This is a drama-documentary, dealing with the operation that set out to form a feasible plot to kill Hitler. It features actual footage from the time, someone who was actually there and speaks about it today, narration, and lastly, a group of experts, and actors playing real people involved in the planning in portions set during the time that the ideas were being gone over, both sitting around tables and discussing if this or that way could work, and, of utmost importance, if it would hurt, or benefit, the Nazi cause to go through with the assassination. OK, the last-mentioned group are seen doing other things, as well. This is all inter-cut, and there are times where this seems like it's scared of boring you. Some of the cinematography and editing is a tad flashy. The majority of this is great, though, and it can't be denied that this is well-made, and with impressive production value. Its running time is about forty-some minutes long for both of the episodes, so almost 100 total, or not much less than two hours. The performances are solid. This is interesting and informative. I recommend this to anyone who wants to know about the historical event that, in this case, *didn't* transpire. 7/10
6 Reviews
A real plot to kill Hitler, told BBC-style
dave-8477 August 2006
Part documentary and part movie, this joint BBC/History Channel Mini-Series examines "Operation Foxley", a real SOE (Special Operations Executive) plot to kill Adolph Hitler in World War II that was never carried out. This 2 part mini-series uses actors and narration, mixed with archival footage, to tell the story of the development of the plan in November of 1944. It also utilizes a modern panel of experts who hash over the entire plan, dissecting and discussing the whys and wherefores and ultimately come to their own personal decisions as to whether or not the plan should have been carried out, and why. Additionally the program draws on some personal recollections of people who were alive at the time, both British and German. The film also touches on the cross-agency conflicts between the SOE and the SIS (Secret Intelligence Service - aka MI6). The entire story is told from the point of view of "LB/X", the code name for the British Staff Officer responsible for developing "Foxley".
The production is up to the usual BBC standards with accurate costuming and sets for the recreation of past events. For Americans the British documentary style can be occasionally jarring as the production switches from the modern panel of experts to the recreations and back again. Once you get used to it, though, the transitions are easy to take.
If you're looking for spies and war-time shootouts this is not the program for you. If you're interested in the historical facts, and educated "what-ifs", then this is for you and will keep your interest for the approximately 90 minute running time.
The production is up to the usual BBC standards with accurate costuming and sets for the recreation of past events. For Americans the British documentary style can be occasionally jarring as the production switches from the modern panel of experts to the recreations and back again. Once you get used to it, though, the transitions are easy to take.
If you're looking for spies and war-time shootouts this is not the program for you. If you're interested in the historical facts, and educated "what-ifs", then this is for you and will keep your interest for the approximately 90 minute running time.
Effective but an oddity
eroka24 September 2011
What hits you first and foremost in a documentary found on the Yesterday channel (akin to any History channel) is the style of this doc. The constant switching between dramatisation and reality is not something you see often, especially not when the dramatisation is an almost film noire type style. Add to that a somewhat fancy "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" shooting style and a full sequence of events that fools viewers into thinking they are watching something that had really happened (only to be told at the end of it that all of that never occurred) and have you have one odd documentary. It seems it is about what could have been a sensational discovery (the knowledge of these scheme was unknown until 1994!) yet does not really deliver anything sensational. Therefore it is too long and an hour on this topic would do. I enjoyed nevertheless and I think director Lovering loved directing this one too...
Oh my god
phoonominal28 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The information in it is hazy at best. The whole woman giving suggestions to the officer about killing Hitler. Half of the information did not come out till AFTER the war. yet you've got them talking as if the information was on the internet.
Serious misrepresentation of S.O.E's and I.S.I's. Also i am sorry but having a female officer in the " war room " telling people how to do it. i am fairly sure women IF in the room would have been typing and not shouting out opinion. Again serious misrepresentation of the REAL events.
Very disappointed in everything BUT the acting which i will say was terrific. The main female lead was very good but anyone with any real knowledge about world war 2 will tell you the only reason she is in the show is because the producer or someone on the ethics board decided it best to show a strong woman. Totally ruined it as all i can see now is another female empowerment show. Please if you make another historical show. Use some facts. 3/10 over all and only getting the 3 due to the brilliant work of the two lead actor and actress
Serious misrepresentation of S.O.E's and I.S.I's. Also i am sorry but having a female officer in the " war room " telling people how to do it. i am fairly sure women IF in the room would have been typing and not shouting out opinion. Again serious misrepresentation of the REAL events.
