Having seen Downfall, the later film, first, this looks like a re-make of it in many respects. But there are key differences, this takes a moral view on Hitler, whereas Downfall is more matter of fact, this film is almost exclusively in the Bunker, whereas Downfall shows a bit more of what is happening outside, and some of the details they focus on are different - perhaps reflecting the 30 years additional research since this film was made. If you liked Downfall, you'll find this interesting, but there isn't that much new or different here.

Many inaccuracies. First, Hitler and his bunker crew were German and spoke German. The actors in this film were British and Italian speaking English. The layout of the bunker is way off; it was more cramped. The entire final scene where Eva Braun and Hitler kill themselves is complete and reckless conjecture. How does anyone know what transpired between them in their final moments? Much of this film seemed to about giving a history lesson, what with some characters unnaturally giving historical background while engaged in conversations with one another. It was also awkward to have Hitler discussing the map situation, then the camera cut to a map with subtitles giving the date and how far from Berlin the Russians were — obviously not what Hitler was looking at on the table before him. The film makes Hitler out to be a bad guy, which is as it should be, but make him out to be a bad guy accurately!

Alec Guinness becomes Hitler, and it is the most realistic portrayal I've ever seen. Derek Jacoby and Anthony Hopkins come no where close to this in their respective films, Inside The Third Reich and The Bunker. This is like a color camera capturing Hitler speaking in English. It is frightening yet has touches of humor, especially when the announcement of Hitlers death is made to the other residents of the bunker, you see a pretty blond woman reach for her small case containing cyanide capsules and cigarettes. She chooses the cigarettes and she and everyone else in the room light up. The most memorable line in the film is Hitler trying to conjure up some of the old charismatic magic of the past, addressing a young captain played by Simon Ward. "The Gods give their love only to those who demand the impossible. Mankind is ruled by will, by determination. When the will is thrust by genius, it generates a force which throughout history has proved irresistible"

The movie opens with a series of affidavits attesting to its authenticity, as if it already expects its accuracy to come under suspicion. At least, that's what I thought when I saw various scenes and conversations that appeared to be badly interpolated from known or widely accepted historical facts.The basic problem is the fallacy that you can't go wrong in saying bad things about a bad guy. Unfortunately, this oversimplified formula is applied here and takes the subjective high ground. This is most obvious, in the 21st century, where Hitler's anti-smoking policy is hyped. An analysis of this from a 1973-based perspective shows an arrogant, self-indulgent dictator imposing his own killjoy whims on those imprisoned in his presence. On the other hand, what we see now is a top-level politician banning smoking in a very small portion of all government offices. No one is to blame for playing on dated values, however this does highlight the subjectivity and specious moral judgments being made.In fact, there is also a good deal of realism. Real historical events are referenced and Hitler's real attitudes towards certain individuals and groups are also demonstrated. But they are tacked on to the unconvincing drama.However, if you did like this movie, you probably won't like The Bunker (1981) with Anthony Hopkins. It's much more even in it's portrayal of history's easiest portrayable villain, if you don't mind Goebbels sounding like he's from... what, New York?