Downfall (2004)
Suicide theme, Medium level violence
Downfall tells the story of Hitler's last days in Berlin from his personal secretary Traudl Junge's perspective and is as close to being in the bunker as one can get. By April 1945, the enemy was at the gates. The Russian army is advancing on Berlin and defeat is inevitable. Hitler's moods range from defiance to delusion and others must decide whether to fight or flee, remain loyal or opt for self-preservation. Hitler ponders the fate of Germany whilst Braun parties like the last passenger on the Titanic, Magda Goebbels kills all her children, while Hitler takes advice on the most effective means of suicide. Directed with stunning intensity and admirable objectivity by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Das Experiment), Downfall breaks with taboos in portraying Hitler as a nefarious and seriously flawed man, but just a man nevertheless.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 156mins |
| Origin: | AUSTRIA |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (99)
99 Member
Reviews
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Can't stand subtitles!
Rob
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An excellent account of the downfall of Hitler
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Enjoyable movie, not as good as the first but still good to watch.
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Never seen a war movie quite like this one. Couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Felt like I was there.
Rich
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A long but fascinating film. Incredible story and well shot. Fans of history will love it.
Tim
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The movie from which the Hitler Meme came from.
marion
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interesting
Aaron Ramon Ki Re
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The movie that has been ripped apart by youtube parodies!!! Very well made account of the last days of one of history's most ruthless killers. A must see for anyone interested in World War 2 history or great drama. The testament by Hitler's secretary at the end of the film is thought provoking.
CK
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Fantastic movie! Intense and captivating. Never have I seen a film from the POV of the Germans.
Sarah
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Great movie. Spine-chilling in fact.
Jan Stapleton
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Downfall was a riveting film, even though youknow the story to watch Hitler disintergrate into an old man wa great iewing and extremly well acted
Madlaina
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A must see movie. It's not about the historic nitty gritty of the final days of the war, not about politics, but about human nature at its raw and terrifying core. Showing Hitler as a human being is not a weakness, but the essential strength of the movie. It makes the fact that a whole nation followed him so blindly and that some very intelligent and ambitious people stayed loyal to him to the bitter end all the more chilling. The young, naive and indoctrinated secretary through who's eyes we see this story is representative of a large number of German people of the time, certainly at the beginning of it all. Bruno Ganz, even though not German, is outstanding as Hitler. He is without doubt one of the best character actors of our time in German speaking cinema.
Lynne W
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Excellent view of the last days of Hitler and how he finally came to an end
Bron
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Excellent Bio-pic! Good to see a German perspective of such a horrific time in their modern history!
CL-D
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Just simply brilliant, hard to fault. Again, never given enought airplay. Will go down as a classic, in time such as "the Boat " did.
kimbo
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Traudl Junge, the final secretary for Adolf Hitler, tells of the Nazi dictator's final days in his Berlin bunker at the end of WWII. Outstanding!
SM
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When this began I didn't think much of the story, but it became stronger and more interesting when it showed the final days. Enjoyed the movie. I like historical stories.
Naomi
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Downfall – the acting is impeccable in this well-crafted account of Hitler’s last days in his bunker. It is a revealing character study of one of the most infamous, intriguing and disturbing figures in history, at the time of his demise. I recommend this amazing film for both history buffs and movie fans alike.
McLovin
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I had been waiting a while to see this one and was not disappointed. Very well done, well cast and well portrayed. I liked the character of Eva Braun, and Trudl (the heroine) was excellent. A great insight into the fall of the regime, and the pressures on a mad man losing his grip.
Arthur S.
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Grim but an expert recreation of the time period (as far as I would know). Bruno Ganz almost humanizes Hitler as a pathetic old man and I'm not sure that's such a good thing. No room for schadenfreude here.
Duran K.
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The best WWII movie ever made!
Anne B.
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Absolutely excellent.
Bob
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An enthralling insight into the final days of the Nazi regime. Well acted and spell binding until the very end.
John Bee
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This would have been a worthwhile flick, had I been able to understand it. The trailer had English captions, but the film none that I could find!
Ann
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one of the best movies I have ever seen. The actor, Braun, was great! Highly recommended!!!
