Valkyrie
Wounded in Africa during World War II, Nazi Col. Claus von Stauffenberg returns to his native Germany and joins the Resistance in a daring plan to create a shadow government and assassinate Adolf Hitler. When events unfold so that he becomes a central player, he finds himself tasked with both leading the coup and personally killing the Führer.
What critics thought
A competent but emotionally inert historical thriller that left critics divided primarily over Tom Cruise — whether his controlled, low-key turn suited the material or simply failed to conjure the charisma Stauffenberg actually possessed. German critics were notably harsher on Cruise than their American counterparts, while broadly welcoming the film's respectful treatment of the resistance story. Singer's direction drew consistent criticism for slickness over substance: handsome production values and crisp procedural mechanics, but not enough tension or interior life to make the outcome feel anything other than foregone.
“It's a smooth, compelling, almost suspenseful ... and slightly hollow Hollywood period piece - a World War II action-drama in which an intriguing (but not electrifying) star performance is buttressed by stellar support.”
Ty Burr·The Boston Globe
“I'm not going to argue that Valkyrie is a great movie. But in its way it is a thoughtful and entertaining one, especially in comparison with the pomp and pretentiousness of most of the competition this holiday season.”
Richard Schickel·Time
“Mr. Cruise's performance turns out to be brisk and reasonably plausible, though unexceptional, while the production as a whole succeeds as an elaborate procedural, impressively staged in historical locations.”
Joe Morganstern·Wall Street Journal
“[Cruise's] image as an actor has been finally ruined by Valkyrie ... [the film] doesn't dare to be popcorn cinema and at the same time lacks any conceptual brilliance.”
Der Tagesspiegel
Genres
Drama, History, Thriller
Cast & Crew
Bryan SingerDirector
Tom CruiseClaus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg
Kenneth BranaghHenning von Tresckow
Bill NighyFriedrich Olbricht
Terence StampLudwig Beck
Tom WilkinsonFriedrich Fromm
Carice van HoutenNina Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg
Kenneth CranhamField Marshal Wilhelm Keitel
Thomas KretschmannOtto Ernst Remer
Suzy Eddie IzzardErich Fellgiebel
Kevin McNallyCarl-Friedrich Goerdeler
David BamberAdolf Hitler
Tom HollanderColonel Heinz Brandt
John OttmanComposer
Christopher McQuarrieWriter
Newton Thomas SigelCinematographyValkyrie
Wounded in Africa during World War II, Nazi Col. Claus von Stauffenberg returns to his native Germany and joins the Resistance in a daring plan to create a shadow government and assassinate Adolf Hitler. When events unfold so that he becomes a central player, he finds himself tasked with both leading the coup and personally killing the Führer.
What critics thought
A competent but emotionally inert historical thriller that left critics divided primarily over Tom Cruise — whether his controlled, low-key turn suited the material or simply failed to conjure the charisma Stauffenberg actually possessed. German critics were notably harsher on Cruise than their American counterparts, while broadly welcoming the film's respectful treatment of the resistance story. Singer's direction drew consistent criticism for slickness over substance: handsome production values and crisp procedural mechanics, but not enough tension or interior life to make the outcome feel anything other than foregone.
“It's a smooth, compelling, almost suspenseful ... and slightly hollow Hollywood period piece - a World War II action-drama in which an intriguing (but not electrifying) star performance is buttressed by stellar support.”
Ty Burr·The Boston Globe
“I'm not going to argue that Valkyrie is a great movie. But in its way it is a thoughtful and entertaining one, especially in comparison with the pomp and pretentiousness of most of the competition this holiday season.”
Richard Schickel·Time
“Mr. Cruise's performance turns out to be brisk and reasonably plausible, though unexceptional, while the production as a whole succeeds as an elaborate procedural, impressively staged in historical locations.”
Joe Morganstern·Wall Street Journal
“[Cruise's] image as an actor has been finally ruined by Valkyrie ... [the film] doesn't dare to be popcorn cinema and at the same time lacks any conceptual brilliance.”
Der Tagesspiegel
Genres
Drama, History, Thriller
Cast & Crew
Bryan SingerDirectorTom CruiseClaus Schenk Graf von StauffenbergKenneth BranaghHenning von TresckowBill NighyFriedrich OlbrichtTerence StampLudwig BeckTom WilkinsonFriedrich FrommCarice van HoutenNina Schenk Gräfin von StauffenbergKenneth CranhamField Marshal Wilhelm KeitelThomas KretschmannOtto Ernst RemerSuzy Eddie IzzardErich FellgiebelKevin McNallyCarl-Friedrich GoerdelerDavid BamberAdolf HitlerTom HollanderColonel Heinz BrandtJohn OttmanComposerChristopher McQuarrieWriterNewton Thomas SigelCinematography