The Downfall

Rating: 8/10 (12 May 2008)

With the interest to see a balanced view of Hitler during the 2008 holocaust week, this movie was recommended by colleague Andreas Hensel.
The movie is partly based on the book written by Traudl Junge (Alexandria Maria Lara), the final private secretary of Adolf Hitler (Bruno Ganz) and it narrates the story of the final downfall of Germany to Allied forces. It shows Hitler in a very pensive, defeated mood due to the losses in the war. The movie also shows a more balance portrayal of Hitler (and not one-track characterization) as shown in the other movie Hitler  the Rise of Evil.
Bruno Ganz has done a great job in being Hitler. Again like I said for Robert Carlyle who played Hitler in Rise of Evil, it is hard to believe any other person playing the role of Hitler as Bruno has done. Comparison is bound to take place, but both these actors have done justice to their roles  that show different portions of Hitler's life.
The over-shadowing dominance of Hitler over his commanders, and the helplessness of the situation the German army was in  worn out, marginalized, defeated  but still fighting, is saddening to see. Hitler was blindly worshipped by Germans, and there were people who literally believed that he is the ultimate savior  the God, and his words are final.
Hitler deciding his own suicide rather than surrendering, so that he can be remembered as a great hero  has not lasted in the pages of history, or did not last after the World War II. Today everyone treats him like a monster, and realizes the blunders of the holocaust.
An excellent movie by Director Oliver Hirschbiegel. Sadly this movie  though a brilliant one  did not win an Oscar in best foreign film category. I hear that there were people who did not like its nomination too in Oscars.
But I still wait for a real balanced portrayal of Hitler in a movie format. Does anyone know of such a movie that exists that I can watch? (Stars 8 out of 10)