Valkyrie (2008)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Bryan Singer

Writers (WGA):

Christopher McQuarrie (written by) &
Nathan Alexander (written by)

Release Date:

25 December 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Thriller | War

Tagline:

Many saw evil. They dared to stop it.

Plot:

Based on actual events, a plot to assassinate Hitler is unfurled during the height of WWII.

Plot Keywords:

Plan | Germany | Plot | Nazi | German

Awards:

8 nominations

Cast

Tom Cruise	...	Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg
Kenneth Branagh	...	Major-General Henning von Tresckow
Bill Nighy	...	General Friedrich Olbricht
Tom Wilkinson	...	General Friedrich Fromm
Carice van Houten	...	Nina von Stauffenberg
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Major Otto Ernst Remer
Terence Stamp	...	Ludwig Beck
Eddie Izzard	...	General Erich Fellgiebel
Kevin McNally	...	Dr. Carl Goerdeler (as Kevin R. McNally)
Christian Berkel	...	Colonel Mertz von Quirnheim
Jamie Parker	...	Lieutenant Werner von Haeften
David Bamber	...	Adolf Hitler
Tom Hollander	...	Colonel Heinz Brandt
David Schofield	...	Erwin von Witzleben
Kenneth Cranham	...	Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel

Also Known As:

Walküre (Germany) (literal title) (USA) (alternative spelling)
Operation Walküre - Das Stauffenberg-Attentat (Germany)
Rubicon (USA) (fake working title)
Untitled Bryan Singer Thriller (USA) (working title)
Walküre/Valkyrie (USA) (complete title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence and brief strong language.

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English | German

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #44626) | Czech Republic:12 | South Korea:12 | UK:12A | Ireland:12A | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-13 | Australia:M | Norway:11 | South Africa:10V | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Hong Kong:IIA | Sweden:11 | Spain:13 | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Brazil:14 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | India:UA | Mexico:B

Filming Locations:

Barton Flats, San Bernardino Mountains, California, USA

Company:

United Artists

Trivia:

Initially, Germany's Ministry of Defense would not allow filming on Bendler Block. They relented after appeals from Tom Cruise and Screenwriter/Producer Christopher McQuarrie. The entire crew started every night of filming with a moment of silence in memory of Stauffenberg.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: In a number of scenes, Colonel Stauffenberg is seen wearing red stripes on his trouser legs, which are mistakenly believed to be worn only by German Generals; however, red stripes were worn by all German General Staff officers, regardless of rank.

Quotes:

[first lines]
soldiers in unison: I swear by God this sacred oath: That I shall render unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer of the German Reich and people, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and that I shall at all times be ready, as a brave soldier, to give my life for this oath.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Valkyrie: The Plot to Kill Hitler (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Die Entfernte Melodie

Bryan Singer's best flick!!!

Bryan Singer's 'Valkyrie' is an outstanding piece of cinema, cinema at its very best. Singer, before this has mostly made poor films, including the much-hyped failure 'Superman Returns', but this time around, with a meaty and historic subject in hand Singer brings a cinematic master stroke. Based on the time of Adolf Hilter, and a conspiracy of assassinating him by his very own people, an incident that took place on July 20 1944. 'Valkyrie' catches you attention from the word GO and continues to spell its magic till its end.

Pluses of the film: Bryan Singer, the captain of the ship is the true hero here, he has directed the film like a pro. Camera-work by Newton Thomas Sigel is simply astounding, background score is spell-bounding and superb production value. Performances are perfect: Tom Cruise is superb, he plays his part with ease and style. Bill Nighy is outstanding, he's simply superb in the penultimate 15 minutes. Tom Wilkinson is in form,once again. Terence Stamp is effective. Kenneth Branagh is excellent. David Bamber, as Adolf Hitler is good.

Minuses: The films length could've been trimmed by 5-10 minutes.

on the whole 'Valkyrie' is an excellent film, a complete sweeper. Bravo!