i never sleep
I doubt it would be possible to make a grittier, more compelling account of the last few days in the bunker. The cast perform their roles with excellence, perfectly depicting the intensity and gravity of their situation.
A masterpiece of a drama interspersed with action scenes which keep me glued to the screen each time I watch the movie.
wendyluhardy
I never even heard of "Downfall" before, guess it played in very few American theaters. It was on Netflix a few months ago, I was wondering if I should even bother with it, looked up the trailer on YouTube, thought it was worth my while & sat down with a bowl of popcorn. I was blown away by this movie, everything about it was great, even though the people around Hitler weren't readily identified (such as in "The Longest Day," another great film), you could pick out Josef & Magda Goebbels, Henrich Himmler, Eva Braun. It's like you, the audience, is there in the bunker with Hitler, watching/listening to him rant & rave to his generals. I would have loved to have seen what life was really like during the last few weeks in Hitler's bunker, but "Downfall" probably comes closer than any other movie. Bruno Ganz should have at least been nominated for an Oscar. The Academy blew it, though (not unusual).This amazing movie didn't get the publicity it deserved when it released. I have never cared for western or war movie genres but there are some exceptions and "Downfall" is one of them. Other war movies I've enjoyed--just for the record--are "Das Boot" (another great German film), "Hacksaw Ridge," "Schlinder's List," "The Pianist," "Saving Private Ryan," "The Longest Day," "The Great Escape," "Valkyrie," "Conspiracy," and "Tora! Tora! Tora!" Haven't seen much beyond that (wait, does "The Final Countdown" count?)Anyway, check out Downfall!
everettgamer
Incredible film of the last days of Hitler and the people who stayed with him in the bunker as the Communists were closing in. Bruno Ganz's performance was spot on from the books written by/about those closest to him, especially his surviving secretary, Traudl Junge. Mr. Ganz vividly portrayed a manipulative monster, one who is very charming and warm when one-on-one with him, who loved dogs, children, and pretty secretaries, yet had a soul of evil that plotted and implemented the extermination of millions of innocent people and started a war that claimed tens of millions more. Christian Berkel is fascinating as the SS doctor trying to save the lives of as many people as he can from the Communist hoards sweeping in to Berlin. We know how this story ended, but now it was told honestly and factually.
