User Reviews

Maybe the best dramatization of the final days of the Third Reich. I think "Downfall" is a monumental achievement in acting, direction, writing, production, and editing.

After many years, I returned to this film and still consider it one of the best war films ever made. I enjoy it from beginning to end. It grabs me right from the start and doesn't let go. Bruno Ganz gives an excellent performance, in my opinion. Without a doubt. The film always flies by so quickly and simply fascinates me. Very dark. Moments that unfortunately really happened. In my opinion, it contains perhaps the darkest scene in cinema history. I returned to this film after almost ten years, but I remembered that scene well, and now I've seen it again and it's really powerful for me. If it were just a fictional story, that would be one thing, but the fact that it really happened makes it seem truly unbelievable to me. In my opinion, war films are some of the best because they give us a glimpse into a crazy history and can tell powerful and realistic stories. Although my rating may be exaggerated and many people might say that there are better war films, in my eyes Downfall will still be one of the best, if not the best. It keeps me on the edge of my seat. It has pace. From a certain point on, I find it a massacre to watch, and at the end there is the aforementioned scene that I will never get out of my head. For me, it's a very powerful and sad war movie. A piece of sad history. I think it shows well how people were unfortunately obsessed with their leader and how it clouded their minds and made them behave crazily. For me, this movie is sad, breathtaking, and overall excellent.

Only the Germans could shoot Downfall. Not Western cinema, not Russian cinema will be able to convey this agony of retribution that overtook **** in the last days before the fall of the Reich. And although for the most part, the mass audience associates Downfall rather with the meme of rabid **** on the map, in fact it is an excellent military film without action. There's not much of it here, but rather in the background. Downfall about human relationships. I can't say that the authors of Downfall had an idea to whitewash **** and his entourage. But everything is so well filmed here, so realistic that you believe it. And all this is filmed and presented as abstracted as possible from politics, ideology and condemnation. Downfall is almost on the verge of documentary cinema. Maybe that's why it will always be relevant.

The most historically accurate depiction of **** and the other National Socialist leaders that I am aware of. It is important to depict history as it was, without censorship or bias.

"Der Führer ist tot" This movie is one of the most incredible that takes place during the second world war. It does a next to flawless job at capturing the personality and mind of Adolf ****, with Bruno Ganz (Rest in peace) raising the long-dead Führer from the grave for this movie with his acting. This movie is 100% worth a watch and more.

**** was evil He killed a lot of people. He was 56 years old when he died. But he looked older than 56 years old. He acted like a child. He was yelling and frustrated by everything. The actors were great. When Goebbels's wife killed her children, I was emotional. But I was also thinking about Jewish and people who were killed by ****. The war was the saddest event in the 20th century

The film looks good even for 2023. The last days before the victory of the USSR and the Allies are very clearly shown

A powerful and thought-provoking movie that explores the themes of power, corruption, and the human condition. It’s a movie that will make you think deeply about the nature of evil and the consequences of war. The film is a must-see for anyone who loves great storytelling.

solid, incredible and fascinating film, but when the final part of the film arrives, right after the death of the entire bunker, there is a giant drop in the speed and enthusiasm that the film was providing

A riveting watch. There is clear cold detachment in the direction, which makes the film all the stronger. Despite being a simple and well known series of historical events, the inevitable end of the death-cult and its perverse ideology is still fascinating to watch.

it is one of the best films, it is recommended and it is really amazing for everybody, just watch it and enjoy it

was really thrilled by the movie, recommend to people, interested in the world war two history

This is one of the best movies German cinema has brought forth in the past years in my opinion. Seeing the last days of the **** leadership during the Battle of Berlin all slowly losing their minds and grip on reality is just fascinating. It keeps a careful balance between showing combat and the implications it has on the civilian population, with fanatic **** and **** youth, the ever advancing ruthless russians, and a delusional **** and staff sprinkled inbetween. A brilliant movie that everyone should've seen at least once.

