This was a fantastic movie. I care nothing about History at the time, and dislike drama's immensely, but this was thrilling and wonderful and well shot and acted.Tom Cruise is fantastic in this. This was right at the infancy of the modern Social Justice Feminism movement. I remember these bunch of feminists and social justice folks bad mouthing this movie because of the accents and well, Tom Cruise was in it.Tom Cruise for years, has been attacked by members of Hollywood and the establishment. I wonder why? I suspect he's a Republican and Hollywood is trying to push Liberalism.But this movie, you know, from the tagline and so fort; but it is well executed, has great tension and at the end you are pulling for Tom Cruise to win as all reality is suspended....the mark of a great movie.EXCELLENT; highly entertaining and recommended. 10 out of 10. The camera work is top notch, the acting and so is the stunning music.

I had seen Valkyrie, the 2008 film by Bryan Singer at the cinema, and I anxiously awaited its DVD release. I was gifted the DVD shortly after release and watched it for a few months straight several times. I added it to my June schedule after realizing I hadn't seen it in nearly 10 years since those months passed just after the DVD release, to see if it held up for me. I was happy to learn that it did, which is not always the case in a film I liked at the time of release after year pass. Valkyrie stars Tom Cruise and Kenneth Branagh in a retelling of the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler and political coup plotted by renegade German Army officers. Historical films are a tough batch if you're historically inclined and know the outcome of what's being filmed, and Valkyrie managed to sustain suspense despite knowing how the plot turned out. Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) has been severely damaged, like many, by WWII. Losing an eye and an arm in battle, Colonel Stauffenberg along with many others has come to the conclusion that an honorable surrender is the only way out of the war. The problem with the idea of an honorable surrender is the fact that Adolf Hitler would have to be eliminated in order for that to take place. All previous attempts on Hitler's life had failed so Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg has been recruited to head this attempt. In order for this attempt to work, Operation: Valkyrie must be changed to enable the members of the coup to take control of Berlin in the event of Hitler's demise. As the coup members go to work plotting an assassination of Hitler and a military takeover of Berlin, their plan is thwarted by a series of failings and a rout of bad luck.I remember being in the minority on the issue of the switch to English from German at the beginning of the film, and I was still unbothered by the change in language despite being a fan of foreign cinema. Granted, I'm usually on board for inventive methods of storytelling, but the language shift left me equally as unfazed ten years later. the most fulfilling part for me of waiting so long between viewings was being more familiar with the actors in the film. I had never seen a Kenneth Branagh film before the first time I saw Valkyrie, but I had heard about him a great deal; ten years later, however, I am familiar with Branagh and recognized him immediately in Valkyrie. The same can be said with my experience with Eddie Izzard. I had never even heard his name before my first viewing of Valkyrie, Izzard is well known to me now, and it was a treat to see him in such a role. I'm a classic film fan so I don't often get as much experience with contemporary actors as I probably should so this was a fun exercise in recognition that comes with ten years of cinema maturation. The pacing in Valkyrie was perfect building tension through the end of the film beautifully despite one knowing how the film ends. I was also especially stricken by the lighting of the film. Valkyrie was lit in a way that often evoked a dream-like state while simultaneously providing a ripped-from-the- past historical drama feel, as well. Adding to the tension of the well- paced film was the score, filling the audience with a sense of unease at every turn. Valkyrie is a strong war drama, which well utilizes a unique method of storytelling gripping audiences until the final credits roll; I'm glad the film held up.

Valkyrie (2008): Dir: Bryan Singer / Cast: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branaugh, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp: Powerful war thriller about a failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler and the risk several Germens including Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg take in overseeing that operation Valkyrie succeed. Director Bryan Singer hits high notes on tension as hopes are shattered. This is a far more successful addressing of the Nazi theme than Apt Pupil, which came off as juvenile. He also directed the X-Men films as well as Superman Returns. Great performance from Tom Cruise as Stauffenberg who believed Germany needed saving from certain political death. Cruise has been successful portraying a variety of different roles and this is a terrific shot at playing a fighter against a dictator of his own country. We know that his plan doesn't work since history already states how Hitler came to end, but Stauffenberg faces the consequences, which are fatal and final. In strong supporting roles are Kenneth Branagh, Tom Wilkinson, Terence Stamp, and Bill Nighy who all appear as generals. It is typecasting to the extremes, but also within the best case for it. While Singer is celebrated for superhero films, this easily counters to another audience. The film stresses that there were Germens fighting against Hitler's insane war and desired to repair Germany. In this case the wrong guy died for the right cause. Score: 9 / 10

the subject is a great challenge. because the story is well known . and the expectations to have the most inspired adaptation on screen is the first step. the virtue of entire team of Valkyrie is to do a real surprising film. precise, correct, nuanced, impressive. not the story of a man and his followers but the construction of an idea. the atmosphere of Nazi Germany, the motivation, the family's support, each dialog and each move, the smell of the war and the force of an ideal. and, sure, Tom Cruise in a role who remains confirmation of his talent and hard work. a film who is a splendid homage to the Resistance and, in same measure, a profound useful portrait of a fight under the dictatorship regime.