Downfall (2004, Germany)
Original / alternative title: Der Untergang
Categories: bunker movies urban warfare movies infantry movies
DownfallDirector: Bernd Eichinger
Czas: 180 minut
Laguages: German
Downfall war movie
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Downfall war movie
Czas: 180 minut
1970-01-01 / 1970-01-01
Traudl Junge, one of the secretaries, recalls the events that took place in Hitler’s bunker in last weeks of World War 2.
Traudl Junge, a 22-year-old woman, is among few candidates to become new private secretary to the Fuhrer. On their first meeting Traudl was very nervous, but Hitler seemed to be a warm and friendly man. Despite her young age she did got the job, but almost 3 years later the situation has changed dramatically. When Nazi troops were retreating on both Eastern and Western Front Hitler together with his staff have moved to the Hitler’s bunker in the heart of Berlin. It is April 1945 and the city is almost surrounded by Soviets, who attack from the east. The situation is dramatic and the Hitler Traudl met in 1942 is long gone. Locked inside the bunker he still plans great counter-offensive that will crash his enemies, but in reality those armies he will push against Soviets do not exists. Hitler simply refuses to face the reality and instead of hearing to advice from his generals he accuses them of sabotage and insubordination. The morale among soldiers is very low, the defence is about to collapse, but for Hitler it is just a matter of bald moves that can save Berlin and change the whole face of the war. His paranoia forces him to seek enemies among his staff instead of finding a way of escaping from Berlin.
War movie based on the memoirs of Traudl Junge, who was Hitler’s last private secretary and until his death he remained inside the bunker, where she was a witness to degradation of Third Reich and the downall of the Fuhrer. With high realism the film shows the atmosphere inside the bunker and the different approach of the staff to inevitable surrender. Very strong movie that shows the brutal reality of how human mind works under such pressure - the enemies are at the gates of Berlin, there are last chances to escape, but some of the officers choose to commit suicide at the last moment rather than leave their post, even though their leader is obviously out of his mind.
Our rating
8.0
Film value
8 / 10
Realism factor
5 / 5
Adventure factor
2 / 5
Historical accuracy
5 / 5
Downfall full movie
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Downfall scene
Events depicted in Downfall
World War II (1936-1945) Battle of Berlin (16 Apr 1945)
Downfall trivia
Parkinson’s disease In order to prepare for the role of Hitler actor Bruno Ganz studied Parkinson’s disease patients in a Swiss hospital. |
Downfall quotes
Wilhelm Keitel: Joseph Goebbels: |
