Probably the best movie portraying the Third Reichs' death.

Rating: 10/10 (18 September 2006)

Downfall is primarily based on the writings of Traudl Junge, Adolf Hitlers final secretary. She is portrayed in the movie by Romanian actress Alexandra Maria Lara.
The movie begins in late 1942 in Rastenburg, East Prussia, where Hitler is picking his final wartime secretary. It would appear that Junge is chosen primarily for being a native of Munich, where Hitler spent part of his early life and created the Nazi party.
We are then fast forwarded to April 1945 where the Third Reich has been reduced to a few smoldering blocks of rubble in the center of Berlin. The city is under constant bombardment and crossing the street is a life threatening venture.
The majority of the scenes take place inside the Fuehrerbunker where Hitler and his die hard followers prepare for the end. We see Hitler as only a shell of the man he used to be. His hand trembles constantly, his posture stooped and his stride is a wretched shuffle. He is still however the pitiless creature, without remorse for his actions. His strongest desire is to destroy everything and everyone around him.
Two groups occupy the Bunker. The regular combat soldiers who can't believe the insanity around them and Hitlers clique who plan mass suicide while still hoping for a final victory.
Junge is quite attached to Hitler, but is still unsure which group she belongs to. Laras tender beauty and doe eyed innocence are great attributes in her state of confusion. She goes to and fro in the descending madness, unsure of what to do next.
Ganz' rendition of Hitler is certainly unequaled. He is the raving monster one moment and the kindly grandfather type the next. He is capable of squeezing a child's cheek while simultaneously causing the deaths of untold millions.
During the final siege of the city center bedlam reigns supreme in an orgy of drunkenness, celebration and suicide. Groups of roving executioners wander the streets, murdering people at random, but many still escape Russian retribution. This film certainly reflects well the death of a regime.