Downfall product reviews

I agree entirely with Diogenes. I couldn't tear myself away from this DVD as the madness and futility of Hitler's last days were revealed. Behind the incredible power, evil and control of Hitler was a man who was watching his dreams collapse; a man who was vulnerable.

The film took us into that bunker in Berlin on those last terrible days as the city was pounded into submission by the Russian army, and we were there as Hitler, his generals, advisors and friends scrabbled in the dust of defeat for hope of victory. We are shown the courage, the fear and the madness as soldiers and children fought side by side in the streets, and we are shown the true madness of war when soldiers executed old men for hiding in their homes.

This is a powerful video, and the extra disc has interviews with the stars and biographies of the characters they played, including interviews with the woman who was Hitler's PA (now dead). Like Diogenes I simply can't reccomend this film highly enough whether you are a history student, a pacifist or simply want to learn more about a man that shaped the world we all live in.

A perfect ten for this film, and when you watch it, you will instantly see why a perfect score is so richly deserved.

Far from glamourising war, as many films do, Downfall portrays the final few days of Hitler and his regime in a brutal, and gripping reality. The film is filmed in German (Because it is a german-made film) with English subtitles, which removes the crassness of many other films where all the Germans speak in an accented English (or worse, and German accented American). The director has gone for historical accuracy over a glamourised story, and that approach, combined with showing the human side of the men behind the regime, made the film all the more harrowing to watch - knowing there is the history and accuracy behind the film.

The actor playing Hitler portrays him in a very human manner, which considering the evil nature of the man, it is easy to forget Hitler was human too. Ganz looks convincing, and has a complex character to play, and plays him well. The stills of Ganz as Hitler are as menacing as the photographs of Hitler himself.
The whole cast, crew and writers of the film have done an execellent job in bringing this production first to the big screen, and now to DVD.

I could rave about this film for another thousand words or more, but in short, you must see this one for yourself. The true horror can only be viewed by you.