Great Story Well Told

Rating: 10/10 (4 January 2009)

The people who create movie trailers can make any ole thing look good, so I was afraid to get my hopes up too high for "Valkyrie." Well, surprise, surprise, "Valkyrie" not only lived up to my expectations, it greatly exceeded them.
Tom Cruise plays Claus Von Stauffenberg, a colonel in the German Army who is gravely wounded in North Africa and shipped back to Berlin to recover. Known for his strong anti-Hitler views, he is recruited into a group of German generals who are plotting to over-throw Hitler. Very soon Von Stauffenberg finds himself in charge of the plan. He decides they must kill Hitler and use Hitler's own reserve army to overthrow the government. It's in ingenious plan. Too bad, as one general reminds him, "Things never go according to plan."
The first hour is build-up to the second, which is the day of the assassination attempt, from start to finish. If you need to take a potty break, I strongly recommend that you do it before the second hour begins. It's the tensest, most exciting hour I've ever spent at the movies. You won't want to miss a minute!
Much has been said about the supporting cast of heavyweight British actors, and they are, indeed, wonderful. But I'd like to say a word about Tom Cruise. His performance in this movie was a revelation. He brings a quiet dignity to the role of Von Stauffenberg that I really did not expect from the guy who jumped up and down on Oprah's sofa. Perhaps the beating he's been taking in the press for the last couple of years has forced him to grow up. Whatever it is, he really holds his own, in company with those wonderful British actors.
But ultimately Tom Cruise is not the star of this movie; the story is. And it's a great one!