The Making of Valkyrie: Behind the Scenes of the 2008 Film

Valkyrie IMDb: A Review of the 2008 Historical Thriller

If you are looking for a gripping and suspenseful film based on a true story, you might want to check out Valkyrie on IMDb. Valkyrie is a 2008 historical thriller that dramatizes the July 20, 1944 assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler by a group of German army officers who plotted to overthrow the Nazi regime. Directed by Bryan Singer and starring Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, the leader of the conspiracy, Valkyrie is a fascinating and thrilling film that explores one of the most daring and heroic acts of resistance in history.

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The Plot of Valkyrie

Valkyrie is set in Nazi Germany during World War II, as the tide turned in favor of the Allies. A cadre of senior German officers and politicians, disillusioned and disgusted by Hitler's tyranny and madness, decided to take matters into their own hands and save Germany from destruction. They devised a plan to assassinate Hitler at his headquarters in East Prussia, known as the Wolf's Lair, and use an emergency measure called Operation Valkyrie to seize control of Berlin and arrest the Nazi leaders.

The film follows Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, an army officer who lost his left eye, right hand, and two fingers in a bombing in North Africa. He was recruited by Major-General Henning von Tresckow, one of the masterminds of the plot, to be the one who would plant a bomb in Hitler's briefing room. Stauffenberg also had to coordinate with General Friedrich Olbricht, who was in charge of activating Operation Valkyrie in Berlin, and General Ludwig Beck, who was supposed to become the head of state after Hitler's death.

The plotters faced many challenges and obstacles in executing their plan, such as delays, changes, suspicions, betrayals, and bad luck. They also had to deal with loyalists like General Friedrich Fromm, who was Stauffenberg's superior officer and knew about the plot but did not support it, and Major Otto Ernst Remer, who was initially fooled by Operation Valkyrie but later realized it was a coup and suppressed it. Despite their courage and determination, the plotters failed to kill Hitler, who survived the blast with only minor injuries. The coup collapsed as soon as Hitler's survival was confirmed, and most of the plotters were arrested, tortured, and executed.

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The Cast and Crew of Valkyrie

Valkyrie boasts a star-studded cast that includes some of the finest actors in Hollywood. Tom Cruise delivers a convincing and charismatic performance as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, portraying him as a brave and noble soldier who risked his life for his country. Cruise also learned to speak German with an accent for his role. The supporting cast includes Kenneth Branagh as Major-General Henning von Tresckow, Bill Nighy as General Friedrich Olbricht, Tom Wilkinson as General Friedrich Fromm, Carice van Houten as Nina von Stauffenberg, Thomas Kretschmann as Major Otto Ernst Remer, Terence Stamp as General Ludwig Beck, Eddie Izzard as General Erich Fellgiebel, Kevin McNally as Dr. Carl Goerdeler, Christian Berkel as Colonel Mertz von Qu irnitz, and David Bamber as Adolf Hitler. The actors wore authentic costumes and used period props to recreate the atmosphere of Nazi Germany.

The film was directed by Bryan Singer, who is best known for his work on The Usual Suspects, X-Men, and Superman Returns. Singer was fascinated by the story of the July 20 plot and wanted to make a film that would honor the plotters and educate the audience about their heroism. He also wanted to make a film that would be suspenseful and exciting, even though the outcome was already known. He used various techniques to create tension and drama, such as handheld cameras, fast editing, and music by John Ottman.

The film was written by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander, who did extensive research on the historical events and characters. They consulted with historians, experts, and relatives of the plotters to ensure accuracy and authenticity. They also visited the actual locations where the plot took place, such as the Wolf's Lair, the Bendlerblock, and the execution site. They tried to balance the facts with the fiction, and to avoid stereotypes and clichés. They also tried to humanize the plotters and show their motivations, doubts, fears, and hopes.

The Reception and Impact of Valkyrie

Valkyrie received mixed to positive reviews from critics and audiences. On IMDb, it has a rating of 7.1 out of 10 based on over 230,000 votes. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 62% based on 229 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2 out of 10. On Metacritic, it has a score of 56 out of 100 based on 36 reviews. The film was praised for its cast, direction, production values, and suspense. It was criticized for its lack of emotional depth, historical inaccuracies, and Tom Cruise's controversial image.

