Downfall

aka: Der Untergang
Germany 2004, 156 minutes
Dir. Oliver Hirschbiegel
In German with English subtitles
Rating: [R]
Genres: Foreign Cinema, Drama / War

Topics: Period 1940s.

Feat. Bruno Ganz, Thomas Kretschmann, Juliane Kohler, Corinna Harfouch, Ulrich Matthes

Aroview: Widely acclaimed for its claustrophobic intensity, intelligence and detail, this vivid re-enactment of the last ten days in the life of Adolf Hitler features a outstanding lead performance by Bruno Ganz (WINGS OF DESIRE).

Derived largely from the memoirs of the Fuhrer's secretary, Traudl Junge, herself the subject of the documentary BLIND SPOT, this manages to convey the complex 'bunker dynamics' of the desperate Nazi regime and their varied families, minions, servants, doctors and 'Hitler Youth' defenders. The plot's mixture of malevolence, pity and fear is certainly captivating, and its place in film history is assured as the first German film to ever feature an actor portraying Hitler.