Review of Downfall (1997) by Phil H — 02 Apr 2010
A superb study of the collapse of an individual and an ideology, Bruno Ganz pulls off an unbelievably realistic and gripping portrayal of Adolf Hitler and his final day's as leader of Nazi Germany. Visibly shrinking, shaking and alternating between despair and madness, he contemplates the end of the Third Reich.
At 150 minutes plus, Downfall could be a real endurance test but the running time zips by, simply because the whole thing is just so absorbing and so compelling. What could hurt it is the death of its main character, and yes, the half hour after Hitler's suicide is somewhat less brilliant than the rest of the film, not necessarily a critism - all the same a definite a must see.
This review of Downfall (1997) was written by Phil H on 02 Apr 2010.
Downfall has generally received very positive reviews.
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