The best and most gripping film I've ever seen

Rating: 10/10 (15 November 2005)

I hate the term 'war' films. The best 'war' films aren't war films at all, they are anti-war films. By that I mean that the films portray a story that should leave all who watch them with a deeper understanding of the suffering involved, the lives that are destroyed and the pointless waste. There have been several excellent films of this genre. Saving Private Ryan, Schindlers List, Gallipoli, Lion of the Desert are just a few. This film, this masterpiece, sits atop that list. I have never seen a more gripping saga in my life, absolutely stunning.
Every performance from every actor, from the incredible Bruno Ganz, down to the young children playing the Goebbels children, was immaculate.
Even now, several weeks after I first saw it, I have vivid memories of scenes from the film, not just the graphic harrowing scenes which I think will always remain with me, but the conversations, the one between Hitler and Speer springs to mind. Added to these are the scenes of Hitler's rages and the brilliantly intimate camera work which gives the viewer a 'close up', 1st person view of the film.
There are far too many excellent reasons why someone should watch this film to be listed here.
Basically, it will keep you enthralled for the two and a half hours (it flies by), and it will leave you emotionally drained at the end.
Trust me....this is no 'war' film!