Downfall [DVD]
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Movie Reviews of Downfall [DVD]
Movie Review: A True Horror Film
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1945, the remnants of the Third Reich were in the final hours of its death. The Russians were pounding Berlin from the land and air, as the once strong German Army scrambled to avoid annihilation. Adolph Hitler retreats into the confines of a bunker to spend his last few days with his mistress, generals, soldiers, fellow cabinent members and their families, and one Traudl Junge, his personal secretary. What follows is a fascinating, and what I consider to be a true horror story, about insanity, desparation, and the end result of hatred.
This movie is based on the works of two books, one of them authored by Traudl Junge, which gives this film an air of authenticity and realism that is haunting. Junge spoke as a witness to these events, and in fact, the real Junge bookends the film. Chosen out of five women to be Hitler's personal secretary, she was thrilled to be employed by the Furher, and worked very closely with him, even going so far as to enter the bunker with him and refusing to leave. Junge is never in conflict during the film about her role in the Nazi regime, nor ever questions anyone about the possible horrors that would surface; she claimed innocence. With the Russians pounding Berlin with artilery, and Hitler descending into insanity (ordering armies around that don't exist and talking about a great comeback), Junge realizes all is lost, and her decision is when to save herself.
The tour de force performance in this film is Bruno Ganz, who plays Hitler with such realism that you cannot believe this is an actor. He captures Hitler when he is screaming at his generals is that is lifted right out of old films of Hitler speaking at large Nazi rallies, and captures a different man when dealing with people close to him. It's his realism that is eerie; definitely a complex man so successful portrayed.
The other horrifying element in this film occurs later on, with Josef Goebbel's wife Magda's poisoning of her five children in the bunker after Hitler's suicide. After making her children drink a sleeping substance, she methodically and ruthlessly kills all of her children by making them bite glass capsules of poison. The scene was so amazingly powerful that I wanted to weep yet no tears came. It became an incredible image for the heartlessness of a regime so bent on perfection and courage, in a final act of desparation and weakness.
And don't worry: there is nothing in this film that attempts to glorify Hitler, or make him out to be anything that he wasn't. Even in moments that he treats Junge with compassion, the six million people he murdered are never far out of your mind. In fact, when his beloved dog Blondi is killed in the bunker, and Hitler tears up, you wonder how a man could feel so badly for a pet when he ordered the deaths of so many others. His wedding to Eva Braun is not touching or romantic, but a mere formality. It's amazing, to say the least, to watch someone unfold to frightening effects.
Junge went on to escape the bunker, and into a life of hiding, until coming out publicly about her role before her death in 2002. A documentary film was made about her life, in which she was interviewed about what she witnessed. I found Downfall to be the better movie, more thrilling, and ultimately more terrifying, than the documentary. I highly recommend Downfall.
Movie Review: Der Untergang
Summary: 5 Stars
For civilized people, the murderous repugnancy of the Third Reich tends to make one want to look away whenever this evil chapter in human history is opened. Never the less, it is a chapter, and if anything is going to be gained by opening it, it is imperative that the depravity and perversion be illuminated in the non-judgemental light of accuracy. This is what the German film "Der Untergang" (Downfall) does.
As a screenplay, "Der Untergang" is a tragedy only because most of the primary characters commit suicide. It is a reminder that victory for one country is defeat for another. While one society is jubilant, another society, along with it's people, suffers and perishes. Just as the film begins with Traudl Junge's hiring as a secretary, it ends with her escape as a refugee. Thankfully, the curtain closes with a metaphorical ray of hope towards the return of civilization for a people who were deprived of it for over a decade.
As a film, "Der Untergang" knows few peers. It is a deviant and pathological "Band of Brothers". I could not help but be reminded of the World Trade Center as I watched papers flutter to the ground outside the Reich Chancellery. The imagery may have been unintentional, but it was an irrevocable and unwanted visual association, regardless. The result was profound introspection. "Der Untergang" portrays the absolute savage debauchery of war while attempting to illuminate with historical accuracy the mystery of what occurred in the Führerbunker beneath Berlin. In many ways, it is a purging of a poisonous bile for the German people. It blitzkrieged to the top of the German box office. Almost half a million tickets were sold in its opening weekend. It pulled in 480,000 viewers in its first four days despite poor reviews. It was the catharsis the German people had been long denied.
As a United States released DVD, "Downfall" has a few problems. Characters who may be quickly recognized by Germans are not so easily recognized by people in the United States. Many of the generals and other uniformed cronies are nameless and appear the same. It is only later in the film that the identities of critical people are realized. It would have been very helpful and informative had the DVD contained a visual primer for the uninitiated. Perhaps a special features menu with simple photos of the characters and a historical description of their place in the Nazi regime.