Valkyrie also faced some controversies and criticisms before and after its release. The film was delayed several times due to production issues, reshoots, and marketing strategies. The film was also banned or restricted in some countries due to its sensitive subject matter. Some critics accused the film of glorifying Nazis or trivializing history. Some relatives of the plotters expressed their displeasure or approval of the film. Some veterans and politicians questioned Tom Cruise's involvement in the film due to his affiliation with Scientology.

Valkyrie had a significant impact on the public awareness and appreciation of the July 20 plot and its participants. The film sparked interest and curiosity among viewers who were unfamiliar with the history behind the film. The film also inspired some books, documentaries, podcasts, and websites that explored the plot in more detail. The film also helped to rehabilitate the reputation and honor of the plotters, who were often ignored or vilified in Germany for decades. The film also contributed to the recognition and commemoration of the plotters as heroes and martyrs who fought against tyranny and evil.

Conclusion

Valkyrie is a compelling and captivating film that tells the story of one of the most remarkable and courageous events in history. The film features a stellar cast, a talented director, a well-researched script, and a thrilling plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The film also pays tribute to the men who risked their lives to save their country from a madman. Valkyrie is a film that deserves your attention and admiration.

If you are interested in watching Valkyrie or learning more about it, you can visit its IMDb page here: [Valkyrie (2008) - IMDb]. You can also check out some of these related resources:

• [The Valkyrie Legacy: The Plot to Kill Hitler by Its Last Member]: A book by Philipp von Boeselager, one of the surviving plotters who died in 2008.

• [Operation Valkyrie: The Stauffenberg Plot And The July 20th Conspiracy To Assassinate Hitler]: A documentary by Jean-Pierre Isbouts that features interviews with historians, experts, witnesses, and relatives of the plotters.

• [The Secret History Of The July Plot To Kill Hitler]: A podcast by Dan Snow that discusses the background, details, and aftermath of the plot.

• [July 20 Plot - Wikipedia]: A Wikipedia article that provides an overview of the plot and its participants.

• [Valkyrie - Official Website]: The official website of the film that contains trailers, photos, videos, cast bios, production notes, and more.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Valkyrie and the July 20 plot:

• How accurate is Valkyrie?

Valkyrie is generally accurate in depicting the main events and characters of the plot, but it also takes some artistic liberties and simplifications for dramatic purposes. For example, some of the plotters' names, ranks, and roles were changed or omitted, some of the scenes and dialogues were fictionalized or embellished, and some of the historical details and timelines were altered or compressed. The film also does not cover some of the aspects and implications of the plot, such as the involvement of the resistance groups, the political and moral dilemmas, and the aftermath and repercussions.

• Why did Tom Cruise play Stauffenberg?

Tom Cruise was chosen to play Stauffenberg by Bryan Singer, who was impressed by his acting skills and star power. Cruise was also interested in the role and the story, and he did a lot of preparation and research for his performance. Cruise also had some physical resemblance to Stauffenberg, such as his height, hair color, and eye color. However, Cruise also faced some criticism and backlash for his casting, mainly due to his controversial image and his affiliation with Scientology.

• What happened to the plotters after the failure of Valkyrie?

Most of the plotters were arrested, interrogated, tortured, tried, and executed by the Nazi regime. Some of them were shot by firing squad, some were hanged with piano wire, and some were given cyanide pills. Some of them were also filmed or photographed during their executions as a propaganda tool. Some of their relatives and associates were also arrested, imprisoned, or killed. A few of the plotters managed to escape or survive until the end of the war.

• How did Hitler survive the bomb blast?

Hitler survived the bomb blast due to a combination of luck and fate. The bomb was placed in a briefcase under a heavy oak table in Hitler's conference room. However, shortly before the explosion, one of Hitler's aides moved the briefcase to the other side of the table leg, which shielded Hitler from most of the blast. The conference room was also in a wooden hut that absorbed some of the shock wave. Hitler suffered only minor injuries, such as burns, bruises, cuts, and a perforated eardrum.

• What was Operation Valkyrie?

Operation Valkyrie was an emergency plan that was originally designed to maintain order and security in Germany in case of a breakdown of civil authority or an uprising by slave laborers. The plan involved mobilizing the Reserve Army under the command of General Fromm to take over key positions and facilities in Berlin and other cities. The plotters modified the plan to suit their purposes, by adding orders to arrest or eliminate the Nazi leaders and to announce the death of Hitler and the formation of a new government. 44f88ac181