Review of Downfall (2004) by Asif K — 26 Sep 2011
Perhap one of the most uncomprimisng war films of recent years.
Downfall depicts the Battle of Berlin in the last days of the Second World War, and the claustrophobic and surreal atmosphere in Hitler's bunker.
Unlike so many hollywood films of this period, this is no substantard star wars style tale. This film dares to depict one of History's most infamous figures as a human, not as a fantastic evil that could not possibly exist.
Veteran German actor Bruno Ganz gives a powerhouse performance as Adolf Hitler, making the dictator fearsome but also wretched and pitiful at the same time. Here is a man wallowing in a hell of his own creation; abandoned by all those who 'swore' loyalty to him.
Portraying Hitler in this fashion makes him all the more insidious, a man who his kind to his secretary and his dog. And then order the extermination of six million people shows the paradoxial nature of the human psyche. Evil with human frailties is the most dangerous evil of all.
A powerful and thought provoking film.
This review of Downfall (2004) was written by Asif K on 26 Sep 2011.
Downfall has generally received very positive reviews.
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