Valkyrie DVD: Review By Shelley

THE CAST:

I think it is sad that many cannot get past how they feel about Tom Cruise’s personal life enough to look at his performance objectively. He is rarely off screen in this film and does a tremendous job at portraying Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. When I first heard about his casting in this part I had some doubt he could pull it off, but he does it with ease. Hopefully this will be a vehicle for the ‘rebirth’ of his career because he is far too talented not to be appearing in films.

The rest of the cast does an equally exquisite job and each lends credibility to their perspective roles, they include Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Terence Stamp, David Bamber Eddie Izzard, Thomas Kretschmann and Christian Berkel.

DIRECTION, CINEMATOGRAPHY AND SPECIAL EFFECTS:

Photography, special effects, editing, costumes and sets are near perfectly done. Even if you are overly critical about these items, I believe you will be satisfied by the way they are done.

Directed by the multi-talented Bryan Singer who lends an element of style to the film but also ensures the story is told clearly and as it was admirably written.

THE GOOD:

This film is extremely well written with genuine dialogue that is not overdone therefore believable. One of the best things about the film is it does not concentrate on Hitler but rather the men who disagree with his actions and commands. It is good to know so many men and women felt a lot of things that happened were crimes against humanity and did not blindly follow those in power.

I have seen some complaints regarding the lack of German accents or subtitle due to it being a German spoken film eluding to the fact it makes it ‘less authentic’. I for one appreciated the fact the film was in clear English thereupon negating the need for the actors to concentrate on their speaking instead of their acting.

THE BAD:

The only thing I would like to have seen in this film is a little more background of the individuals involved, at times it seems they just scratch the surface of these extraordinary men.

THE STORY (may contain spoilers):

I will keep my summary for this film short for those of you who have yet to see the film because it is one that can either be a short overview or a lengthy detailed synopsis.

Valkyrie is the ‘based on true events’ story of an assassination attempt to kill Adolf Hitler and the men who plotted to do so. Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is a military officer with the determination to see that Germany is saved from Hitler and becomes the mastermind behind the plan.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Disappointingly there are absolutely no special features.

REPLAY VALUE:

Average replay value for this movie, while it is an excellent film because of the subject matter I do not believe it can be watched over and over.

BOTTOM LINE:

Valkyrie is the type of film I end to watch with a certain amount of caution. Since it is based on actual historical events, I knew going in it was not going to end the way I necessarily wanted it to. I do highly recommend this film, but do not expect a ‘feel good’ ending.

Thanks for reading.