The Bunker (Blu-ray & DVD) (1981) (Region 2) (Import)

Set in a bunker in the last days of Hitler this is a testament that a good director can rise above propaganda and portray history as both moving and factually correct.
Hitler as essayed by Anthony Hopkins is memorable and evokes pity particularly as Eva Braun discusses cream tea parties in spring,while the Russian shells explode overhead and hitler sheds a single tear which is truly harrowing emotion in a nutshell .
The reminiscing over Vienna and dance parties is just as incredible as the two giving away their clothing and personal effects to loyal party members .
I am not debating the moral right and wrong but the ordinary people around hitler and the chaotic berlin fall to the Russians while goebbels chants Wagner and a simple wedding between Eva and Adolf is cheered and celebrated in a farewell party by a desperate crowd is truly dramatic .
These individuals are aware of their imminent destruction yet are rendered hypnotic to watch as you are aware of their intent to commit suicide .
the Goebbels are so sincere and faithful that despite all perceptions you feel a bizarre respect for these individuals and their rigourous beliefs .
A truly masterful and claustrophobic depiction of a very tragic and pessimistic event in human history .
Hopkins, susan Blakely, Gorman and Piper Laurie are magnificent and their emotional intenstiy is scorching even in the confines of a simple bunker under a ruined Berlin .
Immensely watchable and can be seen again and again just for the detached passion and emotional indifference of the main performers .
the camera sweeps the drama and action like a stage production making it imminently chilling and profoundly affective .
whatever the moral dilemmas this movie is too true to life to be forgotten and a true classic in very intricate details .

A brilliant film. Anthony Hopkins deserved his Emmy for his carpet biting portrayal of Adolf Hitler.

The film is based on James P. O'Donnell's book and, unlike other films covering the subject, has a much longer timeframe. The film starts on January 16th 1945 when Hitler and his crew are being transferred to the bunker and goes right up to April 30th when he commits suicide.

All the Nazi bigwigs are shown: the Goebbels, Heinrich Himmler, Hermann Goring, Albert Speer, Martin Bormann and, of course, Eva Braun.

My one complaint is that when they call for a registar for the wedding they call him 'Wagner' rather than 'Vagner' as pronounced in Germany.

Nonetheless a very entertaining piece of drama, top notch performances and true to life.

Great account of what happened in the Bunker during the final days of The Third Reich