Powerful

hyped garbage

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Movie Review: "Valkyrie" (2008)This event movie has it all; dramatized real-event history, an ensemble cast led by highest-ranked Hollywood star Tom Cruise, thrilling cinematography in elegant accurately-research WW2 National-socialist décor down to the button on any given costume designed by Joanna Johnston, when Director Bryan Singer must comprehend that he took a turn for worse by directing "Superman Returns" (2006) instead match-making "X-Men: The Last Stand" to emotional repulsive as fascinating showdown on an torn Golden Gate Bridge between the mesmerizing iconic confrontation between Hugh Jackman (aka Wolverine) & Famke Janssen (as Dark Phoenix), which had been needed so desperately in "Valkyrie", when main character Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg's portrayal by Tom Cruise comes to emotional suspense-delivering admitted assassination of German-society leading historical recreated figure Adolf Hitler, when a superb ensemble including Kenneth Branagh, Tom Wilkinson and Tom Hollander mimicking German Nazi-officers under the re-juveniling Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer affiliated label "United Artists", founded on February 5th 1919 by Hollywood legends Mary Pickford (1882-1979), Charles Chaplin (1889-1977), Douglas Fairbanks (1883-1939) and D.W. Griffith (1875-1948), comes into motion picture extravaganzas in gripping 115-Minute-Editorial by Christopher McQuarrie-screenplay elevated editor/composer John Ottman. "Valkyrie" remains a perfectly-executed motion picture open for revisits due to solely effortless pleasures of action-thriller entertainment with a reflecting "World-War-2" backdrop.© 2018 Felix Alexander Dausend (Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC)

I had seen Valkyrie, the 2008 film by Bryan Singer at the cinema, and I anxiously awaited its DVD release. I was gifted the DVD shortly after release and watched it for a few months straight several times. I added it to my June schedule after realizing I hadn't seen it in nearly 10 years since those months passed just after the DVD release, to see if it held up for me. I was happy to learn that it did, which is not always the case in a film I liked at the time of release after year pass. Valkyrie stars Tom Cruise and Kenneth Branagh in a retelling of the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler and political coup plotted by renegade German Army officers. Historical films are a tough batch if you're historically inclined and know the outcome of what's being filmed, and Valkyrie managed to sustain suspense despite knowing how the plot turned out. Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) has been severely damaged, like many, by WWII. Losing an eye and an arm in battle, Colonel Stauffenberg along with many others has come to the conclusion that an honorable surrender is the only way out of the war. The problem with the idea of an honorable surrender is the fact that Adolf Hitler would have to be eliminated in order for that to take place. All previous attempts on Hitler's life had failed so Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg has been recruited to head this attempt. In order for this attempt to work, Operation: Valkyrie must be changed to enable the members of the coup to take control of Berlin in the event of Hitler's demise. As the coup members go to work plotting an assassination of Hitler and a military takeover of Berlin, their plan is thwarted by a series of failings and a rout of bad luck.I remember being in the minority on the issue of the switch to English from German at the beginning of the film, and I was still unbothered by the change in language despite being a fan of foreign cinema. Granted, I'm usually on board for inventive methods of storytelling, but the language shift left me equally as unfazed ten years later. the most fulfilling part for me of waiting so long between viewings was being more familiar with the actors in the film. I had never seen a Kenneth Branagh film before the first time I saw Valkyrie, but I had heard about him a great deal; ten years later, however, I am familiar with Branagh and recognized him immediately in Valkyrie. The same can be said with my experience with Eddie Izzard. I had never even heard his name before my first viewing of Valkyrie, Izzard is well known to me now, and it was a treat to see him in such a role. I'm a classic film fan so I don't often get as much experience with contemporary actors as I probably should so this was a fun exercise in recognition that comes with ten years of cinema maturation. The pacing in Valkyrie was perfect building tension through the end of the film beautifully despite one knowing how the film ends. I was also especially stricken by the lighting of the film. Valkyrie was lit in a way that often evoked a dream-like state while simultaneously providing a ripped-from-the- past historical drama feel, as well. Adding to the tension of the well- paced film was the score, filling the audience with a sense of unease at every turn. Valkyrie is a strong war drama, which well utilizes a unique method of storytelling gripping audiences until the final credits roll; I'm glad the film held up.