Gerd
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The last days of Hitler. Clearly the man was stark raving mad. Yet those bunkered down with him not only failed to take matters into their own hands and save themselves, but still treated Hitler as infallible. They would rather murder their own children than let them survive in a post-Hitler world. Fascinating history and even for German speakers, the English subtitles are useful to catch everything said.
Amanda B.
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This film came highly reccomended and did not disappoint. A chillingly crafted narrative that tells a very sad and disturbing story about the fate of the German people under Hitler and the end of the Third Reich. This is must see viewing at it's best.
Antonie M.
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This is not a fun movie. Obviously, it is not word-true to what really happened but only the view of one close to the action - the secretary. I know Hitler is reported as having temper tantrums, but were they so bad? How come nobody around him saw he was mad? It just goes to show that a charismatic madman can garner a huge following with disastrous consequences. The moral of the story is that everyone should observe and think for themselves, not just blindly follow. That is too much to ask. People keep on falling for slogans, rhetoric and platitudes.
Helen P.
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Interesting to see the "other" side of WW2. Hope to God we never see the likes of Hitler again
Friederike E.
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I have read the book of Traudl Junge, the secretary of Hitler. This is the most authentic report of the last days of Hitler and the Third Reich you can get.
Chris P.
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Downfall is the film with the Hitler dummy-spit scene, which has been redubbed many times on YouTube e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y35Lewh-LM. It depicts Hitler's final days in his Berlin bunker. The Red Army is closing in and the only prospects are death or surrender. The situation is hopeless and pathetic and the film-makers convey this mood effectively. However, it's impossible to feel any sympathy for the architects of the Holocaust as they variously suicide or become increasingly desperate.
I was left wondering how accurately the film portrayed the last few days in the bunker. It's based on the recollections of Traudl Junge, Hitler's secretary but there are some scenes she would not have witnessed personally.
When the film was released I remember a spokesman for Australia's Council of Jewry saying that the film served as a reminder that Hitler was not a deranged maniac but rather he and his fellow senior Nazis were perfectly sane and knew exactly what they were doing.
Jenna B.
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Such a great insight into the final days of one of the most terrifying dictators of all time. A must see for anyone interested in German history
James
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Very long but enjoyable
James
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Very long but enjoyable
Tina M.
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5 ***** all the way, dont miss this one, simply the best world building last days depiction of the bunker which slays all previous efforts. watched this while on a beach holiday - the duality of man is alive!
Nicole F.
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Didn't want to really see it, but other half did. My eyes did not once leave the screen, a really good film.
stimpy
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For those with an interest, a must watch.
Nola B.
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Very realistic version of the last days of Hitler. Well acted by all concerned.
Daniel H.
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Fantastic Documentation about Hitler (rise) and especially his unableness to forgive anyone, not even his own nation. Bruno Ganz playes Hitler perfectly! And teh other actors are faboulous too! Must see!
Linda B.
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An excellent study of a cornered, self-deluding Hitler at the end of his life. Bruno Ganz is, as always, brilliant.
P. C.
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patto
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This purports to show a balanced view by including the 'human side' of Hitler through the eyes of a naive indoctrinated secretary. The 'tender' side is only a minor facet of a real monster. The horrific history of Nazi Germany shouldn't be humanised by presenting the Hitler beast as just being, underneath, a nice person. 3 stars because it is very well done and acted.
Peter B.
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Alison A.
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Saw this on the big screen and was so glad I watched it again on DVD. Gives a wonderful insight into how the people of Germany also suffered under Hitler. Bruno Ganz absolutely superb in the role of Hitler.
Howard R.
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Excellent drama made more real by Author actually being there at the time and experiencing these days herself.
Shannon
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One of the most finely-crafted World War II films ever made.
Joanna
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Gruelling but worthwhile. G
franksting
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without doubt one of the most engaging dramas you will ever see. While it contains one of the most disturbing scenes I have encountered in a movie, a sense of uplift remains
Terence G.
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Absolutely brilliant not to be missed
David O.
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Great movie, very confronting. Not for eveyone.
Terrible moment in history but amazingly recreated.
Ross G.
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Fascinating documentary with useful insights into major historical characters. Well acted and beautifully filmed.
Sacha W.
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Tracey C.