At once grandiose, horrific, suffocating, and memetastic, but most importantly perpetually relevant. This film is perhaps the most significant war film of all time and one of the few that explores the full breadth of a nation forced to face the consequences of its choices. Some claim it humanizes atrocity, but the fact remains that it was all driven by human motivations and actions, from table top strategy to the decision to murder kids. Superbly acted (Bruno Ganz *is* ****), with great support casting, and immaculate attention to detail. If nothing else, see this film for an important history lesson.

Great acting by Bruno Ganz and interesting setting of the movie. But many characters were unrealistic, come even like a caricature, especially Eva Braun, J, Goebbels. In the sum I had the impression the movie mocks the germans.

One of, if not the best movie of 2005 and one of the greatest war movies ever made. Ganz as **** is captivating and brilliant in this enthralling and disturbing movie. Must see.

Downfall is one of the most gripping films produced to date. Bruno Ganz, Ulrich Matthes, and Ulrich Noethen in particular truly embodied their roles and presented us with hauntingly verifiable depections of these infamous figures of history. This film lifts a vail and allows for the viewer to see the true greyness of WW2, at times eliciting internally confrontational feelings of sympathy.

Uma perspectiva pesada, deprimente e sufocante sobre a queda **** em Berlim, pelo ponto de vista dos mesmos. O filme é pesado, lento, anti-climático e quase documental. A escolha de direção aqui é assertiva, focando muito nas emoções do **** sem que houvesse um apelo quanto a isso. Suas atitudes deixam um gosto amargo ao redor da obra. Já que nada nas suas atitudes é romantizado, seus atos soam vazios ou desesperados. O elenco tá muito bem, e Bruno Ganz está excelente no papel, transmitindo até as nuances do personagem, pondo um peso nas suas falas, e em determinados momentos leveza nas mesmas. Os momentos de explosão são os mais marcantes, claro. Mas são nas nuances que o Bruno Ganz se diferencia e faz seu papel com maestria.

An excellent movie and insight into the insanity of **** bunker in the final days of the war

My score 99 Metascore / User score 82 / 86 Tomatometer / Audience score 91 / 94 IMDB 82 (89)

This is simply the film transposition of the memories of the last secretary of Adolf ****, the Bavarian girl Traudl Junge. Its a historical document in film, insofar as its absolutely faithful to facts and history. **** was a man with a magnetic charisma and personality, who manipulated people and created in Germany a powerful cult of the leader, through which he became almost unassailable, doing everything he wanted without anyone having the possibility of oppose. We can imagine this manipulative power seeing his generals shaking as ill-behaved boys in one of its most famous scenes. We watch everything: the dictator commanding imaginary troops, inventing plans and dream cities, but also directing, in a ruthlessly and cunning way, the few that were faithful to him until the end. The gap between the reality in and off the bunker and the general insensitivity to the suffering of the country is brutally glaring. The actors are illustrious strangers, to the extent that I have never heard of any of them, but the work developed is enough for the film to work very well. In fact, the film is not an acting show, although its good. The value of the film is in the script and story told, no matter how well known it is. It has very strong scenes, some of them absolutely unsuitable for minors and more sensitive people.

This is the best WW2 film, and best German film I watched. This is where Downfall Parodies come from.

I was rather surprised at the overall positive reviews for this film. I found the cinematography lacking and the storyline rather mundane. While Bruno Ganz did a remarkable job presenting **** as a compassionate man to those he chose to care for as well as flashes of the monster he was and his diseased mind, I felt the film also whitewashed those who served him and the crimes they committed. They appeared as proud, loyal soldiers, devoted until the end as any soldier is expected to be. Yet these men assisted in the genocide of more than 60 million people and no mention of their atrocities was every made. Also Traudl Junge was no child, she was 22 and aware of who **** was, yet she is portrayed as a pleasant, slightly naive, bland young girl. If you had no knowledge of history all you would know is that **** appears quite a being quite 'off' and everyone else had a strong handle on reality or pleasantly ignorant. I had a difficult time empathizing with any of the characters or even disliking any of them. It generally provoked no response in me other than irritation with the exception of the portrayal of Magda Goebbels. She was well played by Corrina Harfouch and I found myself genuinely feeling hatred towards her as I watched the film. I liked the concept of the film but found the approach as narrow as the halls of the bunker.

