Downfall: Gripping insight into Hitler's last days

A vital piece of cinema.

Downfall is a gripping insight into how the Third Reich's grand dream came to an end. Although critics argue that Oliver Hirschbiegel has created an apologist rendering of Hitler, for daring to portray him and his henchmen and women sympathetically.

But this is too simplistic - Downfall works because it is an intimate, disturbing portrait of megalomania, that proves that humans, even ones as grotesque as Hitler need to be seen as more than black and white, good and evil. He was despicable, but he was able to force an entire nation to join him in his insanity.

Watch 'Downfall'

Wednesday 2 November, 8:30pm on SBS World Movies / Streaming after at SBS On Demand
Friday 4 November, 2:10am on SBS World Movies


MA15+
Germany, 2004
Genre: History, Drama
Director:
 Oliver Hirschbiegel
Starring: Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Juliane Köhler
Downfall
Source: SBS Movies

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By Megan Spencer
Source: SBS

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