Product ReviewsValkyrie (DVD, 2009)

Valkyrie (DVD, 2009)

True story of the attempted assassination of Adolph Hitler in his secret headquarters, "Wolfschanze". It was a very elaborate plan with no less than two hundred conspirators. Practically all of the major General Officers were in on the plan, but seemed to have trouble going through with it. Finally, it was the Colonels who ultimately made the attempt.

The key role was played by Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg in actual implementation after his assassination attempt on Hitler on July 20, 1944. Stauffenberg also further improved the Valkyrie plan and made changes to address changing situations. Stauffenberg's position as Chief of Staff of Reserve Army gave him access to Hitler for reports and at the same time required his presence at headquarters for implementation of Valkyrie. At first, Tresckow and Stauffenberg sought out other officers with access to Hitler who could carry out the assassination. General Helmuth Stieff, Chief of Organization in Army High Command, volunteered to be the assassin but later backed away. Tresckow attempted several times to be assigned to Hitler's headquarters without success. Finally, Stauffenberg decided to carry out both the assassination attempt and the Valkyrie operation, which greatly reduced the chance of success. After two abortive attempts, Stauffenberg placed the bomb on July 20 and hurried back to Berlin to assume his pivotal role.

After he had discovered that the bomb had not killed Hitler, Fromm ordered the executions of General Friedrich Olbricht, his chief of staff Colonel Albrecht Mertz von Quirnheim, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, and his adjutant Lieutenant Werner von Haeften. Shortly after midnight, the condemned men were led to a mound of earth back lit by idling vehicles where each was executed by firing squad in the courtyard of Bendlerstrasse headquarters. In all, more than seven hundred executions took place following Valkyrie.Read full review...

Good Movie! Tom Cruise Was Not a Convincing German.

This movie was a pretty accurate depiction of some of the attempts to assassinate Hitler. it would have been nice if the Movie at the end would have talked about all the attempts or even had footage about some of the other attempted assassinations. Its sad but many Jewish people do not realize that there were actually good German soldiers that did not want to be a part of Hitler's regime and no longer supported him. What happened was horrible but its part of the past. I bought the movie because my great great uncle used to be Chancellor of Germany before Hitler. He did not want this type of corruption and German domination to go on. He ruled under a very bad German economy... ten times worse than anything were experiencing in America. At least Americans can rely on credit cards and food banks. Germany in the 1930's could only rely on very limited soup kitchens, family and maybe friends to help them out. I thought it was a refreshing change to view Germans as noble people, fighting for not only Jews but humanity and Germany.Read full review...

Very true to life

Most historical epics have lots of hollywood but Valkyrie may not be counted in that roll. Tom Cruise is a very poor actor but he gives a compelling role as Col. Staufenburg (though he is about 6 inches too short). The cast overall is superb with Tom Wilkinson giving the oportunistic Gen. Fromm an actual human quality. Bill Nighy, Kenneth Brannaugh, and terrance stamp round out this ensamble to create Bryan Singer's realistic telling of a plot to rescue germany from inevitable destruction.

At the very least rent this movie, buy it if you can and ebay has the best prices ( I bought mine for $12 which included shipping). I had my doubts seeing Tom Cruise and thinking of yet another flick with him sprinting down a street, but when you see the resembilance between him and Staufenburg you will see he was the only choice for the role.Read full review...

This Power Grab Never Felt So Tense Yet So COOL!

Based on an assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler which actually happened on July 20th, 1994, this film engulfs the viewer with action, wonderful scenery, and a believable storyline and character-base to boot.

Before long, we discover that that Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) becomes the number one man to be responsible for taking Hitler out of power by plotting an assassination with many other Germans (Officers, Lower ranking Soldiers, and other Politicals) wishing to regain power from the hands of the Feurher.

The tippie-toeing that went on in this film really makes you feel the nervous tension as lies and deceit become second nature. After a botched plan perpetrated earlier, Von Stauffenburg is called into the plans and given a very close position in Hitler's Army.

Project VALKYRIE becomes the main way for the Emergency Army to maintain and keep control if something were to happen to Hitler, thus the SS would be taken out of the formula, thus staging a very slick Coo.

The bombing attempt on Hitler failed, thus foiling the plotters plans of quickly taking power by any means necessary, but soon lose power as their plans backfire on them. Cruise plays a convincing Von Stauffenberg. Additional cast members are Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, and Terence Stamp.

