The film Valkyrie (2008) is a historical political thriller film directed by Bryan Singer and starring Tom Cruise. It is based on the true story of the 20 July plot in 1944 by German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to use the Operation Valkyrie national emergency plan to take control of the country.
Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, one of the key plotters. The film follows Stauffenberg and his fellow conspirators as they plan and execute the assassination attempt. It also shows the aftermath of the plot, as the Nazis hunt down and execute the plotters.
Valkyrie is a suspenseful and dramatic film that explores the themes of courage, resistance, and sacrifice. It is also a reminder of the dangers of fascism and the importance of fighting for democracy.
The film was met with mixed reviews from critics. Some praised its performances, direction, and suspenseful plot, while others criticized its historical accuracy and its depiction of Cruise. However, Valkyrie was a commercial success, grossing over $200 million at the box office.
Here are some interesting facts about the film:
- The film was shot on location in Germany, including at the Bendlerblock, where the plotters were executed.
- Cruise learned to speak German for the role.
- The film features an ensemble cast of British and American actors, including Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Eddie Izzard, Terence Stamp, and Tom Wilkinson.
- Valkyrie was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.
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Cast
- Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg
- Kenneth Branagh as Major General Henning von Tresckow
- Bill Nighy as General of Infantry Friedrich Olbricht
- Terence Stamp as Colonel General Ludwig Beck
- Tom Wilkinson as General Friedrich Fromm
- Carice van Houten as Nina Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg
- Kevin McNally as Dr. Carl Friedrich Goerdeler
- David Schofield as Field Marshal Erwin von Witzleben
- Christian Berkel as Colonel Albrecht Ritter Mertz von Quirnheim, a plotter with knowledge of explosives
- Jamie Parker as Lieutenant Werner von Haeften, an adjutant to von Stauffenberg who helps the colonel carry out the plot
- Eddie Izzard as General of Signal Corps Erich Fellgiebel, a German signals officer and plotter, responsible for communications at Hitler's bunker Wolf's Lair
- David Bamber as Adolf Hitler, the Führer of Germany: During Bamber's audition for the role, Singer was struck by Bamber's eyes and stated that Bamber had a quality that resonated with Hitler
- Thomas Kretschmann as Major Otto Ernst Remer
- Harvey Friedman as Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda and a member of Hitler's inner circle
- Kenneth Cranham as Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, the head of the OKW and a member of Hitler's inner circle
- Matthias Freihof as Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS and a member of Hitler's inner circle
- Waldemar Kobus as Wolf-Heinrich Graf von Helldorf, chief of the Berlin police who pledges his and men's assistance in carrying out the plot
- Halina Reijn as Margarethe von Oven, secretary in the Bendlerblock: Reijn co-starred with fellow Dutchwoman Carice van Houten in Black Book.
- Werner Daehn as Major Ernst John von Freyend
- Tom Hollander as Colonel Heinz Brandt
- Bernard Hill as a general working with von Stauffenberg during the Tunisian campaign: While he is not named in the film, the 10th Panzer Division's commander while von Stauffenberg was serving with it was Lieutenant General Friedrich Freiherr von Broich.
- Ian McNeice as the composite "Pompous General" who attempts to disrupt the coup headquarters: Though the general is not named in the film, McQuarrie and Alexander said the character was based on General Joachim von Kortzfleisch, who tried to disrupt the coup in the same fashion.
- Danny Webb as Captain Haans
- Chris Larkin as Sergeant Helm
- Gerhard Haase-Hindenberg as Hermann Göring
- Anton Algrang as Albert Speer
- Helmut Stauss as judge Roland Freisler
- Matthew Burton as Lieutenant General Adolf Heusinger
- Philipp von Schulthess as Major General Henning von Tresckow's aide: The actor is the grandson of Claus von Stauffenberg
Director: Bryan Singer
Writer: Christopher McQuarrie Nathan Alexander
Box Office Gross: $201,545,517
Distributor: United Artists
Genre: Drama History Thriller War
Release Date: December 25, 2008
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