A truly harrowing insight into the last days of the Reich

Rating: 10/10 (21 November 2007)

Der Untergang is an impressive and brilliant piece of film making and ingenuity. Oliver Hirschbiegel was perfect choice as director, and he and his team have done an absolute fantastic job with the set designs, make up and costumes to make Hitler's inner sanctum and Berlin look and feel as authentic and real as possible. I was thoroughly engrossed from the start to end, and you will be, too. The choice of actors could not have been better. Bruno Ganz as Hitler gives the performance of his life and the supporting cast all do a great job also.
I must admit I've never really understood people criticising Der Untergang for humanising Hitler. It was right that the film makers chose to portray Hitler going through all the emotions as described by those who were around him at the time. If you'd prefer see Hitler caricatured as Satan watch Hitler: Rise Of Evil (ok, that was a film portraying Hitler's rise to power rather than his final days alive, but you get my drift). Der Untergang doesn't set out to paint grotesque caricatures of Hitler and his generals as evil monsters. It attempts to bring to life as vividly and accurate as possible what went on without showing bias. Also the plight of the German refugees walking through rubble and children as soldiers hit me profoundly.
Adolf Hitler will always continue to arouse interest in people for many years and centuries to come. Der Untergang is the definitive account of his last days alive and a must see for all.