Because we are dedicated to honest customer opinions Downfall (2 Disc Edition) (DVD), we have also included Amazon's customer reviews for this item (of which 6 are displayed below). Amazon customers have given Downfall (2 Disc Edition) an average rating of 5.0/5.
Top Amazon Review
The riveting subject of Downfall is nothing less than the disintegration of Adolph Hitler in mind, body, and soul. A 2005 Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film, this German historical drama stars Bruno Ganz as Hitler, whose psychic meltdown is depicted in sobering detail, suggesting a fallen, pathetic dictator on the verge on insanity, resorting to suicide (along with Eva Braun and Joseph and Magda Goebbels) as his Nazi empire burns amidst chaos in mid-1945. While staging most of the film in the claustrophobic bunker where Hitler spent his final days, director Oliver Hirschbiegel dares to show the gentler human side of der Fuehrer, as opposed to the pure embodiment of evil so familiar from many other Nazi-era dramas. This balanced portrayal does not inspire sympathy, however: We simply see the complexity of Hitler's character in the greater context of his inevitable downfall, and a more realistic (and therefore more horrifying) biographical portrait of madness on both epic and intimate scales. By ending with a chilling clip from the 2002 documentary Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary, this unforgettable film gains another dimension of sobering authenticity.
Customer Review 1
Superb Film. The makers of this film deserve real credit for tackling a difficult subject in a brave and forthright manner .The temptation is to resort to caricature in order to avoid accusations of glorifying Hitler, but making him a real man helps to underline the whole mind blowing lunacy of what was allowed to happen to one of the most sober countries in Europe .This great film underlines the importance of uniforms and decorations to the psyche of the Third Reich .They really did get a sense of worth from all this stuff like no other regeime since Napoleon .So watch out for the various blacks, greys, browns , medal ribbons and badges .This puffed up madness really did play a huge part in making the Third Reich tick and it's often overlooked .
Customer Review 2
Quite possibly the greatest WW2 related film of all time.. There is no flaws in this film, it is a true definition of a masterpiece, and focuses on a part of WW2 where other films dare not to go, also the fact that it is in the German language with english makes it just right and gives it a documentary feel, instead of English language with freaky fake german accents. *****
Customer Review 3
Magnificent in every way. After watching this film you realise what a colossal tragedy the Second World War really was for Germany. After seeing hundreds of films from the allied viewpoint, many of poor historical accuracy, this film comes as a revelation. The characters here are genuine and human, not one dimensional archetypal Nazis from allied propaganda. In particular, the personality of Adolf Hitler is portrayed with uncanny accuracy by Bruno Ganz. Watching Ganz I could believe that he WAS Hitler; no other actor who has played Hitler has ever come closer to the 'real' Hitler.
Hitler is shown as a man who is losing control of the situation, and for him, the ultimate control freak, this was a devastating moment. Hitler's psychopathology is that of a monstrously spoilt, hyper-emotional child, who is used to having everything he wants, and when this is no longer possible, he blames everyone except himself. The tantrums, violent gestures and screaming, are all typical of childlike (mis)behaviour. The other characters are all desperately trying to give good news to their leader, but there is none to give, so everyone prepares for either death or attempted escape. Speer, with razor sharp intuition, is the only one who has the courage to tell Hitler how he feels, knowing that the sentimental dictator would never have his long time friend executed. Others, like Goebbels, are so immersed in the Nazi dream, that the reality of defeat simply cannot be accepted. Death is the only logical option, even for their innocent, unsuspecting children. Some other characters, like Hitler's secretary, Traudl Junge, try to live as normally as possible, in the most abnormal situation imaginable. They try not to be affected by the impending catastrophe while always thinking how to get out of the mess they are in.
There are no new historical revelations here. No clues as to why Hitler did what he did; why he hated the Jews with such venom, why he would never make a deal with Stalin, why he elected to declare war on the USA when the latter was being sidetracked by Japan. This film is first and foremost a portrait of Hitler in decline, in his darkest moment. We see a human being, not a caricature, and for some people this is disturbing, but it is also true. Hitler was capable of friendship, even of love. He could be a rational and clear thinker, and an astute conventional politician when the occasion demanded it. But he was also amoral, obsessively fanatical and uncompromising in his views, and always ready to use the most drastic measures as solutions for overcoming all obstacles that stood in his way.
After seeing this film one never feels sorry for Hitler, but the picture that emerges is much more genuine than any Hollywood production can ever give. Most importantly, the human tragedy that engulfed the German people at the war's conclusion is portrayed better than ever.
The only slight criticism I have is that I wish they could have released a dubbed version as well as the one with English subtitles. Other than that, this is undoubtedly one of the greatest war films of all time. If you haven't seen it, buy the DVD without hesitation.
Customer Review 4
Brilliantly harrowing. A wonderful film, Ganz is simply suberb - the rest of the cast perform fantastically too.
Against all odds the filmmakers have managed to pull off the tricky task off producing a non-judgmental, sympathetic yet critical, almost documentary style and, above all, accurate film following to final days of the various inhabitants of Hitlers bunker
The insanity of the Fuhrers final days is captured in harrowing detail from several perspectives, this a film that should be watched by anyone with an interest in World War II.
Customer Review 5
Stifling and claustrophobic - a deeply shocking yet superb film. A simply faultless production and Ganz is without doubt the best actor to ever play role of Hitler.
The stifling claustrophobic atmosphere the director has created in this film will always haunt you.
Just buy it and watch it, you'll never ever forget it.
