Review of Valkyrie (2008) by Sandra V — 04 May 2014

This is an intense and gripping film with a great cast and an impressive performance from Tom Cruise, who does his best, and mostly succeeds, to disappear into character. The locations and costumes are incredibly detailed and accurate and even though you know the outcome, Singer still manages to create real and nerve-wracking suspense and you find yourself wishing somehow that the conspirators will accomplish their mission.

However, the film lacks that certain wow factor, something that will lift it from good to great. Some of the superb actors are criminally underused, and you never get under the skin of Von Stauffenberg to truly understand his motivations.

He is simply stoic and heroic, and some minor flaws would have gone a long way to humanise the character.