Downfall 2004

In April of 1945 Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Soviet Armies closing in from the west and south. In Berlin capital of the Third Reich Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his Generals and advisers to fight to the last man. Downfall explores these final days of the Reich where senior German leaders (such as Himmler and Goring) began defecting from their beloved Fuhrer in an effort to save their own lives while still others (Joseph Goebbels) pledge to die with Hitler. Hitler himself degenerates into a paranoid shell of a man full of optimism one moment and suicidal depression the next. When the end finally does comes and Hitler lies dead by his own hand what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin and lay down their arms in surrender.

Review

"Der Untergang" is certainly the most impressive depressive and realistic dramatic movie about the World War II ever made. I have never seen a film picturing the insanity of Hitler in his very last days in a bunker in Berlin with his high command and how the German people were hypnotized by him like in this film. Last year I saw the deceptive boring pretentious and overrated "Molokh" showing a caricature of Hitler and Eva Braun in Bavaria. But "Der Untergang" is awesome and comparable to "Apocalypse Now!" my favorite movie of war.

Two years ago I saw the powerful "Das Experiment" and I was impressed with the work of Oliver Hirschbiegel. With "Der Untergang" this director is certainly included in my list of favorite directors. It is difficult to highlight one actor or actress in this constellation of stars but I was impressed with the performance of Bruno Ganz and his "human" Hitler totally different from the stereotypes usual in other movies. The cinematography and the battles are stunning and the scenario of Berlin completely destroyed recalled the neorealistic movie of Roberto Rossellini "Germania Anno Zero".

For those who know Germany and German people it is amazing to see how this wonderful country survived to the chaos destruction and lack of command arrived from the ashes like Phoenix and sixty years later is again one of the greatest nations. For those who might have believed in Hitler and his Nazi Party it is impressive to see how people is forgotten and treated without compassion by their leader in his last hours. And for those who love war I really recommend to watch this magnificent antiwar movie and see the behavior of the leaders and population when a war is lost. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil) "A Queda! As Últimas Horas de Hitler" ("The Fall! The Last Hours of Hitler")