rating:
(out of
4 stars)Germany, Italy, Austria; 2004
Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel; produced by Bernd Eichinger; screenplay Berns Aichinger
Starring Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Corinna Harfouch, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Kòhler, Heino Ferch, Thomas Kretschmann
I have mixed feelings about this impressive film. On the one hand it is very well-made, it seems very accurate in what it shows, and it contains arguably the best performance of the year. On the other hand the film is without focus in the first half and probably therefore close to boring at times. The second half makes up for it, fortunately, but the entire film could have been more intense.
The film tells about the last days of Adolf Hitler in his underground bunker in Berlin. Where it loses its focus is when it shows what is happening outside through the eyes of a little boy. The Russians are in Berlin and although these scenes are a realistic view on the war and its effects on Berlin and its inhabitants, they are a little distracting. It is not what the film shows in these parts, it is pretty impressive, but the way it shows things. It seems the film cuts to outside whenever it feels it has to.
Inside the bunker there is a lot of talking. Events there are scenes through the eyes of Hitler's last secretary Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara). We see how Hitler (Bruno Ganz) is kind to her and other women and children, how he is nice to his people until they mess up. In these scenes, when he gets mad, we see a Hitler how we know him. Screaming, almost out of control, chilling. In the bunker every single person knows the war has been lost accept for Hitler and Joseph Goebbles (Ulrich Matthes). Behind his back people talk about "Der Führer" and although most them keep supporting him, silently they feel otherwise. On the way we keep meeting new people including Magda Goebbles (Corinna Harfouch), Eva Braun (Juliane Köhler) and Heinrich Himmler (Ulrich Noethen), to name the best known.
In the second part we see how everyone in the bunker prepares for death. Here the film shows less images from outside and stays closer to Hitler himself. Although we already knew he was a madman, he really seems to lose his mind more and more. Although his death is near he still wants to punish people who failed him, even want to sacrifice the German people for his cause. We sort of know how it is going to end but the film keeps our attention a lot better than in the first half.
'Der Untergang' seems so very accurate that it is hard to talk a little negative about it. Still, it is a fact that even accurate events can be boring. Yes, what we see is impressive at times, but some parts only exist out of talking while the film keeps introducing new characters. What will stay with you, even in the lesser parts, is the performance of Bruno Ganz. He shows a human side of Hitler, but he stays creepy and you will never like him in any single way. Especially in the outbursts we think we are really watching Hitler. It is brilliant. Although less noticeable, the other performances are very good too.
The scenes outside are very well made. The filmmakers could have done a better job in how to use them maybe, but again it gives a pretty accurate view on events. Art direction and set decoration, cinematography, the costumes and sound are all perfect, so even if you are distracted by the scenes itself there is enough to enjoy. Some people will love this film, I can see why. I loved it at times, but think especially the script could have been better, tighter if you will. That said, 'Der Untergang', for various reasons, is a must-see.