Remarquable par sa sobriété, La chute n'est pas du genre à s'épancher : il est à cet égard très loin de tout ce qu'a fait ou aurait pu en faire Hollywood. Ce film allemand regarde sa propre histoire avec une lucidité et une neutralité qui laisse admiratif. Il laisse simplement parler les faits d'eux-mêmes mais sans auto-flagellation inutile, car les faits sont assez dramatiques comme ça. On retrouve cette tendance dans ce portrait des derniers jours du personnage **** : on ne diabolise pas, on ne s'apitoie pas non plus... Bruno Ganz relève le défi de ce rôle incroyablement complexe et délivre une interprétation magistrale. La secrétaire incarnée par la belle Alexandra Maria Lara dont le rôle est à peine moins important est également un point de vue très estimable sur ces évènements qui font l'Histoire, un point de vue ni blanc ni noir mais tout en multiples nuances de gris. Sobre, lucide, presque froid, le film s'avère oppressant sur la durée et aurait gagné sans doute à se voir quelque peu élaguer ici et là. On ne s'y ennuie pas pour autant et sa grande force finalement est de nous montrer sans ambages la folie du fanatisme national-socialiste. La mise en scène adroite d'Oliver Hirschbiegel participe au réalisme ressenti et son effet n'en est que plus sidérant en fin de compte.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

It's whether you take this film to be serious or take it as a joke. I feel so sorry for those who has to take this as a joke. Well, except for that one very popular scene.

Great movie depicting true unbiased facts, good or bad, about ****! People should be enlightened with the story of 'Young Follower' Traudl Junge, braveness in beauty from Munich.

So this movie didn't win a Oscar for Bruno Ganz spectacular performance or didn't win for best foreign language film, man f**k the Oscars. The movie is about a group of young women to Wolf's Lair, **** headquarters in Eastern Prussia. They are candidates for the post of personal secretary to the Fuehrer. Among them is 22-year-old Traudl Junge, a fresh-faced girl from Munich. Traudl is chosen for the job and she is overcome with joy at the thought of serving beside her Fuehrer. BERLIN, APRIL 20, 1945: **** has retreated to a bunker system under the German Chancellery. Traudl Junge is asleep in her room, deep beneath the ground. She is awakened by tremors from artillery fire. The enemy is getting closer. Charting the last 10 days of **** life, from his 56th birthday on April 20th, 1945 to his suicide on April 30th, the film uses multiple characters to show the chaos of a country coming apart at the seams, from **** henchman under the streets of Berlin, to the soldiers and civilians fighting and dying as the Soviet Army ravaged the city above. You know that video on YouTube "**** reactions to this", and a lot of people may not know where that scene came from and it's this movie when it's during **** couple of minute rant and putting those reaction videos to the side this is a great scene if you can get pass that. I thought about bringing that up just in cause you didn't know. I what to start off this review by saying that Bruno Ganz gives one of the best performance of 2004 and probably my favorite performance of all time. Bruno Ganz got **** spot on and he delivered a masterpiece of acting. What Bruno Ganz did so well is add a little human to **** as you can see his struggle and I know we what to see him fail because his a horrible person but as horrible as he his he's struggle to win a battle that he started and it quickly going down hill slowly breaks him, at one point you slowly see him losing it and Bruno Ganz powerful performance that creates are powerful moment that we can feel a little bit of it. Amazing performance Bruno Ganz. The directing in this movie is what works the best as the director shows every detail of **** upcoming fate. I forgive Oliver Hirschbiegel for directing the epic fail that was Diana the film as he made a better historical drama. For problems with the movie these not a lot to be honest, you can say it's kind of a snail paste at times with the pasting but that's really it for problems. Overall DownFall is excellent movie with amazing acting, great writing and directing and a brilliant historical drama.