This incredible story unravels with excellent harmony and wonderful cinematography. This is based on historic fact and moves very quickly. We seldom feel that anyone really wanted to punish those who took part in the coo, however, that's what happens in Love and War. Nearly 5,000 Germans were soon arrested and executed after this occurrence.

I'll give this a 5/5 for excellent portrayal of true story.

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A good watch for someone who cares...

I can definitely understand how someone lacking a general love of WWII history could dislike this film. I'm sure is merely seen as slow and boring. I, on the other hand am a huge fan of WWII and maybe a bigger fan of the Nazi side of it's history. It was a surprise to find the the film did stay within the bounds of accuracy. Not dead on, but close enough to be worth mentioning. Though slow, the story still managed to always have my attention and at times I found myself on the edge of my seat. As for the cast It's obvious that the director chose to go all out. All of these actors are top of the line pros. I'm even satisfied with Cruise. Sure he might be in there because of Scientology (something I laugh at) but at least he does a good job.Read full review...

Love it!!!

It's worth watching and I thought it was well done. It's not a movie where you are waiting to be surprised by the outcome, because it's based on true historical facts. So if you're looking for a suspense/thriller you may be disappointed. It does have some suspense but I knew the ending based on what happened in real life. That wasn't the point of watching it for me.

I think it's good for people to read just a little bit about the true events that happened and you'll like the movie or at least it may make you think a little. It's amazing to think about how close they actually were to killing Hitler before the war ended. If they had succeeded it would have meant saving millions of lives.Read full review...

Valkyrie

Based on a true story, Tom Cruise plays Nazi Col. Claus Von Stauffenberg,
who is wounded in North Africa during the campaign there. He returns, a
hero, to his native Germany and joins he Resistance due his discontent.
In a daring plan to create a shadow government and assassinate Adolf
Hitler, events unfold so that he becomes a key player and he finds himself
tasked with both leading the coup and personally attempting to blow up
the Fuhrer. When his supporting generals fail to carry out their part of
the plan on time- trouble ensues for Von Stauffenberg. He continues his
plan though, knowing he is dead if they fail. A very good flix, but history
students will know the ending-since it is based on fact. Still alot of action,
suspense and drama as the assination attempt is tried. If you like history,
WWII action or drama you will certainly enjoy this one.Read full review...

Not really a Cruise fan..... till NOW!!

Pay attention!!! This film grabs you from the opening.....and hold you till the bitter end!! Things you might not have known about Hitler's Germany and the PEOPLE who stayed 'close' to him, are revealed in a stunning exposé that sweeps you right into the drama, as it unfolds.

The filming is excellent, with muted colors, dark moods, and intense feeling...... created with angles and lighting that fill you with the emotion of the characters..... casting was EXCELLENT!! The truth behind the story line fills you with emotion, empathy, hatred, sadness, and helplessness. Worth watching again and again!Read full review...

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Valkyrie, Highly Disappointing!

It sure seems lately like any film that Tom Cruise decides to act in seems to turn to gold no matter what substance the film turns out to be.

I wanted to see this movie because of all the hype and it was about a semi-controversal subject. I was highly disappointed in this movie. There was not much action, drama, or anything for that matter. Accept for a few tense scenes, the movie almost put me asleep. I thing this was one of the worst movies Tom Cruise has done.

It is basically about a group of Nazi's that are attempting to remove Hitler from power and change the pace of the war. The character Tom Cruise plays is a highly confident war hero who attempts to overthrow Hitler's regime. Well, we all know how it ends!

I was disappointed that they made this movie to honor the group of men attempting to get Hitler out of power. They did not do any justice to that group. This movie was quite boring and needed more spice!

Not recommended.Read full review...

Valkyrie, ok but whats with the accents?

This movie had some real promise until minute 5 when you find out the story is going to be severely dumbed down Tom Cruise style. I can handle English speaking actors for those who can not yet read, but why do none of the actors have German accents at least. In fact they are quite American and or British for some odd reason. That aside the story is very slow moving, and by the end you realized you could have watched a much better more accurate account from the History channel in an hour time slot. Like everyone else I assume, I too was suckered in by the fascination of this great era, and was let down by bad acting, and a boring tedious story. If you must then go rent this, but don't even bother wasting your money on this flop.

If you love WWII era movies try these titles:
a) Downfall
b) Patton
c) Saving Private Ryan

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