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Downfall [2004]
![Downfall [2004]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513HGB9B2RL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £4.81 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
The riveting subject of Downfall is nothing less than the disintegration of Adolph Hitler in mind, body, and soul. A 2005 Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film, this German historical drama stars Bruno Ganz as Hitler, whose psychic meltdown is depicted in sobering detail, suggesting a fallen, pathetic dictator on the verge on insanity, resorting to suicide (along with Eva Braun and Joseph and Magda Goebbels) as his Nazi empire burns amidst chaos in mid-1945. While staging most of the film in the claustrophobic bunker where Hitler spent his final days, director Oliver Hirschbiegel dares to show the gentler human side of der Fuehrer, as opposed to the pure embodiment of evil so familiar from many other Nazi-era dramas. This balanced portrayal does not inspire sympathy, however: We simply see the complexity of Hitler's character in the greater context of his inevitable downfall, and a more realistic (and therefore more horrifying) biographical portrait of madness on both epic and intimate scales. By ending with a chilling clip from the 2002 documentary Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary, this unforgettable film gains another dimension of sobering authenticity. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
brilliantly harrowing
Review date: 2008-11-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
A wonderful film, Ganz is simply suberb - the rest of the cast perform fantastically too.
Against all odds the filmmakers have managed to pull off the tricky task off producing a non-judgmental, sympathetic yet critical, almost documentary style and, above all, accurate film following to final days of the various inhabitants of Hitlers bunker
The insanity of the Fuhrers final days is captured in harrowing detail from several perspectives, this a film that should be watched by anyone with an interest in World War II.
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Reviews
Stifling and claustrophobic - a deeply shocking yet superb film
Review date: 2008-10-20 Rating: 10 out of 10
A simply faultless production and Ganz is without doubt the best actor to ever play role of Hitler.
The stifling claustrophobic atmosphere the director has created in this film will always haunt you.
Just buy it and watch it, you'll never ever forget it.
Excellent
Review date: 2008-10-17 Rating: 10 out of 10
A thoroughly convincing portrayal of the Fall of Berlin.A very thought provoking and at times shocking film.Superb
Disturbing film, reminder that humans can be dangerous animals
Review date: 2008-10-17 Rating: 10 out of 10
Oddly enough what brought this film to my attention was a short clip from the film that was over dubbed with funny dilalogue about the "wrong motorbike" (well worth a look at on U-tube)
This as I say took my interest about the original film and have to say a must see film. You can feel the venom ooze through the film, I can only say thank goodness the nazis never won the war, truly scary people.
Pick a time when you can be undisturbed watch it, and be disturbed.
One of the bravest and greatest movies to come out of Germany
Review date: 2008-10-14 Rating: 10 out of 10
"Der Untergang" (or "Downfall" in translation) is a truly amazing piece of cinema. Telling the last few weeks of Hitler's life in the Führerbunker under Berlin at the end of the war, this is a very brave piece of work and Bruno Ganz's portrail of Hitler is a very important one. Ganz manages to show the very important fact that Hitler genuinely believed he was acting for the best and that his deeds were for the good of the world - which Ganz manages to get absolutely perfectly balanced. My favourite performance comes from Corinna Harfouch as Magda Goebbels, particularly in the scenes before, during and after the death of her children. The special and visual effects and stunning and it's a gripping film (even though we all know the outcome!).
The translation used in the English subtitles is both true to the original dialogue and flows nicely in English. Some spectacular scenes and performances you don't forget easily. I wish Hollywood would be this brave!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Ulrich Matthes
Corinna Harfouch
Bruno Ganz
Creators:
Bruno Ganz (Primary Contributor)
Corinna Harfouch (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Momentum Pictures
Manufacturer: Momentum Pictures
EAN: 5060049147093
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2005-09-19
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 149 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: German (Original Language)