Downfall

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Year:	2004
Country of origin:	Germany / Italy / Austria
Director:	Oliver Hirschbiegel
Genre:	Second War War Historical piece
Starring:	Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Corinna Harfouch
Rating:	5/5
IMDB link:	http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363163/
Tagline:	April 1945, a nation awaits its...
Favourite line:	N/A - Subtitled

Powerful, provocative account of the last days of The Third Reich, recounting the major events that led up to Hitler's ultimate sucide, as well as the immediate aftermath.
A German movie, so subtitled, this pulls no punches in examining the horror and magnitude of events, as well as depicting the major players in a very personal, emotional way, adding a sense of realism that most attempts to capture this period on film never trruly manage. No ghastly caricatures here, this is a careful study of the mindsets and motivations of the individuals involved.

As the Russian Army marches forth on Berlin, the deterioration of the chain of command and, crucially, confusion as to the reasons Hitler chose to kill himself cause much consternation, resulting in mass suicide amongst the highest ranking SS Officers in Berlin, as well as their wives.

Difficult to endure - the scene with the children being poisoned in their sleep is intensely upsetting - but vital to attempt, this is a movie anyone who 'thinks' should struggle through.
The final moments, including a cut away to show a present day interview with a survivor from Hitler's regime, explaining that she didn't know what was happening throughout the war, but now realised that is no excuse - are so powerful I was literally speechless for minutes afterwards, for fear the tears would flow if I attempted to speak.
Powerful, educational and essential, watch this now.