Der Untergang [Downfall]

Oliver Hirschbiegel, Germany/Italy/Austria, 2004, 156m minutes

Set in Nazi Germany April 1945, Downfall captures the fall of Berlin, and with it the fall of Hitler from power. Instead of following the campaign from the Allies side of the fence, this film takes you underground into Hitler's bunker and gives you a rare view of how the other half lived through this historical episode. This film takes a bunch of names you read in a history textbook when you were young and turns them into living, breathing, feeling, hurting and dieing characters.

The story line centres around Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara), Hitler's (Bruno Ganz) young personal secretary and stenographer, who remains devoted to her employer till the end of his days. The Film portrays Hitler as a man as well as a leader and delves deep into his relationships with those closest to him, his partner Eva Brown (Juliane Koler), his commanders, his staff, and his dog..

Watching this film genuinely upset me; I'm not ashamed to say I cried most of the way home from the cinema. It is fantastically written, directed and is possibly the best film I've seen all year. However, it's going to be a long time before I'm ready to see it again. Elements of this film touched me so deeply and they were so expertly portrayed that they provoked not just emotion at want was show on film but much deeper despair at the tragedy that is the human race and its history. The brilliance of this film lies in the power it wields and the sheer elegance and grace with which it delivers its heart wrenching blows. I didn't want to write this review with such a heavy undertone, but I've found it impossible to simply write a plot overview and critique of the film's technical qualities, you must experience the film for yourself and I guarantee you will not regret it.

Review by Jane Birch
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2005