My brief review of the film

Rating: Null/10 (2 February 2006)

Heavy but generally well made, this film has been marketed as being about Adolf Hitler's final days and his downfall; it is actually more about the downfall of the Nazis on the whole, with Bruno Ganz in very much a supporting role as Hitler. It sounds like a very positive thing that the film explores more than just Hitler's own downfall, however in execution, the film appears far too busy. There is a lot going on to be followed, as the film chases many different plot lines, without any real focus. Also, it is a bit too talkative to be followed at times. It feels drawn out despite all that is going on because suspense and tension is to a degree jarred by the jumping between all the different events. As lengthy as it might seem at two and a half hours long, a three-hour duration could have been a bit more appropriate. Either way, the visual side of the film is perfect for the project, with an appropriately washed out colour scheme, realistic sets and camera-work to match. Ganz is also very good as Hitler, slowly but surely maddening, and it is an amazement to watch whenever he is on screen - which in turn makes it a shame that such moments exist in less than half of the film's running time. Overall, this is a film worth watching for its realistic and harrowing depiction of the downfall of the Nazi stronghold in Germany, and for the work by Bruno Ganz. Otherwise though, it is not a film for everyone, with its large amount content squeezed into two and a half hours - but that does not mean that it is not a good film.