Review of Downfall (1997) by Dan S — 07 Feb 2010
An incredible achievement in film-making. A relentlessly bleak, intensely gripping, powerfully discouraging movie in which the diseased mind of Hitler, as well as the people he infects with his hate and false sense of pride, is dissected expertly.
It takes a strong, courageous actor to play Adolf Hitler, and Swiss actor Bruno Ganz (who really deserved an Oscar for this incredible portrayal) is that actor - he is simply phenomenal. The first hour and a half builds up to a dramatic, inevitable moment.
This moment is punctuated coldly and robotically, and it's just amazing to see how Hitler's supporters literally followed him to the grave, even when it made next to no sense. The last hour is powerful stuff, I won't even begin to describe it, but it's a depressing and hard-hitting one that slams into it's audience with resolute force.
To put it simply, this is a film I will never forget, and one that should be viewed by anyone that is interested in Hitler or world history.
This review of Downfall (1997) was written by Dan S on 07 Feb 2010.
Downfall has generally received very positive reviews.
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