Obviously, the film is in the German language. Subtitles are provided. They are, however, rather diminutive on the small screen, and they flash by rapidly to keep pace with the dialogue. As a result, I found myself pausing the DVD to read them. After I paused to keep up with the dialogue, my wife wanted to examine the architecture and stage sets. A viewer selection for translations into English, possible on a DVD, would have preserved the pace of the film.
Some might think Downfall - "Der Untergang" to be aggrandizement of the Nazi aberration that once strode across Europe. Others may find it to be an atonement for the sins of those they can not disassociate themselves from. I found it to be an arresting blend of historical accuracy and the absolute horror and insanity of war. I am thankful I viewed it from my couch rather than in reality.
Movie Review: Excellent and compelling, perhaps a bit overlong
Summary: 5 Stars
A German film about the last days of the Nazi regime, centered on the Fuhrer's bunker, from his 56th birthday on April 20th, 1945 to the fall of Berlin on May 8th. This is certainly a very compelling story (certainly one of the most important stories of the 20th century) and while it has been filmed before, it is the first time it's done in the German language. This makes the movie look far more authentic than when someone like Anthony Hopkins or Alec Guinness played an English speaking Fuhrer. And it has a neat framing device in the story as seen by Hitler's young secretary Traudl Junge. The more compelling parts of the movie, for me, are not the war scenes, but the discussions Hitler has with his closest aides and military staff: Jodl, Krebs, Burgdorf, Keitel, Speer, Wiedling, Mohnke. Most of them know the situation is extremely critical, but they are reluctant to tell the Fuhrer, who is increasingly in denial, promising final victory even after the Russians are only a few kilometers away from his headquarters. Only Goebbels remains completely wedded to the Fuhrer's autistic vision. Even Himmler and Goering, realizing the desperate situation of the Reich try to unsuccessfully arrange negotiations with the allies. These negotiations never got to anything, but Hitler is furious when he learns about them, and consider them both traitors.
Bruno Ganz is brilliant as Hitler, but the movie is considerably helped by the strengths of its many characters. For example, Fegelein, who as Himmler's adjutant, tries to convince Hitler and the other people in the bunker that it's best to leave Berlin. Fegelein meets an untimely fate and has become the subject of many internet gags (more on that later). Or Eva Braun, portrayed here as the ultimate dumb blond totally subservient to his man. Or Magda Goebbels, who can be both cold and hysterical. Perhaps the only character whose portrayal is unsatisfying is Joseph Goebbels, since he is played by an actor in a heavy and ridiculous white make up. Also strange is the decision to have Goering appear in only one scene and without a speaking role, just looking impatiently at his watch.
I remember that when the movie came out, some critics thought the movie was pro Nazi, in that it understood Hitler too much. I think with time it is clear that this charge is ridiculous. This movie clearly shows the delusion of Hitler and the terrible philosophy of the Nazis: no compassion and ultimate indifference to the fate of their own people. One criticism is that perhaps the movie was a bit too long: most of the scenes involving the bald doctor in the hospital or the child soldiers could have been cut and the movie would have been better.
Of course, by now the movie is well known by the hundreds (if not thousands) of parody videos in the Internet where the original audio is retained but the subtitles are changed so that Hitler and his aides end up arguing about a lot of ridiculous and anachronistic subjects (like computer programs, sport teams, pop stars, whatever). Those videos are sometimes very funny (and they have been surprisingly resilient in time given the short attention span of fads in the web), but if the movie on which they are based was not powerful, they couldn't have thrived as they did.
Movie Review: The Last Days of the Third Reich.
