Valkyrie

[Millerman]

Okay, so I admit I'm not the biggest Tom Cruise fan in the world, especially since he recently went off the deep end. That's why I'm just as shocked as anyone that I'm actually looking forward to his upcoming film "Valkyrie".

It's because of this film that I am aware of the German Resistance, the July 20th Plot, and Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg who has become one of my personal heroes.

Is anyone else equally stoked about this film? If not check out the movie on IMDB and wikipedia - it's gonna be a glorious time!

 

[WhiteWillow]

I am. I watched the trailor plus saw this sneak pre at a movie back in Sept. I really will be going to this Dec 26th.

 

[keith99]

I have very mixed feelings about the film. I will reserve judgement.

On the good side it will make people aware of the German resistance.

Potentially on the bad side it will paint Colonel Count Claus Von Stauffenberg as a very different kind of idealist than he was. It may also in lifting him up submerge others. There were several who were willing to give up their lives to kill Hitler. (That is die for sure, at least 2 who were willing to have the bomb on their person and one match marksman who was willing to use a pistol, that one would have been lucky to get a clean death).

The film may also serve to reinforce the idea that resistance started late in the war. In fact the first plot I know of was in 1938.

My informed opinion is that Stauffenberg was not an idealist in our modern sense. Perhaps in the sense of a 'secret Germany'. But as I see it he was a Nationalist and Patriot and his main motivation was loyality to Germany. I see nothing wrong with this. I think it played many parts. It explains how he could get close when others could not. He was the perfect soldier, the perfect patriot. He had shown he was perfectly loyal to the Reich. (He was more than entitled to retirement after the straffing in North Africa). I think even inhte end he was loyal, but that he saw Hitler as the death of Germany, not its saviour.

But I'll wait and see.

For those with some interest in the resistance I'd suggest looking up Oster, Sack and Cannaris.

One thing that is very difficult to find is a little twist in the first plot. It was not an assasination plot. Hitler was to be arrested and tried or found insane. Or at lesat that was what all but a few plotted. Hans Oster and Major Heinz who was to lead the commandos in the capture had decided differently. Hitler was to be tragically caught in a crossfire.

 

[keith99]

I was going to post a bit more abotu some decisions of Stauffenberg but didn't in my previous post. I was going to do that heere, then realized they would be spoilers for someone who was not familiar with the history.

Instead I'll just point out some things about him and how other saw him.

He was well respected by men in the military at all levels. His injuries were severe, one eye, one hand and most of the fingers on the other.

For my taste the previews seem to skip over his injuries. I very much hope this is only the previews.

BTW my avatar is months old.

 

[ciaradawn]

I really wanted to see it but now I think I'll wait til it comes out on dvd. The reviews were not good; they said Cruise's acting was not good.

 

[SparkyMaddie]

I believe our class at school will be going.

 

[keith99]

I believe our class at school will be going.

Why? Meaning more which subject is it for. In any case is school related it might be interesting to see what you can find out about the real history of the event.

One thing I had not learned until recently is the meeting had originally been schedules for underground bunkers, but just a few days earlier they had been upgraded with more concrete and the heat from that curing bmade it well over 100 degrees inside so it was moved to above ground meeting rooms.

On those 3 small points, any one of which might have changed history and all of which are different today.

It was hot , so the windoes were open. If they were coldes (which they would be today with air conditioning) the blast would have been confined and more destructive inside.

Bombs were difficult to get and fuse. Thus only one of 2 ended up in the room.

The bomb ended up on the 'wrong' side of a table leg. Back then conference tables had solid legs about 8 inches thick.

 

[t1ck]

Although I am interested in seeing it I have a weird feeling that it's simply a Mission Impossible movie set in Nazi Germany.

 

[ciaradawn]

Although I am interested in seeing it I have a weird feeling that it's simply a Mission Impossible movie set in Nazi Germany.

lol

 

[CelticGrace]

Even though I can't stand Tom Cruise, I will definitely see this one. I may wait 'til it's on DVD, simply for the time factor (I haven't got any ), but I'd love to see it in the theatre.

 

[keith99]

Although I am interested in seeing it I have a weird feeling that it's simply a Mission Impossible movie set in Nazi Germany.

Exactly what I was thinking after tha latest round of previews.

I don't think I'll be spending money to see this.

If someone does I'll be curious to find out what the movie has Stauffenburg doing after the bomb is planted and why.

 

[Col3_11n12]

What caught me by surprise was the conspicuous absence of Rommel in any of this. Was this the same attempt? Rommel was forced to take poison in the forest for his part in a/the plot, to spare his family.

Also, the whole coup thing in the movie seemed way overembellished. My understanding of the coup is that it never got afoot, because Hitler never died. The producer must not have thought it a good movie if all they did was talk about their elaborate plot. But all the details about bombing Hitler itself (which did happen) seemed true to the history books.

 

[mina]

I saw a documentary on the History channel about the plot and those involved and the aftermath of their attempt. It was very interesting; the last hour was devoted to the film. I would like to see this movie, but i'll probably catch it on DVD.

 

[New_Found_Faith]

I saw it on christmas

Awesome movie.

 

[keith99]

I saw a documentary on the History channel about the plot and those involved and the aftermath of their attempt. It was very interesting; the last hour was devoted to the film. I would like to see this movie, but i'll probably catch it on DVD.

I caught most of what I think is the same documentary. Fairly good. As I rather expected all mention of British or American screwups were omitted. (Look up the Venlo incident). As was one huge problem the conspiritors faced. Many officers passed on participation because of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender, with no assurances of any kind. Men who would heve been very happy to kill Hitler wanted to part of internal strife with an enemy apt to show no mercy at the door.

The numbers eventually arrested surprised even me.

 

[keith99]

What caught me by surprise was the conspicuous absence of Rommel in any of this. Was this the same attempt? Rommel was forced to take poison in the forest for his part in a/the plot, to spare his family.

Also, the whole coup thing in the movie seemed way overembellished. My understanding of the coup is that it never got afoot, because Hitler never died. The producer must not have thought it a good movie if all they did was talk about their elaborate plot. But all the details about bombing Hitler itself (which did happen) seemed true to the history books.

Does the film show an important move of the case containing the bomb? I've seen the trailers and it seems the table goes up from the middle, rather untrue.

 

[Col3_11n12]

Yeah, an aide picks up and moves the case. But it didn't seem to contribute anything to the plot, and served no apparent purpose other than to remain true to history.

 

[keith99]

Yeah, an aide picks up and moves the case. But it didn't seem to contribute anything to the plot, and served no apparent purpose other than to remain true to history.

Gosh, it was responsible for the failure. No table leg (as in 8" of solid Oak) and it was 99% sure Hitler was dead. A hard thing to get across in a film and I am mildly surprised they included anything at all on it. But historically it was very important.

 

[ciaradawn]

My dad told me just yesterday that he saw it and loved it. So now I kinda want to go see it

 

[ephesus32]

My dad told me just yesterday that he saw it and loved it. So now I kinda want to go see it

Glad some people are liking it. I hope I like it when I see it also, but I heard that Cruise was too overpowering on the big screen while some of his other cast members acted better than he did and made a better Valkyrie.