I will admit that I wasn’t too excited about Valkyrie. Mainly because it just didn’t feel like a movie one should watch during the holiday. Movies about war don’t usually inspire peace and love (in my mind).However, this account of a true-to-life failed attempt to assassinate Hitler was fascinating. It made me want to know more about the real life account after viewing the film.
There was quite a bit of bad publicity surrounding this film (and Mr. Cruise) prior to its release from how ridiculous his eye patch was to how Germany wouldn’t let him film in the country because of his scientology beliefs (which actually was not the case). It is too bad that this publicity occurred, because I think it caused people to only focus on Mr. Cruise and not the actual story.
The film is full of great actors including Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Terence Stamp, Kenneth Branagh and Eddie Izzard. They all immerse themselves in their roles that for not even one minute do you think about the fact they are all speaking with their native accents (none of which is German).
The intricacies that these men went to to fabricate their plan was unbelievable. I can’t believe that so many individuals were able to execute this plan without word leaking out to the enemy. The plan had to be executed perfectly and while I knew the plan doesn’t end up succeeding, I actually thought it might – the suspense was that good!
While the movie won’t win any Academy Awards – it is well worth a look see.
End.