Summary: 5 Stars
_Downfall_ is a film which depicts the last days of the Third Reich as Hitler and his cronies await their imminent doom in their bunker as the Russians invade Berlin. Hitler is depicted by Bruno Ganz as suffering from Parkinsonianism and slowly losing his grip on reality, ranting and raving about the failure of the German people and the German generals and military as it becomes more and more apparent that he has lost the war. The film is interesting in that it also shows a more personable side to Hitler, an ambiguous figure in the film, capable at once of kindness towards his secretaries and his dog but also great cruelty. However, one also becomes aware of the ultimate failure of the Third Reich, as one sees how the cult of personality surrounding Hitler fails to serve the German people as innocent German civilians are slaughtered by the Red army. Many of the most loyal in Hitler's regime choose to fight to the end and ultimately commit suicide (serving as would be martyrs of the National Socialist political religion). Goring, Speer, and Himmler all ultimately opt to attempt to save their own lives by betraying Hitler. Goebbels remains loyal to the end and he and his wife murder their own children, in the most sickening of manners, and then commit suicide because they cannot bear a world without National Socialism. Eva Braun too remains loyal to Der Furher, opting to commit suicide with him by cyanide capsule after their marriage in the bunker. (According to the film, Hitler's body was burned following his suicide so as to never be found by the invading Russians. The film does not give credit to many of the various survival myths or alternative accounts of Hitler's last days.) The movie speaks to the horrors of war, and also the cruelty of men, showing the insane cruelty of the Nazi regime and the SS, but also hinting at the equal cruelty of the Soviet army. The movie also speaks to the dangers of fanaticism, showing the way in which many of Hitler's own men obediently followed his every order unto their very death. It should be noted that Hitler had a lifelong fascination with suicide and that several of his former mistresses had committed suicide over him. The unquestioning nature of Hitler's associates is particularly shocking to see depicted on film, although many would break with him and betray him, it becomes clear in the film who constituted the opportunists in the Nazi regime and who constituted the true believers. Also, the conflict between Hitler and his generals and the military became very pronounced as Hitler ultimately turned his back on them and the German people but insisted at the same time that they never surrender. I found this movie to be very disturbing, although no doubt a more accurate depiction of Hitler's ambiguous nature than much of the over-the-top pro-Allied propaganda. While Hitler is depicted as clearly insane (or becoming insane) he is also clearly depicted as a human being and not merely a demon spawn conjured up from the pits of hell. Ultimately however, while the Third Reich regime was a failure, its memory has lived on due both to its insane cruelty and to the role of war in shaping the Twentieth century. This film provides an interesting account of those final days.Movie Review: Downfall, or Last Days of Adolf; Simply Absorbing
Summary: 5 Stars
Of course, this is not the first film that features Adolf Hitler in the center -- Charlie Chaplin did it. Or, this is not the first film that shows the last days of his empire -- Obi Wan did it (no, not Ewan, I'm talking about Alec). But seeing the downfall of Adolf Hitler speaking in his original language is something you should never miss, especially when he is played by Bruno Ganz.
In short, the title of 'Downfall' describes exactly what it is. It's about the last days of Hitler and Nati, and like a big ship going down, the falling empire sucks many people deep into the dark void. In this case, however, it's a mental one -- some try to maintain the order; some run away from reality (usual method, booze); or some just do nothing. And Hitler? Oh, you know his fate -- Eva Brown and lots of gasoline.
ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE THINGS about this film is the actors' uncanny resemblance. The chillingly realistic portrayal of Hitler is done by German-speaking Bruno Ganz (though actually he is a Swiss), whose authentic image and mannerism as Adolf will stay with you long after leaving the theater. (One irony is that ganz is best remembered by his turn as a winged angel in 'Wings of Desire' set in the same city -- Berlin).
Also, see the film's realistic Goebbels and Himler, and compare them with the real-life counterpart. Director Oliver Hirschbiegel (see his gripping prison thriller 'Das Experiment') surely did research. In a sense, Goebbels and his wife (and children) offer the most unnerving scene in the film, which is, I am afraid, very painful to watch.
Though it is obvious that Hitler plays the pivotical role in 'Downfall,' the film is in fact about everyone, soldiers or civilians, who surrounded him in the last days of the Third Reich. The film starts with memoirs narrated by a secretary Traudi Junge hired by Hitler himself, but soon we realize that the film has multi-layered stories that concern all the people in Berlin. And it also concerns their downfall.
Some words about the negative reviews on political ground. Some blames the filmmaker for ignoring the fate of Jewish people. The fact is, it doesn't (see to the ending). But if the film wants to spend so much time in depicting the last days of Hitler in the claustrophobic bunker, well, it is entitled to it, and any (I mean any) people who received decent education already know the pains and deaths Jewish people suffered during the WWII.
The film is always revetting with the convincing atmosphere of the war, and is often terrifying in depicting the atrocious things done during the last days of Hitler, who is clearly losing his mind. But more horrible thing is many people are faithful to his unreasonable orders, and as Goebbels points out at one scene, no one really forced them to do it. They are willing to obey, and they actually did. Perhaps after watching this film, your knowledge about Hitler will not change very much. But the point is, the film is successful in showing him as he is -- he remains as incredibly contradictory, impossible presence throughout, not as monster, but as human. And that's why this small man is so frightening.