Why the build up?

Rating: 7/10 (14 May 2006)

Great film. I'm not a German, although some of my ancestors were from Hamburg, apparently. It's somewhat ironic that many of the good/evil fairy tales we grew up with emanate from that land-locked, fearful but extraordinary country.
What a shocking turn of events to have that man assume power over one of the most sophisticated, innovative and proud people on the globe. What a frickin waste! The Soviet Union would have collapsed in about 1944 except that Hitler breathed life into it by virtue of attacking it. They lost 26 million people in less than 4 years. I cannot get my head around that figure - the Germans themselves lost about 6 million in the war with Russia. How did such senior Generals mess up the assassination plan so badly in 1944? Tough job, I know, but there has to be a backup plan. Still so many questions about all that.
Thank God it came to an end. 'Downfall' was an ambitious movie and nailed the target pretty well. I have never understood why the German people followed this Bavarian fool so blindly - the part playing Goebbels didn't convince me. Nor did actress playing his wife. Yet, it happened. I don't think any actor can really portray such utter perversion. Nice try, though.
Albert Speer is a fascinating character. I wonder what he did for amusement in his 10 years in Spandau. He was portrayed quite subtlety. I was glad to see that. Hitler loved him like a son and Speer told him the truth at the end, which I think was historically accurate.
Horrible, horrible business all round. Europe destroyed itself twice in 30 years - Hitler, Stalin, Churchill and De Gualle should have just gone to Samoa where people swim, fish, play sport, goof around, eat, sleep and relax under a coconut palm for most of the day.
That's what I call domination. (Now that I think of it, the Germans DID get involved in Samoa but lost it after WW1 - I think they built a brewery - Danke Deutchsmen