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Downfall

Play trailer Poster for Downfall R 2004 2h 34m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 137 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In 1942, young Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara) lands her dream job -- secretary to Adolf Hitler (Bruno Ganz) at the peak of his power. Three years later, Hitler's empire is now his underground bunker. The real-life Traudl narrates Hitler's final days as he rages against imagined betrayers and barks orders to phantom armies, while his mistress, Eva Braun (Juliane Köhler), clucks over his emotional distance, and other infamous Nazis prepare for the end.
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Downfall

Downfall

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Critics Consensus

Downfall is an illuminating, thoughtful and detailed account of Hitler's last days.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 01/22/2013
Does Downfall "humanize" Hitler and his henchmen, as its critics have complained? Yes, and it should: to pretend these villains were less than human is to let ourselves off the hook, to take the easy and dangerous exit of demonology. Go to Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle 04/03/2005
4/5
Some demons are too extreme to comprehend, but Hirschbiegel's film nonetheless provides a painfully unflinching glimpse into the outer workings of the mortally wounded Third Reich. Go to Full Review Rick Groen Globe and Mail 03/18/2005
2/4
Viewed through a North American lens, the movie itself seems more familiar than fascinating, more innocuous than inflammatory, and, at 21/2 hours, more tedious than anything else. Go to Full Review Jane Freebury The Canberra Times (Australia) 08/18/2022
A provocative, thoughtful perspective on an arch-criminal guilty of heinous crime. Go to Full Review James Croot The Post NZ 03/26/2021
4.5/5
It is a stunning performance of light and shade, tracing his descent from total denial to despair, disillusionment and defeat. Go to Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) 04/03/2020
5/5
Most impressive of all is how, with the world closing in on the ranting, paranoid monster, Ganz ratchets down his performance from towering to cowering in minute increments. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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The ballad of s Jan 11 Bruno Ganz should have got an Oscar for this but didn't even get a nomination. See more johannes d @peterpresidente Dec 18 Very good film great playing, but the bunker party scene seems a bit realistic to me, and deliberately interpreted that way. See more Jalvzz .. @jalvzz Dec 4 Peak cinema this is See more P A Nov 8 the best war movie I have seen, You really believe you are watching a fly on the wall documentary. Bruno Ganz give the performance of his life See more Brad @Ilovemovies506 Oct 20 I watched this movie yesterday and it was pretty interesting to watch See more Kenneth L Jul 14 A gripping, compelling, and horrifying look at the last days of the Third Reich. See more Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Oliver Hirschbiegel

Director

Bruno Ganz

Adolf Hitler

Alexandra Maria Lara

Traudl Junge

Corinna Harfouch

Magda Goebbels

Ulrich Matthes

Joseph Goebbels

Juliane Köhler

Eva Braun

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Downfall

Downfall (2004) Downfall (2004) A scene from the film DOWNFALL directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. A scene from the film DOWNFALL directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. A scene from the film DOWNFALL directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. A scene from the film DOWNFALL directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. A scene from the film DOWNFALL directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. A scene from the film DOWNFALL directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1942, young Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara) lands her dream job -- secretary to Adolf Hitler (Bruno Ganz) at the peak of his power. Three years later, Hitler's empire is now his underground bunker. The real-life Traudl narrates Hitler's final days as he rages against imagined betrayers and barks orders to phantom armies, while his mistress, Eva Braun (Juliane Köhler), clucks over his emotional distance, and other infamous Nazis prepare for the end.
Director
Oliver Hirschbiegel
Producer
Bernd Eichinger
Screenwriter
Bernd Eichinger
Distributor
Newmarket Film Group
Production Co
Constantin Film Produktion, Degeto Film, RAI Cinema, EOS Entertainment, Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) [at]
Rating
R (Some Nudity|Disturbing Images|Strong Violence)
Genre
History, Drama, War
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 8, 2004, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Feb 18, 2005
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.5M
Runtime
2h 34m
Sound Mix
Surround
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