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Product Description
Tom Cruise and Kenneth Branagh star in this World War II suspense thriller. At the height of the war, a group of high-ranking German officers, including Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Cruise), Major-General Henning von Tresckow (Branagh) and General Friedrich Olbricht (Bill Nighy), hatched a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler (David Bamber) and seize power of the military command in order to end the war and make peace with Allied forces. The operation, codenamed 'Valkyrie', was modified by the conspirators to ensure its success, but for various reasons the plot failed when finally carried out on 20 July 1944, and the conspirators of the inner circle were summarily executed following a kangaroo trial.
Synopsis
Based on a the true story of a cadre of Nazi officers who grew to oppose Hitler's murderous pursuits and made several attempts to kill him in the late stages of WWII, VALKYRIE features a top-flight cast, with drama and suspense in equal measure. The film is a stylistic departure for director Bryan Singer (X-MEN, X2) and star Tom Cruise, with a screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie (THE USUAL SUSPECTS) and Nathan Alexander that is constructed like a heist film, with a team of like-minded men coming together for a common purpose and facing incredible odds. It is 1943, and though he has come to be disgusted by Hitler's campaign of evil, Count Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) has risen to the level of lieutenant colonel in the German army. Convinced that Hitler must die, Von Stauffenberg requests a transfer to Tunisia, where he loses his left eye and right hand during an Allied air raid. Falling in with a group of similarly disillusioned officers including Major General Henning von Tresckow (Kenneth Branagh), General Friedrich Olbricht (Bill Nighy), General Friedrich Fromm (Tom Wilkinson), and Colonel General Ludwig Beck (Terence Stamp), Stauffenberg is at the centre of several attempts on Der Fuhrer's life, culminating in a bombing that kills a handful of his officers and leaves Hitler only slightly injured.
Though advance photos of Cruise in Nazi uniform brought VALKYRIE negative publicity, his restrained performance is at the heart of this well-crafted, thinking person's action movie. He is bolstered by an incredible British cast including Branagh, Stamp, and Wilkinson, and by the film's dazzling art direction. Though it's a story to which viewers should already know the ending, Singer still creates ample suspense. The result is a taut and effective historical thriller. Compare the cast from Valkyrie with their real life counterparts (click for larger image)
Though advance photos of Cruise in Nazi uniform brought VALKYRIE negative publicity, his restrained performance is at the heart of this well-crafted, thinking person's action movie. He is bolstered by an incredible British cast including Branagh, Stamp, and Wilkinson, and by the film's dazzling art direction. Though it's a story to which viewers should already know the ending, Singer still creates ample suspense. The result is a taut and effective historical thriller. Compare the cast from Valkyrie with their real life counterparts (click for larger image)
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Dan the man
Format:DVD
Given that this was made and released as a mainstream film with a big Hollywood name (Cruise) in the leading role, I had wrongly assumed that this would turn out to be another glitzy mis-recreation of an important historical event. How wrong I was! I was very pleasantly surprised with the treatment of the subject matter which was both sensitive and accurate: a rarity indeed!
Whoever has adapted this important historical event into a screenplay has done a tremendous job creating characters who are believably human (complete with flaws) whilst remaining faithful to the events. The cast is an excellent line-up of some of the best serious actors currently treading the boards and I was pleasantly surprised at just how much British talent is showcased here. It is obvious that a great deal of homework has been done and this could serve as a great lesson to other film-makers that you do not have to distort, invent or change the facts of history to make it entertaining (NB: U571, Pearl Harbour, Inglorious Basterds!).
I would recommend this film to anyone who has even a passing interest in WW2 or even viewers who simply enjoy a good tale well told.
Whoever has adapted this important historical event into a screenplay has done a tremendous job creating characters who are believably human (complete with flaws) whilst remaining faithful to the events. The cast is an excellent line-up of some of the best serious actors currently treading the boards and I was pleasantly surprised at just how much British talent is showcased here. It is obvious that a great deal of homework has been done and this could serve as a great lesson to other film-makers that you do not have to distort, invent or change the facts of history to make it entertaining (NB: U571, Pearl Harbour, Inglorious Basterds!).
