Movie 101: Downfall

Or Der Untergang which is a much better title, but does sound a bit like it would be about a whacky German bigger gang.

It’s actually about the final days of the Third Reich, mainly focusing on the events that occurred in Der Fuhrerbunker. When Hitler had completely lost his shit and gave orders to use troops that didn’t exist, the Allies and Ruskies were closing in on all sides, everyone was offing themselves and Adolf Xbox Live account had been cancelled.

Okay, so the last one if from one of the many You Tube videos that have redone subs. And can be rather funny.

I actually listened to a radio drama not so long ago that dealt with the same subject matter. I don’t know if it used the same sources for its information, and it was mainly about Adolf and Eva, but it showed a bit of a human side to one of histories greatest monsters too. Not as adequately though.

It’s a tough task, and a very fine line to walk. Who wants to feel a bit sorry for fucking HITLER of all people? But you kind of do. Particularly if you switch your brain to the other side of the coin for a minute. Or just see what a broken pitiful wreck of a human being he was at this point. It does show one very important thing though. Hitler was a vegetarian that didn’t drink or smoke. So always offer someone you don’t know a steak, a fag and a bottle of beer. If they turn down all three, shoot them in the face and save the world some bother.

I did learn a few things from the film. I had to idea that Goebbels was knocking about with as much influence towards the end, or that he was a Dick Cheney like figure. Things may have run a bit more smoothly at the finish if it wasn’t for that bastard as someone might have been able to talk some sense in to Hitler. Probably not though.

And there are parts of the movie that are quite heartbreaking. Two, well three but two big ones, that effected the actors themselves. One in particular that just showed how brain washed and flat out mental many involved where. If you’ve seen it you probably know what I’m talking about. It’s very sad.

Over all this is well handled, manages to walk any fine lines very well, and doesn’t glamorise or demonise anyone in particular. It just shows them as real, probably mentally challenged or deficient, people. Bruno Ganz and all involved to a damned fine job, and the whole thing looks great. As a history lesson pretty much everyone should watch this.

And if it helps, even though she’s dead, I don’t blame Traudl Junge at all. Assuming what she says is true she won’t have had anything truly awful crossing her desk, and she probably didn’t help or hinder anything. In much the same way as I don’t think the bankers secretaries should feel sorry for the financial collapse I don’t think she did anything wrong.

If you do, and everyone can have an opinion, it might help to know that she didn’t walk out fine. She was captured and repeatedly raped by the Russians. Technically the good guys. I’m glad that’s not in the movie…

Next up: The Hidden Fortress. More subtitles!