Downfall
1 Oscar Nominations
In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Russian Army closing in from the east and the Allied Expeditionary Force attacking from the west. In Berlin, capital of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his generals and advisers to fight to the last man. When the end finally does come, and Hitler lies dead by his own hand, what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin, and lay down their arms in surrender.
What critics thought
Broadly acclaimed on release and since, Downfall remains most discussed for the central question it forced critics to confront: whether putting a recognizably human face on Hitler illuminates history or risks softening it. Bruno Ganz's performance drew near-universal admiration, but opinions split sharply on whether the film's close, empathetic vantage point constitutes a moral achievement or a dangerous abdication of judgment.
“this is the only one which to me is compelling. Part of this is the voice. Ganz has Hitler's voice to near perfection. It is chillingly authentic”
Ian Kershaw·The Guardian
“This Hitler may be human, but he's as utterly degraded a human being as has ever been shown on the screen, a man whose every impulse leads to annihilation”
David Denby·The New Yorker
“Downfall is an intelligent, thoroughly researched recreation of Hitler's last days, and a terrific movie.”
Alex von Tunzelmann·The Guardian
Genres
Biography, Drama, History
Cast & Crew
DirectorOliver Hirschbiegel
StarringBruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Corinna Harfouch, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Köhler
ComposerStephan Zacharias
Downfall
1 Oscar Nominations
In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Russian Army closing in from the east and the Allied Expeditionary Force attacking from the west. In Berlin, capital of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his generals and advisers to fight to the last man. When the end finally does come, and Hitler lies dead by his own hand, what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin, and lay down their arms in surrender.
What critics thought
Broadly acclaimed on release and since, Downfall remains most discussed for the central question it forced critics to confront: whether putting a recognizably human face on Hitler illuminates history or risks softening it. Bruno Ganz's performance drew near-universal admiration, but opinions split sharply on whether the film's close, empathetic vantage point constitutes a moral achievement or a dangerous abdication of judgment.
“this is the only one which to me is compelling. Part of this is the voice. Ganz has Hitler's voice to near perfection. It is chillingly authentic”
Ian Kershaw·The Guardian
“This Hitler may be human, but he's as utterly degraded a human being as has ever been shown on the screen, a man whose every impulse leads to annihilation”
David Denby·The New Yorker
“Downfall is an intelligent, thoroughly researched recreation of Hitler's last days, and a terrific movie.”
Alex von Tunzelmann·The Guardian
Genres
Biography, Drama, History
Cast & Crew
DirectorOliver Hirschbiegel
StarringBruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Corinna Harfouch, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Köhler
ComposerStephan Zacharias