Country: Germany | Italy | Austria
Language: German | Russian
Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel
Original Title: Der Untergang
This 2004 German film is very close to reality and at times very disturbing. It shows the story of the last few days of Hitler's life inside the Chancellery Bunker. Though treating such a delicate subject has its own risks of falling in one or more of the several moral or artistic traps, but Oliver Hirschbiegel, the director, in my opinion, has made a very good biographical film remaining as neutral as one could remain.
Bruno Ganz is remarkable as Hitler and his voice resemblance to Der Fuhrer is haunting; although, he looks a little more bulky than Hitler.
All the other actors are very good as well.
Nearly all the scenes of the film convey the feeling that they are taking place in the present reality. The language also plays a part in making it all the more real. And the actors, most of them German, communicate the reality as you realize that these people are descendants of the people who suffered all this.
A very good work of art. Not as good if you are looking for pure entertainment.
I have heard a lot of praise for this movie. I am thrilled to see you managed to acquire a copy and watch it. The story of the Wolf's Lair (as the bunker was known, I believe) is something that everybody wants to peep into. If a film manages to offer this kind of thoughtful voyeuristic pleasure I think the medium advances a notch. Hope they make more such films that use the form in such a productive manner. A fine balance between a documentary and a thriller.
ReplyDeleteIf you have not seen the film I can lend it to you and we meet that ways :)
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