HU BBC4 21.00 Tonight

[Tomliner]

'Downfall' . If you've not already seen this powerful and historically accurate film then now's your chance.Set mainly in Berlin during the final weeks of WW2,this film captures the the absolute refusal of Hitler to recognize that the end was near.Made in Germany and spoken in German with English subtitles(it couldn't have been any other way),the acting is superb with many of the actors closely resembling their real life characters.The Swiss actor Bruno Ganz gives probably the best portrayal of Hitler ever.At the end of the film,information on the subsequent happenings to the survivors is given.EricT

[dodger]

Hello Eric,

Along with Das Boot this is a really great film, i have had this on DVD since it first came out and like you say the Swiss actor Bruno Ganz is superb, in an interview after the film was made he said he was worried about playing the part , he did a great job,


What ever people think about the film it is History and does give a good idea what it must have been like.

Roger.

[Motormouse]

Eerily scary film. Based on the diaries of the secretary.

Has spawned a viral skit industry all of its own on you tube.

Ttfn

Pete

[petermcleland]

I watched it on iPlayer yesterday and even though I was aware of all the facts, I found some of it very disturbing to watch.

[Tomliner]

As Peter says it is a disturbing film to watch but it is so well directed and acted and is based closely on fact.Credit should be given to Germany in making such a film which ,in effect, acknowledges their past and comes to terms with it.We await a similar event from Japan but I suspect that it will be a long wait.EricT

[tonymadge]

Brilliant film with superb acting, I have it on DVD and have watched it a few times each viewing I see something different in it. If Hollywood had done this it would have been an Oscar winner in lots of categories however I like it in the original German language format it makes it even more realistic and creepy....