Valkyrie
The 'July 20 Plot' on Hitler's life is one of the most heroic but least known episodes of World War Two. Severely wounded in combat, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) returns from Africa to join the German Resistance and help create Operation Valkyrie, the complex plan that will allow a shadow government to replace Hitler once he is dead.
But fate and circumstance conspire to thrust Stauffenberg from one of many in the plot to a double-edged central role. Not only must he lead the coup and seize control of his nation’s government… He must kill Hitler himself.
- Director:
- Bryan Singer ('The Usual Suspects', 'X-Men', 'Superman Returns')
- Writer:
- Christopher McQuarrieNathan Alexander
- Cast:
- Tom CruiseKenneth BranaghBill NighyThomas KretschmannEddie IzzardStephen FryTom WilkinsonTerence StampKevin McNally
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Reviews & comments
Flicks, Team
flicksThe good news first: this is as classy looking a suspense thriller as you’d expect from the maker of The Usual Suspects. I found little to gripe about in terms of its pacing, imagery (lots of Nazi black, white and red, naturally) or indeed its performances.
Where are the Germans?
Tom Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a Wehrmacht official who loses his left eye, right hand, and a couple of fingers on his left, after him and his troops are attacked by an air raid in Tunisia. He is evacuated back to Munich, where his wife, Nina (Carice van Houten), is waiting for him. After recovery, he is recruited by General Friedrich...
entertaining but no real suspense or emotional journey
Perhaps it was because I already wiki'd a lot about this assasination attempt in anticipation of seeing the film, but I didnt really feel drawn in or that excited watching this film. It did have lots of action, but I feel that it was still all kept at one suspense level throughout. I found it was a little confusing trying to follow who everyone was (again...
Variety
pressHas visual splendor galore, but is a cold work lacking in the requisite tension and suspense.
The New York Times
pressIf Mr. Cruise doesn't work in Valkyrie, it's partly because he's too modern, too American and way too Tom Cruise to make sense in the role, but also because what passes for movie realism keeps changing, sometimes faster than even a star can change his brand.
Roger Ebert
pressTom Cruise is perfectly satisfactory, if not electrifying, in the leading role.
Los Angeles Times
pressA perfectly acceptable motion picture. The only thing that keeps it from even greater accomplishments may be inherent in the story itself.
Hollywood Reporter
pressSinger has crafted a fine film. One just wishes for greater details -- and a different ending.
Empire Magazine
pressA film more concerned with 'how' than 'why' or 'who', Valkyrie would have benefited from more scrutiny and complexity. Still, once the bomb goes off, the thrills come in spades.
Flicks, Team
flicksThe good news first: this is as classy looking a suspense thriller as you’d expect from the maker of The Usual Suspects. I found little to gripe about in terms of its pacing, imagery (lots of Nazi black, white and red, naturally) or indeed its performances.
Variety
pressHas visual splendor galore, but is a cold work lacking in the requisite tension and suspense.
The New York Times
pressIf Mr. Cruise doesn't work in Valkyrie, it's partly because he's too modern, too American and way too Tom Cruise to make sense in the role, but also because what passes for movie realism keeps changing, sometimes faster than even a star can change his brand.
Roger Ebert
pressTom Cruise is perfectly satisfactory, if not electrifying, in the leading role.
Los Angeles Times
pressA perfectly acceptable motion picture. The only thing that keeps it from even greater accomplishments may be inherent in the story itself.
Hollywood Reporter
pressSinger has crafted a fine film. One just wishes for greater details -- and a different ending.
Empire Magazine
pressA film more concerned with 'how' than 'why' or 'who', Valkyrie would have benefited from more scrutiny and complexity. Still, once the bomb goes off, the thrills come in spades.
Where are the Germans?
Tom Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a Wehrmacht official who loses his left eye, right hand, and a couple of fingers on his left, after him and his troops are attacked by an air raid in Tunisia. He is evacuated back to Munich, where his wife, Nina (Carice van Houten), is waiting for him. After recovery, he is recruited by General Friedrich...
entertaining but no real suspense or emotional journey
Perhaps it was because I already wiki'd a lot about this assasination attempt in anticipation of seeing the film, but I didnt really feel drawn in or that excited watching this film. It did have lots of action, but I feel that it was still all kept at one suspense level throughout. I found it was a little confusing trying to follow who everyone was...
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