Downfall (2004) - War Film

It is indeed very tough to describe Adolf Hitler, should he be called one of the most hated man who ever lived on earth? And after reading and watching so many documentaries / movies on his life – I came across this one and it turns out to be one hell of a movie based on the “last ten days of his life as the Dictator”. Almost 150 minutes run time but never for a moment I felt that it was that long, simply superb casting, initially I thought I am going to laugh on the way he gets angry whenever something goes wrong but the way “Bruno Ganz” plays Hitler its totally amazing, terrific job, what awesome body language, expressions, dialogue delivery etc. So far, this is one of the closest account and a superb insight on the man and his last days, which actually shows how exactly it happened. You can call it predictable right from the very start since we all know by heart – how and what is going to happen next but it’s totally convincing to see how they made it. The movie is made on a book which was written on the memoirs of one of Hitler’s secretaries Traudl Junge (Superbly done by beautiful Alexandra Maria Lara). Obviously it will not be right to say that one can sympathize with Hitler during his last days, what happens to him in the end is actually painful but I believe he deserved much worse, he saves himself by deciding to never get caught dead or alive, and how his loyal team follows his orders is amazing to see. If the history has to be believed – he killed more than 6 million Jews and 50 million of his own men died in the war. Yet! What is unbelievable to read or see in a movie of this kind is that he had so many loyal followers who indeed stick with him till the very end, knowing what fate awaits them – now that’s something we don’t see or read every day, nobody dared tell him that what he is doing is wrong. The movie has so much going on in those 150 minutes, people are dying, Germans running out of ammunition / men, country in ruins, it’s heartening to see kids (German) blowing the Russian tanks and getting awarded for the same, there is a scene where Hitler actually gives awards an “Iron Cross” to a very young boy and says “I wish my Generals were as brave as you are”. One moment you see a furious Hitler delivering choicest of abuses on his Generals and next you see him smiling over kids singing in the bunker. It’s a must watch for those who love biographical stuff, although this can’t be called one as it shows only the last ten days but I guess they were one of the most researched part of History. My ratings – a definite 4/5 with two thumbs up and a very high recommendation to all. Not to be missed.