Rent Downfall (2004)

Haunting - Downfall review by CP Customer

Downfall is an amazing and powerful piece of cinema that will leave a lasting impression. Clearly one of the most important European films of recent times, it is a frank and disturbing exposé of the final ten days of the Nazi regime. We see a different side to Hitler than what has been shown previously, yet you do not feel pity for the character. This is a film that only Germans could have made about the final few days of what has become a blight on their history. Downfall also marked Oliver Hirschbiegel as a director worth following, and Bruno Ganz will never surpass his performance here.

Powerful and enjoyable - Downfall review by Pete W

Bruno Ganz's portrayal of Hitler should have won him an Oscar. A lengthy film but it doesn't drag (even though you know the ending!). The scene where Magda Goebbels slaughters her children is appalling - in the true sense of the word, as it should be. Don't be put off by the fact that the film is in German and subtitled - but it helps if you understand a bit of German. Special mention of the DTS soundtrack - the first Russian shell to fall on the bunker nearly blew my front room windows out.

A disturbing and gripping portrayal of the last days of WWII in Hitler's bunker - Downfall review by BW

A contentious choice of subject matter finds Downfall heading into Hitler's bunker as Berlin falls at the close of WWII. Horrific, brutal and insane as you might expect but strangely gripping. The film is based on first-hand historical accounts and this intensely claustrophobic movie has quickly become something of a classic. There might be an argument that the film falls short in condemnation of the Third Reich but the somewhat dispassionate treatment only highlights the flagrant insanity of the Nazi leaders more. Bruno Ganz's portayal of Hitler is incredibly convincing. A powerful and traumatic work carefully composed for the screen.

Excellent WW2 Drama - Downfall review by GI

A powerful and compelling Second World War drama. It's gripping, frightening and superbly directed, edited and with a fantastic central performance from Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler. Bookended by interview footage with the ageing Traudl Junge, Hitler's personal secretary, the narrative is, for the most part, focused on her account of events in the final days of the European war in Berlin and in particular the bunker where Hitler desperately tried to control events. Ultimately though this is a film that looks closely and in many scenes scarily at how ideology takes a grip on people and destroys them. Ganz as Hitler is maniacal, deluded and clearly very ill as he rages at his generals who fear telling him the truth of the situation as the Soviet army advances on the city. Scenes of the chaos and the plight of the civilians trapped in the ruins litter the film interspersed with the collapse of reason within the security of the bunker itself. There are claims of very close historical accuracy based on accounts of those who were there but it's also clear that the film is meant as narrative cinema, a drama that not only show the horrors of war but the madness of those that start, control and wage them. A remarkable film and at times an uncomfortable watch especially in a key scene where a mother poisons her six children as she does not want them to grow up in a world without nazism. It's horrific and yet is a key moment in the film's thematic goals. This is a modern masterpiece and most definitely a film to see if it's passed you by.

BRILLIANT film, one of the best, most authentic war films ever - a top 20 film of the last 100 year - Downfall review by PV

This is a stunning film in German - a disgrace it did not win the 2004 best foreign film Oscar (I suspect the Hispanic vote wone Almodovar the oscar for the mediocre The Sea Inside which is not a patch on The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (written by the great British screenwriter Ronald Harwood). I also think Bruno Ganz should have son the best actor Oscar for his jawdroppingly accurate portrayal of Adolf Hitler. Controversial for some as he is humanised BUT he was human, after all.

There is literally NOTHING bad with this film, It is perfect.

The only thing that comes close is 2013 German TV miniseries GENERATION WAR though that plays fast and loose with the truth, which is fine, for drama.

But this film Downfall is SO authentic and accurate - the portrayal of Hitler, the slippery social climber Speer, also Goebbels and his loyal Nazi wife (previously married to the boss of BMW) with all the children whose names started with H in honour of Hitler. That scene in the bunker is heart-rending.

I have watched this film at least 5 times and would do so again at any time. As someone who has researched and read a lot about the Second World War, I know who all the generals and characters are here, like Hitler's Adonis-athletic blond bodyguard, who was after 10 years in a Soviet prison loyal to Hitler until his death in his 90s. And all the others - their fates are stated at the end.

One of the top 20 films of the last century.

Essential viewing for all teens and children too. They can watch the horror of this and Schindler's List together.