Very disappointed in everything BUT the acting which i will say was terrific. The main female lead was very good but anyone with any real knowledge about world war 2 will tell you the only reason she is in the show is because the producer or someone on the ethics board decided it best to show a strong woman. Totally ruined it as all i can see now is another female empowerment show. Please if you make another historical show. Use some facts. 3/10 over all and only getting the 3 due to the brilliant work of the two lead actor and actress
Fascinating speculation
donb-519-3350753 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
If you are a serious student of WW II - and like tense dramas - this is the film for you. Produced by the BBC "Killling Hitler" studies the little known "Operation Foxley" - a planned attempt to kill Hitler. Extracted from British intelligence files it follows the story of a British officer referred to a L/BX - who was challenged to devise a way to assassinate Adolf Hitler. This mentions some of the numerous actual attempts to assassinate Hitler (best portrayed in "Hitler's Bodyguard") a multiple film series which describes the many attempts to kill Hitler and how he almost miraculously escaped all of them, of course which just added to his belief that he was immortal.
The filming of "Killing Hitler" juxtaposes a very realistic portrayal of the very stressful process of devising a way to kill Hitler, with the political infighting between various British organizations - SOE (Special Operations Executive) and the SIS ( Secret Intelligence Service). The story moves quickly building up quite a lot of suspense - especially for an event which never happened.
The debate as to whether it was even desirable to kill Hitler is an interesting sidelight to the story. (He was such a terrible military tactician that many thought it was better to let him continue to lead his forces to disaster.) NOTE: the latest Military History Quarterly - Vol 26 #4 - places almost equal blame on the German General Staff for the military fiascoes.
The other fascinating element in the movie is the dialogue/analysis of a group of eminent historians and military analysts who are discussing the possibility of the various schemes which are part of Operation Foxley's evolving plans. Then lend additional credibility to the story and give an interesting "after the fact" perspective to the historical drama.
The DVD I saw had an additional bonus material which described the work of Walter C. Langer who was commissioned to develop a psychological profile of Hitler. I also enjoyed this film - also well done and the speculative analysis which they worked out in 1943 seems to carry water.
If you are a WWII fan - these films are worth the time.
The filming of "Killing Hitler" juxtaposes a very realistic portrayal of the very stressful process of devising a way to kill Hitler, with the political infighting between various British organizations - SOE (Special Operations Executive) and the SIS ( Secret Intelligence Service). The story moves quickly building up quite a lot of suspense - especially for an event which never happened.
The debate as to whether it was even desirable to kill Hitler is an interesting sidelight to the story. (He was such a terrible military tactician that many thought it was better to let him continue to lead his forces to disaster.) NOTE: the latest Military History Quarterly - Vol 26 #4 - places almost equal blame on the German General Staff for the military fiascoes.
The other fascinating element in the movie is the dialogue/analysis of a group of eminent historians and military analysts who are discussing the possibility of the various schemes which are part of Operation Foxley's evolving plans. Then lend additional credibility to the story and give an interesting "after the fact" perspective to the historical drama.
The DVD I saw had an additional bonus material which described the work of Walter C. Langer who was commissioned to develop a psychological profile of Hitler. I also enjoyed this film - also well done and the speculative analysis which they worked out in 1943 seems to carry water.
If you are a WWII fan - these films are worth the time.
Re: Phoonominal's review...
mike-364129 January 2017
Regarding Phoonominal's review of this excellent drama-documentary, he (I presume) is substantially incorrect about the role of women in SIS.
In WW2, SIS recruited from all circumstances, anyone who could contribute to the cause would be eligible.
Consequently there were a fair number of women in executive positions, including planning.
In several cases women ran entire networks for SIS, e.g. Marie Fouchard.
(The same is true of SOE, particularly in the field).
So, my recommendation is to ignore Phoonominal's ill-informed guesswork and watch this terrific, well-acted and fact-based production.
In WW2, SIS recruited from all circumstances, anyone who could contribute to the cause would be eligible.
Consequently there were a fair number of women in executive positions, including planning.
In several cases women ran entire networks for SIS, e.g. Marie Fouchard.
(The same is true of SOE, particularly in the field).
So, my recommendation is to ignore Phoonominal's ill-informed guesswork and watch this terrific, well-acted and fact-based production.
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