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Loved it - not your usual movie on World War II & Hitler.
Catherine M.
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Craig H.
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Kay S.
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If you dont mind sub titles, this movie is the most realistic telling of Hitler's last days.
Amy W.
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Great film. My boyfriend didnt like the sub titles though.
Robyn K.
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Nathan C.
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Amy W.
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Great film. Really drew me in
Jason M.
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andrew
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One of the best movies I have ever viewed. Bruno Ganz is superb as Hitler, the entire movie is engrossing. So engrossing that after the movie finished, I realised that I had completely forgotten that the movie was subtitled - almost to the extent that I had heard the German and understood it. Great cast, great set and a superb soundtrack, the crashes of rockets and bombs are most dramatic and atmospheric.
This movie is all the better for being a German tale told by Germans. Ganz superbly plays the role of a madman leading other madmen to death and destruction.
Francis S.
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AS I QUOTED IT WAS AN EXCELLENT MOVIE.BUT ONLY THE GERMAN LANGAUGE WHICH I WORKED OUT IN TIME.
Linda R.
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David A.
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Must see, history as told by those who made and lived it and gives insites into how and why.
Victoria S.
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Kerry G.
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Fascinating insight into the mind of a meglomanic and the events of an important point in history.
Julie G.
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fascinating insight into the fall of berlin to the russians and the last days of Hitlers rule
Cindy H.
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This is an amazing film, with excellent performances. Very disturbing in some parts.
Antonio V.
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the story line is brilliant i love the whole structure of the movie
Michael S.
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Sean D.
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Gripping portrayal of Hitlers last hours. Amazing performances and great storyline. A sad look at German's history
Darren R.
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Michael W.
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Excellent - those who win the war write the books - it is interesting to see another view of the men who lead the National Socialist movement, both good & bad.
Elizabeth D.
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George B.
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Kim H.
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a worthwhile movie
Luke R.
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Will always love this movie - very tense and well portrayed
Nadia K.
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Kim L.
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Peter F.
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A good presentation of the last days of the Third Reich.
Carrie M.
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Arno W.
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Bev M.
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Elaine B.
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girlster
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In watching this film, you must remember it's not a piece of "light entertainment to enjoy", - this actually happened. How frightening and clinical these "humans" were. Bruno Ganz is chilling portraying Hitler. Eva Braun just breezed around smoking, drinking, dancing - never questioning Hitler and his men. Watching mother Magda Goebells kill her children and then proceed to play cards - so cold and calculated.! A must for all to see and if nothing else, pray we never let this happen again.
Robert G.
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Tense and scary - accurate portrayal of a true mad dictator with followers so devout they didnt challenge him even when they knew the end was there. Devoid of judgement either way, it will never get more real than this. Bruno Ganz is brilliant.Horrifyingly accurate.
William S.
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Ron
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Long movie, no doubt historically sound when you follow the credits at the end. Interesting view of the final days in Hilter's bunker, with equal time given to many occupants and visitors. Most annoying was the English translation, always in white, often with a while background.
Peter B.
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Yes, good performances all round but for some reason I found the experience a bit empty. I really didn't care who survived at the end. The burning question on the morality of the Nazi quest is never dealt with and Hitler's rantings go unchallenged by all around him (as it happens in dictatorships).
The film was partly based on a book by Hitler's last secretary. She was 'gaga" eyed at his idol and over the moon at being given a job with the 'Furer'. She didn't know much about what she was witnessing and I think it shows in the film. The politics was beyond her and all the discussions of the generals are disjointed and shown only as snippets and impressions.
Even so, worth watching.
Lance P.
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Charles T.
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Dale
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A very fresh and frank look at the last days of Hitler. Amazing acting talent and mood from this german film.
Colin J.
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A stunning movie - riveting and shocking. Germany's first real foray into Hitler movies will be the canonical drama treatment of Hitler's downfall. Ganz does a phenomenal job as Hitler, and the rest of cast tell the dreadful story with tense realism.
Jeffrey B.
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interesting
Rudolf B.
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One of the best war films i have seen.
Matthew B.
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Less than second rate insights into the fall of Hitler. I am extremely underwhelmed by the movie.
Andrzej G.
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Barbara B.
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