Devastating and Powerful. A Must See Film.

Rating: 10/10 (23 April 2005)

Devastatingly realistic this ultimate film about the last days of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich, as seen through the eyes of his young secretary Traudl Junge, is a chilling but awesome experience rather than sheer entertainment. Bruno Ganz gives his finest performance as the crazed Dictator, who is more usually portrayed as either as a comic figure (Charles Chaplin) or a raving lunatic. Ganz brings depth and humanity to the character like never before, one minute compassionate to his staff, the next screaming retribution in some manic outburst. This is surely the definitive Hitler, probably as close to the true character as we'll ever get. His decent into despair and delusion is magnificently conveyed. A supporting cast of great strength gives added impact to the claustrophobic Bunker scenes, notably Ulrich Matthes (Joseph Goebbels) Corinna Harfouch (Magda Goebbels), Alexandra Maria Lara (Traudl Junge), and Juliane Kohler (Eva Braun). Perhaps the most disturbing sequence is when fanatical Magda Goebbels sets about poisoning her children, we the audience are never let off the hook by director Oliver Hirschbiegel. With superb photography recreating the grim effects of the war on Berlin, this is a standout film, all the more remarkable being made by a German film group. A must for those interested in one of the most horrific yet fascinating figures in recent history.