Downfall (Untergang, Der)

Oliver Hirschbiegel brings one of the controversial topics of the past century to the cinema screen in Downfall. This film covers the events that lead to the end of WWII, from the inner sanctums of Hitler’s leadership.

What makes this such an amazing film is that it’s German. Too much of the western view of the events surrounding the end of World War II come from the American or British perspective. This film stands up and challenges the motion that Hitler was a monster of pure evil. It suggests that the monster was also a man, a man gone mad beyond reason, but still a man.

Combine this epic backdrop with stellar directing and cinematography, as well as a performance by Bruno Ganz which is now being called the definitive Hitler, and what you have is a film that just can’t be missed.

Catch it on Tuesday at 10pm after the equally but very differently impressive Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story.