An Extraordinary View of the Final Days of a Madman

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2012)

Oliver Hirchbiegel's Downfall (Der Untergang) offers a spectacular view at the final days of one of history's most notorious madmen. Based on the accounts of Hitler's secretary Traudl Junge, Downfall unflinchingly depicts the end of the Nazi leader's life prior to the German surrender during World War II. Lead actor Bruno Ganz is easily the highlight of the film—he manages to be both captivating and frightening in his portrayal of a desperate Adolf Hitler. The rest of the cast performs admirably as well. They really draw you into the events of the film with universally believable performances.
The cinematography and production design work together to create an interesting setting for the events of the film. The cramped spaces and narrow hallways of the Berlin bunker combined with the tension felt by each of its occupants really sell the viewer on the volatility and grim reality of this environment. The film's music also proves to be memorable and appropriate.
Downfall is an exceptional war film despite not really focusing on any actual battles of WWII. Instead, it delves into the mind of the war's most heinous criminal and explores the internal conflicts within. Downfall was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category, and it certainly deserves that honor.