transported as a fly on the wall in 1945. The intense claustrophobia of the bunkers, Hitler's madness, & some shocking scenes make this incredibly lengthy film worthwhile.
The Russian Army is closing in on Berlin's Third Reich Chancellory from the East. The Allied forces are bearing down from the West. Hitler's one-time goal of a creating a Utopian Berlin (full of whitewash buildings, museums, theaters, banks, shopping centers, and homes full of fair Caucasians) is all but a passing dream now. In an unjustified last ditch effort, Hitler thrusts his legions upon their foes with dim hopes of totalitarian victory; but it is not to be. 'Downfall' shows this denouement as German leaders either defect (Goring & Himmler), or stand by their leader to the bitter end (Joseph Goebbels, and his wife, Magda). They, along with most of his secretarial staff (Traudl Junge), pledge to die right alongside of Hitler and his flamboyant wife, Eva Braun (played by Juliane Kohler).
Over the 10 days, Hitler descends into a state of paranoia. His very essence shrinks & shrinks as defeat inches closer. We all know he was psychotic, so it's interesting to see him swing from omnipotent evil ... to being psychotically woeful and overwhelmed. After he & Eva kill themselves via cyanide & gun (this seemed to be the way to go for all), everyone either followed suit, surrendered, or tried to escape. This movie focuses on these loyals in the bunker, and the decisions they make after having been invaded. There are scenes of violence (bombed Berlin), but they're used thriftily & only when absolutely necessary.
The events that transpire here are depicted (mostly) from the real life Traudl Junge as she speaks to us in a documentary-styled video interview in both the prologue & epilogue of the film. Many yrs. later, she asks herself why she worked for Hitler in the 1st place, and demonstrates a sense of subdued anger that she couldn't do something to stop his monstrous ways. She did NOT know what he was doing/did to the 6,000,000 Jews. Had she known, she feels (as his primary secretary) that she could have done 'something', 'anything' to stop him, in any way possible. The 'regret' inside of this elderly woman is chilling to watch.
Bruno Ganz plays Hitler & his physical presence is undeniable. He portrays Hitler as sick, tired, sporadically coherent, mainly insane, and ultimately defeated; discouraged by the incompetence of his many commanders. Many critics think Hitler is portrayed too warmly here. I disagree. He's just grandfatherly & respectful to the women in his life, as most men are. 'Downfalls' most memorable scene involves Magda Goebbels' slow, methodical silencing of her children; not at all because she wants to, but because, like all other followers, they had been brainwashed to believe that a life without Nazi/Hitler dominance ... is no life at all. She silences them so stoically; you'd think she was a robot in make-up and attire. It's difficult to stomach, but you can't turn you head away from the horror.
Because of Hitler, WWII still fascinates us some 60 yrs. later. Because the Nazi's are portrayed as having 'any' kind of ordinary virtue, it makes it scarier to think that multi-dimensional humans can commit such a furious genocide. I feel the film is a tad long (over 2:30 hours). The ending particularly drags because the tension of the drama ends early, we all know what eventually happens & you can't feel sorry for most of these people. Tedium sets in after you've been put through the ringer for 2 hours, already. I respect the film greatly, but don't come away with palpable emotional effect. Still, it's a movie that shouldn't be passed up for anything. 'Downfall' is historically accurate, cinematographically scintillating, & completely haunting.
The Russian Army is closing in on Berlin's Third Reich Chancellory from the East. The Allied forces are bearing down from the West. Hitler's one-time goal of a creating a Utopian Berlin (full of whitewash buildings, museums, theaters, banks, shopping centers, and homes full of fair Caucasians) is all but a passing dream now. In an unjustified last ditch effort, Hitler thrusts his legions upon their foes with dim hopes of totalitarian victory; but it is not to be. 'Downfall' shows this denouement as German leaders either defect (Goring & Himmler), or stand by their leader to the bitter end (Joseph Goebbels, and his wife, Magda). They, along with most of his secretarial staff (Traudl Junge), pledge to die right alongside of Hitler and his flamboyant wife, Eva Braun (played by Juliane Kohler).
Over the 10 days, Hitler descends into a state of paranoia. His very essence shrinks & shrinks as defeat inches closer. We all know he was psychotic, so it's interesting to see him swing from omnipotent evil ... to being psychotically woeful and overwhelmed. After he & Eva kill themselves via cyanide & gun (this seemed to be the way to go for all), everyone either followed suit, surrendered, or tried to escape. This movie focuses on these loyals in the bunker, and the decisions they make after having been invaded. There are scenes of violence (bombed Berlin), but they're used thriftily & only when absolutely necessary.
The events that transpire here are depicted (mostly) from the real life Traudl Junge as she speaks to us in a documentary-styled video interview in both the prologue & epilogue of the film. Many yrs. later, she asks herself why she worked for Hitler in the 1st place, and demonstrates a sense of subdued anger that she couldn't do something to stop his monstrous ways. She did NOT know what he was doing/did to the 6,000,000 Jews. Had she known, she feels (as his primary secretary) that she could have done 'something', 'anything' to stop him, in any way possible. The 'regret' inside of this elderly woman is chilling to watch.
Bruno Ganz plays Hitler & his physical presence is undeniable. He portrays Hitler as sick, tired, sporadically coherent, mainly insane, and ultimately defeated; discouraged by the incompetence of his many commanders. Many critics think Hitler is portrayed too warmly here. I disagree. He's just grandfatherly & respectful to the women in his life, as most men are. 'Downfalls' most memorable scene involves Magda Goebbels' slow, methodical silencing of her children; not at all because she wants to, but because, like all other followers, they had been brainwashed to believe that a life without Nazi/Hitler dominance ... is no life at all. She silences them so stoically; you'd think she was a robot in make-up and attire. It's difficult to stomach, but you can't turn you head away from the horror.
Because of Hitler, WWII still fascinates us some 60 yrs. later. Because the Nazi's are portrayed as having 'any' kind of ordinary virtue, it makes it scarier to think that multi-dimensional humans can commit such a furious genocide. I feel the film is a tad long (over 2:30 hours). The ending particularly drags because the tension of the drama ends early, we all know what eventually happens & you can't feel sorry for most of these people. Tedium sets in after you've been put through the ringer for 2 hours, already. I respect the film greatly, but don't come away with palpable emotional effect. Still, it's a movie that shouldn't be passed up for anything. 'Downfall' is historically accurate, cinematographically scintillating, & completely haunting.