Thrilling history lesson

Rating: 10/10 (3 February 2009)

As a 29-year-old South African, the July 20th plot to assassinate Hitler (let alone the other 15 attempts) was news to me. I never knew about it until I first heard of the making of this movie. We were taught World History in school, and the second World War formed part of that, but somehow we must have just glossed over the fact that there were inside-attempts on Hitler's life.
So, eager to learn something about history I never knew, I really looked forward to this movie (that and the fact that I'm a huge Cruise fan). And I have to say I was really impressed. The negative pre-release hype had me very concerned, but it was all in vain. The movie was well made, had very good performances and managed to do the near-impossible: maintain suspense in a movie where the outcome is known in advance. (The outcome obviously being that they don't succeed in killing Hitler. Not a spoiler by the way).
The first half of the movie is basically the set-up. We see Tom get recruited by the dissident officers due to his outspoken and vocal criticism of the way the country is being run into the ground. Once he joins the "rebels", his vision in getting rid of Hitler becomes even more focused and determined, which leads him to orchestrate the July 20th plot.
In the second half, Brayn Singer builds an ever-increasing level of suspense and close calls as the plan gets put into motion. And it really is an eye-opening experience to see everything that Operation Valkyrie entailed. With the success of the mission hinging on so many factors, one can only marvel at the intricacy and scope of the plot.
Cruise was very good in the lead role, with just the right amount of self-belief and maybe false optimism to play Von Stauffenberg. Some of the supporting actors though, to be honest, put in even better performances, especially Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson. So leave your skepticism at the door, and give this movie a chance. It's inspiring and tragic, but instills hope in humanity, that only by making a stand can any of us hope to make a difference.