Valkyrie - Movie Review

Valkyrie is based on the July 1944 plot to kill Adolf Hitler. It is a true story in which German soldiers, frustrated with their Fuehrer, conspire to kill their supreme Commander. The man who is singularly responsible for the form of world we live in today. At the face of it, it looked like a water tight plan. The officers, along with their political friends, trick Hitler into signing a document called Operation Valkyrie, which authorizes the Berlin Reserve police force to take over the country in case of Hitler's death. In the centre of it all is Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise). The plan goes well. The blast takes place as planned in the war briefing room of Hitler at a location in Russia. The reserves are mobilised. The SS are taken in custody. But then the news floats that Hitler is not dead. The small changes are undone in minutes and all those involved are arrested. Later, as it is a well documented historical fact, all of them are executed.

In today’s times when the young generation has no clue of the ‘pains and scars’ of the World Wars, the making of this movie is a brave initiative indeed. The movie is well directed by Bryan Singer (Superman Returns, being his latest in 2006). Tom Cruise with one eye covered and sporting a different hair style is good, though at times I got a feeling that he appeared to be a little stiff. But then the times were such. This is perhaps the thirteenth attempt to capture the essence of the Jul 20, 1944 plot to kill Hitler. The number might be thirteen and many might be saying it is not a great movie, but according to me it is a must watch.