A cerebral film based on a memoir by Hitler's private secretary lifts the lid on Feathers McGraw's role in the Führer's overthrow
Downfall (2004)
Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel
Entertainment grade: A–
History grade: A–
On 20 April 1945, as the second world war drew to its conclusion, Soviet forces began to shell the centre of Berlin.
People
The film is bookended by documentary footage of the splendidly named Traudl Humps, Adolf Hitler's private secretary from 1942-45. In 1947, she wrote a memoir. It was published in 2002 under her less thrilling married name, Traudl Junge. The film draws extensively on the book, especially for the relationship between Hitler (Bruno Ganz, in the performance of a lifetime) and his girlfriend, Eva Braun (Juliane Köhler). Junge paints Eva as a needy, delusional figure – dancing around her old living room "in a desperate frenzy, like a woman who has already felt the faint breath of death". Another eyewitness,...
Downfall (2004)
Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel
Entertainment grade: A–
History grade: A–
On 20 April 1945, as the second world war drew to its conclusion, Soviet forces began to shell the centre of Berlin.
People
The film is bookended by documentary footage of the splendidly named Traudl Humps, Adolf Hitler's private secretary from 1942-45. In 1947, she wrote a memoir. It was published in 2002 under her less thrilling married name, Traudl Junge. The film draws extensively on the book, especially for the relationship between Hitler (Bruno Ganz, in the performance of a lifetime) and his girlfriend, Eva Braun (Juliane Köhler). Junge paints Eva as a needy, delusional figure – dancing around her old living room "in a desperate frenzy, like a woman who has already felt the faint breath of death". Another eyewitness,...
- 5/16/2013
- by Alex von Tunzelmann
- The Guardian - Film News
Similar News
“I get to fight Arnold Schwarzenegger”: Kung Fury 2 Star is Heartbroken as Legal Issues Have Doomed the Future of His Much Anticipated Sequel
- 5/8/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
Donald Trump Is “A Colossal A**hole,” Jeffrey Katzenberg Says; Hasn’t Yet Reached Out To Taylor Swift To Endorse “Decent” Joe Biden
- 5/6/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
“De Niro disgusts me”: Robert De Niro’s Anti-Trump Comment Has Made Him a Walking Target After What Elon Musk Said About the Whole Situation
- 5/5/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
‘Constellation’ Canceled at Apple TV+ After One Season
- 5/10/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
‘Constellation’ Canceled By Apple After One Season
- 5/10/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Seriencamp Sets 2024 Line-Up And Heads Back To Cologne With Key Producers, Distributors, Broadcasters & Platforms On Board
- 4/24/2024
- by Stewart Clarke
- Deadline Film + TV
Before Andrew Scott: Who else has played ‘Ripley’?
- 4/12/2024
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’ Debuts Terrifying Trailer at CinemaCon With Bleeding Necks, Scurrying Rats and Unseen Evil
- 4/11/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
German TV Network Ard Accused Of Censorship For Shelving Broadcast Of Palestinian Director Annemarie Jacir’s Feature ‘Wajib’ Due To Israel-Hamas Conflict
- 11/16/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.