I would recommend this film to anyone who has even a passing interest in WW2 or even viewers who simply enjoy a good tale well told.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Chris White
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
When it comes to Tom Cruise movies, there are normally two certainties. Namely: the poster art will consist solely of his face and no matter what the situation, his character will have availed himself of impeccable dental care.
Cruise may be nominally the star but to surround himself by such capable talent on both sides of the camera lifts Valkyrie above his average vehicle. It's directed by Bryan Singer, who reunites with his Usual Suspects collaborators Christopher McQuarrie (co-writer) and John Ottman (composer and editor). The ensemble includes Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and Terence Stamp.
The subject matter also represents a departure. The true-life story of an assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler means everyone knows up front that he won't be riding off into the sunset, having got the girl who 'completes' him. In fact, Cruise's physical resemblance to the person he portrays, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, is uncanny.
Von Stauffenberg was an outspoken opponent of the Hitler regime and the prime mover behind a daring plan to eradicate the dictator from the scene once and for all. The fact that Der Führer didn't meet his end after walking into an elaborate mousetrap makes witnessing what might have been all the more fascinating. Indeed, the tension is ramped up throughout and despite their being on a hiding to nothing you find yourself rooting for the conspirators.
The one potential sticking point is the use of the actors' natural speaking voices instead of German accents. It's obvious that some of the cast would be better at them than others so this is neatly transitioned right at the beginning. You soon accept that it's a theatrical convention and doesn't detract from your enjoyment.... Read more ›
Cruise may be nominally the star but to surround himself by such capable talent on both sides of the camera lifts Valkyrie above his average vehicle. It's directed by Bryan Singer, who reunites with his Usual Suspects collaborators Christopher McQuarrie (co-writer) and John Ottman (composer and editor). The ensemble includes Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and Terence Stamp.
The subject matter also represents a departure. The true-life story of an assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler means everyone knows up front that he won't be riding off into the sunset, having got the girl who 'completes' him. In fact, Cruise's physical resemblance to the person he portrays, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, is uncanny.
Von Stauffenberg was an outspoken opponent of the Hitler regime and the prime mover behind a daring plan to eradicate the dictator from the scene once and for all. The fact that Der Führer didn't meet his end after walking into an elaborate mousetrap makes witnessing what might have been all the more fascinating. Indeed, the tension is ramped up throughout and despite their being on a hiding to nothing you find yourself rooting for the conspirators.
The one potential sticking point is the use of the actors' natural speaking voices instead of German accents. It's obvious that some of the cast would be better at them than others so this is neatly transitioned right at the beginning. You soon accept that it's a theatrical convention and doesn't detract from your enjoyment.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Although some saw Tom Cruise's last film as a possible propaganda vehicle, it's tempting to look upon it more as a cry for help. After seeing him playing a man so increasingly disillusioned with the insane control-freak tendencies of the personality cult that has taken control of every aspect of its followers lives and sets out to destroy all who disagree with it that he becomes part of a doomed plot to kill its leader, David Miscavige probably made sure the security was trebled next time Cruise visited the compound.
Valkyrie is one of those films that's neither the disaster many were hoping for nor quite as good as it could have been, never quite veering to either side as it all too steadily ploughs its course through another retelling of the failed July Plot to assassinate Hitler. If there are no real lows there are also, sadly, precious few highs, the film retelling events efficiently but never really gripping as tightly as it should and only briefly engaging the emotions in the final scenes, and those you suspect more for the fate of the real people involved than those onscreen. It's a noble effort, but it's hard to resist comparing it to the failed assassination attempt: it makes a big noise but it doesn't quite hit the target.... Read more ›
Valkyrie is one of those films that's neither the disaster many were hoping for nor quite as good as it could have been, never quite veering to either side as it all too steadily ploughs its course through another retelling of the failed July Plot to assassinate Hitler. If there are no real lows there are also, sadly, precious few highs, the film retelling events efficiently but never really gripping as tightly as it should and only briefly engaging the emotions in the final scenes, and those you suspect more for the fate of the real people involved than those onscreen. It's a noble effort, but it's hard to resist comparing it to the failed assassination attempt: it makes a big noise but it doesn't quite hit the target.... Read more ›
54 of 63 people found the following review helpful
By J. Champs
Format:Blu-ray
As an expert on Nazi Germany, having studied the subject for over 35 years, having grown to understand its causes and motivations and how these lead to an appalling - yet well stated intent - to massacre and conquer, this film simply captivates and overwhelms. I had heard a great deal of criticism levelled at Tom Cruise for attempting to play a 6ft 2 Colonel who is regarded as the chief hero of the German resistance.
