Valkyrie

2008

Valkyrie

Critics Consensus

Given the subject matter, Valkyrie could have been an outstanding historical thriller, but settles for being a mildly entertaining, but disposable yarn.

62%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 195

65%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 239,346

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Movie Info

A proud military man, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is a loyal officer who serves his country all the while hoping that someone will find a way to stop Hitler before Europe and Germany are destroyed. Realizing that time is running out, he decides that he must take action himself and joins the German resistance. Armed with a cunning strategy to use Hitler's own emergency plan--known as Operation Valkyrie--these men plot to assassinate the dictator and over-throw his Nazi government from the inside. With everything in place, with the future of the world, the fate of millions and the lives of his wife and children hanging in the balance, Stauffenberg is thrust from being one of many who oppose Hitler to the one who must kill Hitler himself.

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Cast

Tom Cruise
as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg
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 Maj. Otto Ernst Remer
Terence Stamp
as Gen. Ludwig Beck
Eddie Izzard
as Gen. Erich Fellgiebel
Kevin McNally
as Dr. Carl Goerdeler
Christian Berkel
as Col. Mertz von Quirnheim
Jamie Parker
as Lt. Werner von Haeften
David Bamber
as Adolf Hitler
Tom Hollander
as Col. Heinz Brandt
David Schofield
as Erwin von Witzleben
Kenneth Cranham
as Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel
Halina Reijn
as Margarethe von Oven
Werner Daehn
as Maj. Ernst John von Freyend
Harvey Friedman
as Dr. Joseph Goebbels
Matthias Schweighöfer
as Lt. Herber
Waldemar Kobus
as Police Chief Wolf-Heinrich von Helldorf
Florian Panzner
as Second Lt. Hagen
Ian McNeice
as Pompous General
Chris Larkin
as Sgt. Helm
Matthew Burton
as Lt. General Adolf Heusinger
Philipp von Schulthess
as Tresckow's Aide
Wotan Wilke Möhring
as Sgt. Kolbe
Christian Oliver
as Sgt. Major Adam
Bernard Hill
as Confident General - Desert
Julian Morris
as Young Lieutenant - Desert
Helmut Stauss
as Dr. Roland Freisler
Tim Williams
as Doctor
Anton Algrang
as Albert Speer
Matthias Freihof
as Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler
Gerard Haase-Hindenberg
as Reich Marshal Hermann Göring
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Critic Reviews for Valkyrie

All Critics (195) | Top Critics (48)

View All Critic Reviews (195)

Audience Reviews for Valkyrie

  • Aug 16, 2012
    They conquered all Europe, the Nazis, so how could they fail assassinating the one madman behind it all, I've often wondered. Singer manages to put a human face on the proceedings, a true explanation, though more actual German inclusion would've been welcome in this retort to the countless "they're all evil" films out there. Tense and gripping, the work only suffers in that the subject is perhaps larger than a mere film can contain. Nonetheless a very good work.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • May 28, 2012
    Valkyrie is a compelling and thrilling historical drama about a fascinating chapter in history. Based on a true story, the film recounts a daring coup that attempted to assassinate Hitler and seize control of the German government. The cast is stellar, and includes Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, and Terence Stamp, who all give excellent performances. And, director Bryan Singer is able to keep the story thrilling and suspenseful, even though the outcome is already known. Valkyrie is a powerful and captivating film with an inspiring story.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 02, 2011
    Valkyrie is a interesting, truthful, and historic World War II film that shows that not everyone in Hitler's army was loyal to him. It follows a group of German soldiers who devise a plan to kill Adolf Hitler, and with such an interesting premise it would have very high expectatations, and sadly it is not as great as everyone had hoped for. First of all, if you know anything about this war you know from the start this plan will ultimately fail, but its the journey and the history that keeps the audience interested and the very good performances. The characters are very flat however, we know very little about these men other than they want to kill Hitler for some reason, possibly because they have a conscience but they do not fully explain. What saves the characters is the good performances from Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, and more that make this a very good ensemble cast. The suspense in the film is what kept me watching, this is a very thrilling film and it gave me chills in some moments, if you want a suspensful film than this is a good one to check out. One flaw I found with the film is the major historical inaccuracy, I had no idea what Operation Valkyrie was when seeing the film and even I could tell what stuff they either made up or exaggerated for the audience.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
  • Aug 02, 2011
    Another example of Hollywood taking an interesting concept and using it to bore the crap out of people. Something tells me this was just an excuse to get actors to dress up in those bad ass Nazi uniforms. And would someone please tell me why Hitler had a german accent, but nobody else did.
    Alex M Super Reviewer
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