Downfall

Name: Downfall
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Released: February 18, 2005
Duration: 156 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Alexandra Maria Lara, Bruno Ganz, Corinna Harfouch, Juliane Köhler, Ulrich Matthes

2005

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 253 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 253 Ratings

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Downfall

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Movie Details & Credits

Newmarket Films | Release Date: February 18, 2005 | R

Starring: Alexandra Maria Lara, Bruno Ganz, Corinna Harfouch, Juliane Köhler, Ulrich Matthes

Summary: A portrait of Hitler's final days in his Berlin bunker at the end of WWII.

Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 156 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

David Sterritt

A riveting re-creation of three world-changing collapses: those of the Nazi party, of militarized Germany as a whole, and of the Führer who guided them into self-destructive ruin. Read full review

100

James Wegg

As Hitler, Bruno Ganz ignites the screen with every appearance. Read full review

100

Andrew O'Hehir

Hirschbiegel and Eichinger, along with their large, brave and talented cast, have done something extraordinary for their generation of Germans, and for the world. They have willfully entered their grandparents' dirtiest, clammiest chamber of secrets. Read full review

Claudia Puig

Powerfully disturbing. Read full review

Andrea Gronvall

Under the harsh lights of the meticulously re-created, claustrophobic bunker, that scrutiny is relentless. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

If I respect Downfall more than I was enthralled by it, that's because its portayal stops short of revelation. Once you witness Hitler's denial, the film has little more to say about him. Read full review

J. Hoberman

Downfall may be grimly self-important and inescapably trivializing. But we should be grateful that German cinema is more inclined to normalize the nation's history than rewrite it. Read full review

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User Reviews

AllisonS.

Dec 26, 2008

Absolutely fantastic portrayal of WWII from German side, being in hiters inner circle and the final days of his reign. Wonderful.

3 of 3 users found this helpful

VinceRocks123

Apr 30, 2015

gut wrenching masterpiece thats both a autobiography and anti war film by acclaimed filmmaker Olivier Hirschbiegel, Der Untergang recounts the last days of Hitler and Nazi Germany as the unimaginable terror of Adolf Hitler's rage takes effect on the german people as Russian troops stormgut wrenching masterpiece thats both a autobiography and anti war film by acclaimed filmmaker Olivier Hirschbiegel, Der Untergang recounts the last days of Hitler and Nazi Germany as the unimaginable terror of Adolf Hitler's rage takes effect on the german people as Russian troops storm Berlin, a film that is to traumatizing and unbearably provocative it is a film not for the feint of heart.

A masterpiece of A dream that was shattered by lies and murder, one of the most tragic stories from the final moments of WW2, even you feel some pity for the nazi's and their demented minds

a daring film that strikes at the consequences of nazism, Bruno Ganz in his most nightmarish performances ever gives one of the most violent portrayals on of the most notorious conquerors in modern history.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ChrisS.

Feb 20, 2006

Absolutely haunting film that has left me going over the events of 1945 in my head again and again. The director successfully paints layer upon intricate layer of despair, loyalty, betrayal, joy, sadness, and delusion that must have been permeating in that small space. The one element that Absolutely haunting film that has left me going over the events of 1945 in my head again and again. The director successfully paints layer upon intricate layer of despair, loyalty, betrayal, joy, sadness, and delusion that must have been permeating in that small space. The one element that I think is missing, and purposely I think, is the idea of guilt. From Hitler to his henchmen, there is little attention to the idea that the choices they had made being inhuman or that they would have to answer to someone for their actions. Having been to Berlin, and having stood on the ground above that very spot where these events took place, I never once considered any sort of "humans" existing below that ground...only monsters from textbooks. This movie completely changed the way I view that now. I think it is often simpler to characterize people and situations in black and white or good and evil, especially those involved in such horrific acts. However, I think this film shows that things are much more complicated than that. Decisions and loyalties are based on much deeper and more complicated criteria than simply saying this path is "good" and this path is "bad". I give this movie a 10, although I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone. I would, however, recommend it to individuals that enjoy thought provoking films that don't rely on mindless action and typical hollywood movies.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

ImUnavailable

May 2, 2012

An intimate and atmospheric look at the final days of the Third Reich. The most important feature of this film is the realistic portrayal of Adolf Hitler, putting to rest crass oversimplifications of his character. The cast are excellent, particularly Ganz who dominates every scene he is in.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

glomman

Aug 25, 2021

This is one of the best movies German cinema has brought forth in the past years in my opinion. Seeing the last days of the Nazi-German leadership during the Battle of Berlin all slowly losing their minds and grip on reality is just fascinating. It keeps a careful balance between showingThis is one of the best movies German cinema has brought forth in the past years in my opinion. Seeing the last days of the Nazi-German leadership during the Battle of Berlin all slowly losing their minds and grip on reality is just fascinating. It keeps a careful balance between showing combat and the implications it has on the civilian population, with fanatic Nazis and Hitler youth, the ever advancing ruthless russians, and a delusional Hitler and staff sprinkled inbetween.
A brilliant movie that everyone should've seen at least once.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

zNeverSleeping

Aug 11, 2020

Uma perspectiva pesada, deprimente e sufocante sobre a queda nazista em Berlim, pelo ponto de vista dos mesmos. O filme é pesado, lento, anti-climático e quase documental. A escolha de direção aqui é assertiva, focando muito nas emoções do Nazis sem que houvesse um apelo quanto a isso. SuasUma perspectiva pesada, deprimente e sufocante sobre a queda nazista em Berlim, pelo ponto de vista dos mesmos. O filme é pesado, lento, anti-climático e quase documental. A escolha de direção aqui é assertiva, focando muito nas emoções do Nazis sem que houvesse um apelo quanto a isso. Suas atitudes deixam um gosto amargo ao redor da obra. Já que nada nas suas atitudes é romantizado, seus atos soam vazios ou desesperados.

O elenco tá muito bem, e Bruno Ganz está excelente no papel, transmitindo até as nuances do personagem, pondo um peso nas suas falas, e em determinados momentos leveza nas mesmas. Os momentos de explosão são os mais marcantes, claro. Mas são nas nuances que o Bruno Ganz se diferencia e faz seu papel com maestria.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Lindaj

Sep 7, 2017

I was rather surprised at the overall positive reviews for this film. I found the cinematography lacking and the storyline rather mundane. While Bruno Ganz did a remarkable job presenting Hitler as a compassionate man to those he chose to care for as well as flashes of the monster he wasI was rather surprised at the overall positive reviews for this film. I found the cinematography lacking and the storyline rather mundane. While Bruno Ganz did a remarkable job presenting Hitler as a compassionate man to those he chose to care for as well as flashes of the monster he was and his diseased mind, I felt the film also whitewashed those who served him and the crimes they committed. They appeared as proud, loyal soldiers, devoted until the end as any soldier is expected to be. Yet these men assisted in the genocide of more than 60 million people and no mention of their atrocities was every made. Also Traudl Junge was no child, she was 22 and aware of who Hitler was, yet she is portrayed as a pleasant, slightly naive, bland young girl. If you had no knowledge of history all you would know is that Hitler appears quite a being quite 'off' and everyone else had a strong handle on reality or pleasantly ignorant. I had a difficult time empathizing with any of the characters or even disliking any of them. It generally provoked no response in me other than irritation with the exception of the portrayal of Magda Goebbels. She was well played by Corrina Harfouch and I found myself genuinely feeling hatred towards her as I watched the film. I liked the concept of the film but found the approach as narrow as the halls of the bunker.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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24	#24 Best Movie of 2005
55	#55 Most Discussed Movie of 2005
22	#22 Most Shared Movie of 2005