VALKYRIE

US, 2008,121 minutes, Colour.
Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp, Eddie Izzard, Kevin Mc Nally, Carice van Houten, Tom Wilkinson, Tom Hollander, David Bamber, Thomas Kretschman.
Directed Bryan Singer.

At the end of Valkyrie we are told that there were at least fifteen attempts on Hitler's life. However, the best known is that of 1944, led by Claus von Stauffenberg. This film has two parts: the first is the planning and execution of the plot; the second is the aftermath in Berlin. The second part treats matters not so well known and is more interesting than the attempt itself.

During production, Valkyrie was criticised, even by the German government, for the casting of Tom Cruise as the hero, Stauffenberg. Scientology had a lot to do with the criticism as well. In promoting the film, Tom Cruise has told the press that he will not be talking about his religious beliefs but concentrating on the film.

In many ways, it is hard to accept Cruise as the German military official. However, the film begins with him writing in German and then makes a transition into English (American accented). This makes the performance more credible and Cruise gives his best to the role.

However, he is surrounded by a prestigious group of British actors in the central roles of those disillusioned with Hitler and wanting to be rid of him. The most convincing of these is Bill Nighy who puts all mannerisms and tics aside and focuses audience attention on the dilemmas of the plot and the hesitations after the attempt because the death of Hitler was not confirmed. Others include Terence Stamp, Kenneth Branagh (who is involved in an initial attempt and then disappears from the film until his suicide at the end) and Tom Wilkinson as a man who wants to cover his reputation and his life.

The screenplay, by Christopher Mc Quarrie, who collaborated with director Bryan Singer (Apt Pupil, X Men, Superman Returns) in their great success, The Usual Suspects, introduces a disillusioned Stauffenberg in the North African desert where he is wounded in action, losing an eye. On his return to Germany, he makes contacts with dissidents who cede the leadership of the plot to him. His big mistake was to assume that, while the bomb went off, Hitler was dead. He wasn't.

This means a great deal of suspense as post-assassination plans go into action, using an emergency plan for military, police and reserves, Operation Valkyrie. Within hours, after standby drills, desperate phone calls and cut lines, decisions made by Stauffenberg, the reality of Hitler's survival means disaster for the conspirators.

Interesting, especially in the second half and the collapse of the plot.

1. An interesting perspective on World War II, and Germany, on plots against Hitler, Hitler escaping the plots?

2. The Germans involved, the motivations, the plans, the networks, the decisions, the attempts? Failure? Their being demoted, executed?

3. The locations in North Africa, the bombings? Germany, hospitals, German headquarters, the countryside, the venues for the briefings? Berlin? The musical score?

4. The strong cast, Tom Cruise vehicle, the British support?

5. The title, the explanation, Wagner?

6. North Africa, the action sequences, the planes, the strafinf, the injuries?

7. von Stauffenberg, his disillusionment, his critique, writing the letter, action in North Africa, his plan, the injuries?

8. Smolensk, March 1943, the airfield, von Treskow? The plan? The meal, arranging the sabotage, the package of drinks? The failure of the bomb to go off? Von Treskow, his plan, going to the high command, retrieving the package? The hostility of Brandt?

9. The Berlin high command, the arrests, the roundup, the dissenters?

10. von Stauffenberg, the wound, in hospital, his artificial eye, dressing, von Stauffenberg and his relationship to his uncle, the general?

11. Prayer before the crucifix, the skulls and crucifix, traitor, talk with Olbricht?

12. The meeting, the arguments, the motivations, confronting Hitler as soon as possible? The interrogation of von Stauffenberg, concerning the future, his plan?

13. von Stauffenberg, the family, his wife and devotion, the children, their play, the explanation of the Valkyrie theory? The bombardments and they going to the shelter?

14. The plan for any uprising in Berlin, the squad for putting down civil unrest? To prevent the SS and their power? The need to kill Hitler and issue the order?

15. The writing war ministry, Fromm, his caution, protecting himself?

16. The cabaret, toilet, the meeting for the plan?

17. The promotion of von Stauffenberg to Berlin, the audience with Hitler, his making changes to the plan for civil unrest, Hitler and his admiration, signing
the document, von Stauffenberg and his new assistant?

18. June 1944, Berghoff, Hitler, Brandt and Fromm present? The entourage? Greeting von Stauffenberg, Hitler calling him an ideal? The dog, gatherings, support?

19. The theory of Valkyries as handmaidens of God, choosing to save people or not? Hitler’s praise of Wagner?

20. The detonator, the bombs, how the bombs worked?

21. July 1944, the pre-plan and its visualising, actual plan and its going ahead, alert, all assembling, von Stauffenberg’s wife and the kiss?

22. The meeting, the deadline midday, Wolf’s Lair, Himmler not present, Fromm and his anger, the raising of the troops in Berlin, the order not to go ahead and its being a drill?

23. The clashes about the decision, Carl Goerdeler, intended head of state and his having to leave Germany?

24. The next day, the permits, the bomb, the location change, the military briefing, Hitler pounding the table, the bag moving? von Stauffenberg on the phone, hurrying to the car, the explosion and von Stauffenberg assuming that Hitler was dead? The plan to sever communications? Olbricht and the decision whether to initiate the plan or not? The phone calls, Eric and his being in the plan, assisting Olbricht, his urging a decision to be made?

25. The failure, the phone calls, yet the group thinking it had succeeded, arresting Fromm?

26. Beck, in civil clothes, everybody with their cards? squads assembling, the commander, the contradictory information, his making his decision, for Hitler?

27. The attention to organisation, the group thinking the coup had succeeded, the SS arrests, Goebbels and his caution, even with the suicide tablet in his mouth? The pompous general, assuring everybody that Hitler was alive? The radio broadcasts and Hitler’s voice?

28. Fromm and his emerging, the roundup of the plotters?

29. The ending, von Treskow killing himself? The range of executions, firing squad, hangings? von Stauffenberg and his death?

30. An interesting re-creation of a significant event in World War II?