A gripping account of a plot to rid wartime Germany of Hitler and the Nazis

Rating: 9/10 (24 April 2016)

This film tells the story of a group of German officers who have come to the conclusion that the real threat to Germany is its Chancellor; Adolf Hitler. They come up with an audacious plot that, if it succeeds, will not only kill Hitler but also ensure that the levers of power are wrested from the National Socialist party. Key to the plan is Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg; he is brought in after a previous failed attempted then comes up with a plan that will use the Reich's own security forces to take control when he accuses the SS of being behind the assassination. To do this he must get Hitler himself to sign the orders modifying Operation Valkyrie; an established plan to deal with an attempted coup. He must then get a bomb close to the Hitler before getting away to initiate the actions in Berlin.
Given that all but the worst educated viewers will know that Hitler was not assassinated in 1944 this film is surprisingly tense one can't help wanting the plotters to succeed even though this is based on the facts not wish fulfilment. The cast does an impressive job; especially Tom Cruise in the central role as Colonel von Stauffenberg. He is ably supported by a cast of familiar faces including the likes of Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp and Kenneth Branagh. Thankfully the cast didn't put on German accents ever since the TV series 'Ello Ello' it has been hard to take actors talking in English with a put on foreign accent seriously! The story is told at a good pace and at no point did I feel it was dragging. Overall I'd certainly recommend this although people expecting lots of action may be a little disappointed; this is more about plotting than action but that doesn't stop it being tense as the protagonists could be exposed at any time.