This film tells the story of a group of German officers who have come to the conclusion that the real threat to Germany is its Chancellor; Adolf Hitler. They come up with an audacious plot that, if it succeeds, will not only kill Hitler but also ensure that the levers of power are wrested from the National Socialist party. Key to the plan is Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg; he is brought in after a previous failed attempted then comes up with a plan that will use the Reich's own security forces to take control when he accuses the SS of being behind the assassination. To do this he must get Hitler himself to sign the orders modifying Operation Valkyrie; an established plan to deal with an attempted coup. He must then get a bomb close to the Hitler before getting away to initiate the actions in Berlin.Given that all but the worst educated viewers will know that Hitler was not assassinated in 1944 this film is surprisingly tense… one can't help wanting the plotters to succeed even though this is based on the facts not wish fulfilment. The cast does an impressive job; especially Tom Cruise in the central role as Colonel von Stauffenberg. He is ably supported by a cast of familiar faces including the likes of Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp and Kenneth Branagh. Thankfully the cast didn't put on German accents… ever since the TV series 'Ello Ello' it has been hard to take actors talking in English with a put on foreign accent seriously! The story is told at a good pace and at no point did I feel it was dragging. Overall I'd certainly recommend this although people expecting lots of action may be a little disappointed; this is more about plotting than action but that doesn't stop it being tense as the protagonists could be exposed at any time.

A largely historically accurate account of the failed 20 July 1944 plot to assassinate Hitler, this is a very effective thriller which maintains a high level of tension and foreboding throughout. The very good script by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander has a nice eye for historical detail and respects the audience's intelligence while Bryan Singer directs the film with his usual flair. At 1 hour and 50 minutes, the film is not especially long and it rollicks along at a very brisk pace.Tom Cruise is a modern day John Wayne in that he is a great film star as opposed to a great actor but he is perfectly fine as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a man of great courage, honour and resourcefulness who is recruited into the German Resistance in 1943 and becomes one of the leading figures in the plot to save Germany from Nazism. Even before the war, von Stauffenberg was dubious of the Nazis and these feelings became more pronounced as he learned of their atrocities. He is able to cut through the constant arguments that are besetting his co-conspirators and convinces them of the necessity of cutting off the snake's head rather than attacking its tail. He has a clarity of vision which makes him the perfect person to lead the operation. His assumption that Hitler has been killed in the explosion at the Wolf's Lair is based not on wishful thinking but on a reasoned and perfectly logical conclusion based on the evidence that he could not have survived, though one which unfortunately turned out to be incorrect.Although he is credited second, Kenneth Branagh has little more than a glorified cameo as General Henning von Tresckow but he is extremely good in the role. Bill Nighy gives the best performance in the film as General Friedrich Olbricht, whose neurotic behaviour and indecision causes many problems for the Resistance. In spite of this, he is depicted as a good man but one who would probably not have been allowed to play such a significant role in the plot due to his unsuitable personal traits if the Resistance had had more options at their disposal. Tom Wilkinson is excellent as the "careerist pig" Friedrich Fromm who becomes involved in the plot out of love for himself rather than out of hatred for the Nazis. Kevin McNally is suitably unctuous as Carl Goerdeler, a more antagonistic figure in the film than in reality who would have become Chancellor of Germany had the plot succeeded. Terence Stamp brings a great deal of quiet dignity to the role of the would-be President Ludwig Beck, who displays great wisdom and integrity in all of his scenes.Out of the supporting cast, I was very impressed by David Bamber as Hitler (who, wisely, is kept off-screen for the most of the film, making only brief appearances), Jamie Parker as Lt. von Haeften, Carice von Houten as von Stauffenberg's wife Nina (who died only two and a half years before the film was released), Thomas Kretschmann as Otto Remer (an infamous postwar Holocaust denier), Christian Berkel as Colonel von Quirnheim, Kenneth Cranham as Field Marshal Keitel and Tom Hollander as Colonel Brandt, a major thorn in the conspirators' side for most of the film who unwittingly saved Hitler's life at the cost of his own when he moved the briefcase containing the bomb. It also features nice small appearances by Bernard Hill, Danny Webb, Chris Larkin, David Schofield and Ian McNeice. However, I thought that Eddie Izzard was a very odd choice for Fellgiebel, though he does try his best.The aborted 15 July attempt on Hitler's life is not depicted in an entirely accurate fashion but, had it been carried out then, it may have had a better chance of success. I can't help but wonder how the Allies would have reacted if the plot had been successful in assassinating Hitler. I'd be interested in reading an alternate history novel on the subject. The use of Operation Valkyrie to seize control of the government was a brilliant idea which could very well have worked if Hitler had been killed. I thought that the film did a very good job of portraying the confusion that plagued both sides in the hours after the bomb was detonated, particularly as regards whether Hitler was alive or dead. He was basically Schrödinger's Führer! Overall, this is a gripping thriller which depicted the events surrounding the 20 July plot and the individuals who laid down their lives to enact it with a great deal of admiration and respect.