Released in 2004, it won the Oscar for best non-English language film. The Downfall was controversial. Its defenders praised it, its detractors criticized it for humanizing the devil.

Hitler caused irreparable damage to the world; we cannot contradict what we have all seen and read about that time, when Europe was plunged into the same hell. But they were spread by hatred and death across the continent, they were people. Even the mad leader they followed with fanaticism

Downfall

The film directed by Oliver Hirsgbiegel tells us about Hitler's last days, before he decided to take his own life, when he realizes that he has lost the war. A part of the narrative is told through the point of view of one of the fuhrer's personal secretaries. There are other subplots that alternate with the main one, which serve to show us the final moments of an absurd war.

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There are films about the Second World War in abundance. There will also be many more that will be made, with different stories set in the war. But few have dealt with the subject from the point of view of the evil Nazis.

The film was written mainly based on the memoirs of Traudl Junge, the private secretary we see in the film, as well as other books , among them the one by historian Joachim Fest, with the same title as the film. For that reason, a sector of the specialized critics, applauds the way in which the director recreates the scenes, as much of the interior of the bunker, like which they are developed in the exteriors, images equipped with great realism.

The Actor

Bruno Ganz, who died last year, was the actor charged with playing the most ruthless man not only of the twentieth century, of all time. The actor does an extraordinary job. Even some of the film's detractors could not deny that he is the most realistic film Hitler ever to appear on the big screen.

With the weight of defeat on men, bent over and showing signs of fatigue, the Hitler that Ganz builds, fills the screen with his presence. Whether he's feeding the dog lovingly or reclaiming from his subordinates the mistakes that will lead them to defeat, Ganz achieves a perfect transformation.

The rest of the cast does a great job, too. Alexandra Maria Lara played Trauld Junge, the young secretary, who did not see Hitler as a demon, on the contrary, she had great respect. The real Junge appears at the end of the film. Ulrich Matthes and Corinna Harfouch play Joseph and Magda Goebbles, the couple completely blinded by the madness of fanaticism.

The scene

There's one scene that really struck me when I first saw it, for me, it's one of the most chilling scenes I've ever seen. When Magda Goebbles enters the room where her young children are, where she will proceed to poison them. Impossible not to feel repulsion. How far can fanaticism go?

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The Meme

Another scene in the film has become part of today's popular culture. It is the famous scene where Hitler recites a monologue against the generals who had the mission to win the war. We see Hitler furious, verbally attacking everyone, who keeps silent and does not dare to refute anything to the commander in chief. Outside is the rest of the staff with soldiers, listening to the insults. The clip of the scene is used to adapt it to different situations, on the Internet there are hundreds of versions, in different languages.

A great film that deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. Especially in these times, where fanaticism and hatred continue to be the banner of many political movements around the world. A new world war, with the existing arsenal of nuclear weapons, would have unimaginable consequences.

Trailer

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