However, with one tiny inaccuracy at the start of the film, it proceeded in its relentless journey to impress time after time, with its locations, infinitesimal attention to detail which can only be described as a triumph of research and its utterly moving telling of a story doomed to fail from the day it was conceived.
If ever there was a tale about how not to carry out a military coup this is it. Endless good intentions utterly ruined by a total failure of communications.
I found the scene at The Berghof, when Stauffenberg has to get Hitler to sign the Walkure amendment to enable the plan to take shape, simply unbearable in its tension. Every member of the senior German government was instantly recognisable to me without any names being used and most of them not speaking, they were that superbly portrayed and chosen. The exceptional detail of the Berghof layout was just awe-inspiring.
The aircraft scene (which there is an interesting documentary about on the disc) is again outstanding, this is exactly how Hitler travelled. Even the way everyone reluctantly puts out their cigarettes (Hitler loathed smoking)as he arrives. The focus on a mosquito biting a guard - emphasising the sultry summer heat and mosquito infested Rastenburg site was genius. You didn't have to do it, but in doing so, for detail freaks like me, this was extraordinary.... Read more ›
However, with one tiny inaccuracy at the start of the film, it proceeded in its relentless journey to impress time after time, with its locations, infinitesimal attention to detail which can only be described as a triumph of research and its utterly moving telling of a story doomed to fail from the day it was conceived.
If ever there was a tale about how not to carry out a military coup this is it. Endless good intentions utterly ruined by a total failure of communications.
I found the scene at The Berghof, when Stauffenberg has to get Hitler to sign the Walkure amendment to enable the plan to take shape, simply unbearable in its tension. Every member of the senior German government was instantly recognisable to me without any names being used and most of them not speaking, they were that superbly portrayed and chosen. The exceptional detail of the Berghof layout was just awe-inspiring.
The aircraft scene (which there is an interesting documentary about on the disc) is again outstanding, this is exactly how Hitler travelled. Even the way everyone reluctantly puts out their cigarettes (Hitler loathed smoking)as he arrives. The focus on a mosquito biting a guard - emphasising the sultry summer heat and mosquito infested Rastenburg site was genius. You didn't have to do it, but in doing so, for detail freaks like me, this was extraordinary.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
DVD
I really enjoyed this movie although I could almost guess the outcome as the events occurred 70 or so years ago
Published 1 month ago by alex david younger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really enjoyed this
Not necessarily a Tom Cruise fan but thought he was good in this. The film was well made and I really enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend this.
Published 1 month ago by BizzieRascal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Product, service, packing and postal is all outstanding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Published 1 month ago by Ukla
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Film
I've seen this firstly at the cinema on pre release well before others. It is an excellent movie, griping and well acted. In my top ten. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. R. A. Louis
2.0 out of 5 stars
not good
Not a good film at all.Tomn Cruise is useless.The made for TV film is far better and more factual.Wouldn't recommend this.
Published 2 months ago by merlin
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant
As usual, excellent service and product, very pleased with it, I shall order more from the same site in the future
Published 3 months ago by Janice Starnes
2.0 out of 5 stars
Very Poor Sound
I bought this for my mum in Durban, South Africa. She complained the sound was very poor. She had to turn the TV's volume up to nearly full blast...which was unpleasant.... Read more
Published 3 months ago by JaqMar
3.0 out of 5 stars
Got my money back
Good film, great cast, suspenseful & gripping all the way until it stopped playing! has to go into the scenes menu to get it going again. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Benny Boy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tom cruise
Tom Cruise at his very best. Not to be missed. Hadn't watched this film for a few years, got totally engrossed again.
Published 5 months ago by Bird
4.0 out of 5 stars
Saturday Night viewingSx
Saw this film one Saturday night on T. V. Knew I wanted to see it again. Tom Cruise is great.
Published 5 months ago by Mandy Cooke
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