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Downfall

Discussion in 'WWII Films & TV' started by jpatterson, Feb 18, 2005.

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  1. jpatterson

    jpatterson Member

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    jpatterson, Feb 18, 2005
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  2. Herr Kaleun

    Herr Kaleun Member

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    Downfall aka Der Untergang

    Very limited screenings in the US. :mad:

    I would very much like to see this, but I guess my only hope is to see it on DVD in the future.
     
    Herr Kaleun, Feb 18, 2005
    #2
  3. drache

    drache Member

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    It's playing at the Film Forum here in NYC, I'll try to see it this weekend. Looks fantastic.
     
    drache, Feb 18, 2005
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  4. Friedrich

    Friedrich Expert

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    It looks really amazing.

    And let's see if it gets the Oscar© for Best Foreign FIlm, though this year's contendants are quite strong.

    I'm looking forward to watch it.
     
    Friedrich, Feb 18, 2005
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  5. Kai-Petri

    Kai-Petri Kenraali

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    Great movie! Warning to all those that go to see it, you need to know about people around Hitler or most of the film looks rather pathetic. Unfortunately many of the characters are explained at the end of the film only so leasrn about them beforehand or you only learn about how crazy Hitler at times was and totally had lost understanding of the situation.
     
    Kai-Petri, Feb 19, 2005
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  6. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    I noticed posters all over the place in London this morning - apparently the film goes on general release here from April 1st.

    I'll be interested to read more about this film.....
     
    Martin Bull, Mar 18, 2005
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  7. Stahlberg

    Stahlberg Member

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    Great movie, but Kai is right, you should know about the people around the fuhrer, otherwise it´s as half as good.....you should also know about the operations metioned in the movie.....but if you have a certain knowlegde about the last days of the third reich, you gonna be impressed....lots of historic quotations and the uniforms and other stuff are almost perfect.

    but dont expect too many fighting scenes...."action" takes place mostly in the "fuhrerbunker".
     
    Stahlberg, Mar 18, 2005
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  8. Otto

    Otto GröFaZ Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I have plans to watch this film this evening. I'll post my opinion if I do manage to watch it.
     
    Otto, Mar 18, 2005
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  9. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    I'll be interested to hear your views, Otto - this movie is getting quite a lot of pre-release publicity here this weekend with some positive articles in weekend newspaper supplements.

    Whatever, it sounds like a 'must see'.....
     
    Martin Bull, Mar 19, 2005
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  10. Kai-Petri

    Kai-Petri Kenraali

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    I do think the film at many times marvellously captures the lunatic situation in Berlin 1945.

    Many details that one has read in the books come alive in the movie, and actually I felt rather sad when Magda Göbbels gave the kids poison.

    Also the direction of the camera is used when it is mentioned that "it is all over" or " we must surrender" or the kind and then you start hearing bang-bang and the camera turns around to find several nazi officers who have shot them in the head. Also the family scene when wife starts putting food on the plates and husband releases the handgranade triggers was "touching".

    :eek:
     
    Kai-Petri, Mar 20, 2005
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  11. Otto

    Otto GröFaZ Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Well I saw the film, and I must say it's really very good. Kai hit it on the head: "the film at many times marvelously captures the lunatic situation in Berlin 1945"

    While it is sometimes a little slow (it runs 2 hours, 36 minutes), there are many excellent scenes that let you peek into the surreal insanity going on within the Nazi Hierarchy in the Final days of the 3rd Reich. Bruno Ganz in spot on as Adolf, and he shows great range. Sometimes he's railing against his enemies (real and perceived) while almost frothing at the mouth, and at other times he is serene, docile and literally inspiring while he talks of (imaginary) armies coming to their rescue. Eva Braun's character is also quite good, portrayed as a consummate escapist incapable of facing reality. (Let's face it, you would have to be incapable of facing reality if you wanted to marry Hitler)

    The film also does quite good job examining Hitler's inner circle, a group with fanatical loyalty to their Fuhrer, that even after Hitler's death was unbreakable. These sycophants are constantly at odds with the other more rational individuals, (such as Albert Speer) who are trying to make the best of a hopeless situation.

    For what it is Downfall is superb, I recommend it to anyone and especially anyone interested in history. Be prepared though, as Downfall is incredibly dark. It chronicles one tragedy after another, so don't watch this if you are expecting light entertainment.
     
    Otto, Mar 21, 2005
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  12. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    That's good enough for me - 'Downfall' goes into the 'must see' category.

    Thanks for the recommendation, Otto ! [​IMG]
     
    Martin Bull, Mar 21, 2005
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  13. Kai-Petri

    Kai-Petri Kenraali

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    I´d be interested to hear about some of the articles on the movie over there Martin and Otto if you see any. The Germans, if I recall it correct, were somewhat worried over the "more human aspect" of the movie´s Hitler.
     
    Kai-Petri, Mar 21, 2005
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  14. jpatterson

    jpatterson Member

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    Otto,

    I am from Pittsburgh, about 20 miles out of the city. Do you think there would be a screening anywhere in town or should I just wait for DVD release. Thanks

    Later
     
    jpatterson, Mar 21, 2005
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  15. Otto

    Otto GröFaZ Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Martin, my pleasure. [​IMG] As an interesting side note I questioned a total of 11 of the other members of the audience about their opinions of Downfall, all eleven gave it a thumbs up. However, the impartiality of such a survey is questionable, as this is a smaller film and anyone that went to see it had to seek out the location when it was screened, and was probably already interested/knowledgeable in the subject beforehand.

    Kai there is a massive bunch of reviews over at a film website called Rotten Tomatoes, here are the Rotten Tomatoes reviews for Downfall.

    jpatterson, the Official Downfall website has a list of release dates and theaters where the film is shown, but probably the best thing for you to do is to visit Fandango.com and do a search for the film you want and cross reference it with your zip code, for an extra dollar you can even buy the tickets online.
     
    Otto, Mar 21, 2005
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  16. Monty Cassino

    Monty Cassino Member

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    fandango is a great site, I never buy tickets there, but it has tons of screening info. I'll try to go watch Downfall if I have the chance.

    I just did a quick search myself and it turns out you are in luck Mr. jpatterson! Downfall is currently playing at the Cinemagic Manor Theatres, 1729 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill, PA. Is that close to you?
     
    Monty Cassino, Mar 21, 2005
    #16
  17. Kai-Petri

    Kai-Petri Kenraali

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    Thanx Otto for the site!

    ;)

    And just think that as far as we know all this that we see in the film actually happened!!!
     
    Kai-Petri, Mar 22, 2005
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  18. jpatterson

    jpatterson Member

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    Thanks Otto.

    Later
     
    jpatterson, Mar 22, 2005
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  19. jawohl

    jawohl Member

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    I'll be seeing this film in a couple of days. I'm really interested in knowing if there are any fighting scenes above ground besides just bunker scenes? Thanks
     
    jawohl, Mar 23, 2005
    #19
  20. Kai-Petri

    Kai-Petri Kenraali

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    No not really, Jawohl.

    The escape troops are followed after Hitler´s death but there isn´t any fighting as I remember.

    [ 30. March 2005, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: Kai-Petri ]
     
    Kai-Petri, Mar 24, 2005
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