gut wrenching masterpiece thats both a autobiography and anti war film by acclaimed filmmaker Olivier Hirschbiegel, Der Untergang recounts the last days of **** and **** Germany as the unimaginable terror of Adolf **** rage takes effect on the german people as Russian troops storm Berlin, a film that is to traumatizing and unbearably provocative it is a film not for the feint of heart. A masterpiece of A dream that was **** by lies and murder, one of the most tragic stories from the final moments of WW2, even you feel some pity for the **** and their demented minds a daring film that strikes at the consequences of ****, Bruno Ganz in his most nightmarish performances ever gives one of the most violent portrayals on of the most notorious conquerors in modern history.

I deduct 3 points: -1 = too long. Movie could easily have duration of 120 mins and still tell the same story. Instead it drags on much more than it should -1 = clumsy character introduction. Until the very ending I wasn't sure who was who. -1 = bad pacing and scene cuts. The movie likes to jump from one scene to another without some natural story development. Decent and smart movie about WW2, but requires patience.

I am really disappointed with the way I've handled this movie in a first place. Obviously, like any other Internet-engulfed user, I knew it solely from Parodies made by so-called Untergangers. But one day I chose to watch it with actual translation and after that I became more impressed with historical documentaries than ever before. On one side, parodying movie made it as equally popular as it was 10 years ago but on the other hand, I'm really sad I didn't watch the original first.

Otto is superb in impersonate ****, i have never seen a better actor on this role very well done!. They were able to show the human side of the ****, but they did it without offending anyone! simply love this film

I love this film because i always hate how in some films, **** is portrayed as some personification of evil. He was obviously a murderous tyrant and a very cruel man, but to portray him as a 'demon' detracts from the fact that he was a human being; he laughed , he cried , he loved animals. I'm not trying to say that he had a 'good side' or that he 'wasn't all bad', i just think it more useful to show the full picture so it can be used as a warning to prevent another person like him from appearing in the future. My final verdict for this film is that it is 'A Must See'

This film was absolutely fantastic. Stellar performances by all the actors, a flawless screenplay, and an amazingly top notch directed film by Oliver Hirschbiegel. Downfall was perfect on every level---that I promise you.

Unlike other World War 2 related movies,the character for **** remains in the focus for a longer duration.Character were great,now you just can't expect a lot of action from this movie so given the topic of this movie is about the **** last hours,the whole crew has made a very decent attempt..

By the end of Downfall, I came to realize more about **** he was mad, evil, ill, and monstrous but by the time the war is about to end, he continues to wage it in fantasy. Hirschbiegel carefully explains it through a fantastic performance by Ganz, which is described by critics and audiences, as the first portrayal of **** as a human being, rather than being a cartoon monster. It is great to see an impressing revelation of humanizing ****. He is kind to his female secretaries, loves his dog Blondi, and is always surrounded by his loyal associates. But on his next breath, he shows cold ruthlessness, dispassionate brutality, and mayhem, causing the deaths of not only millions of Jews, but also millions of other Europeans and Americans. But, really, he is a man trying to fight for what he believes. Downfall is a powerful tale of menace, sadness, betrayal, corruption, ranting, and the somewhat consequence of war for Germany. It finally reach what its message expect its film to do: making a revelation of humanizing ****, and no other remake couldn't have the guts to surpass its expectations.

Fantastic film from the perspective of the Germans. While you may know the ending, it certainly shined a light on some events you did not had happened. Very intriguing and informative watch that had brilliant directing and acting.

This movie is absolutely amazing. I was completely immersed and interested in it throughout the entire film. The actors were spectacular in performing their roles and the screenplay was just beautiful. Some would argue that it make the **** look more like human beings instead of evil monsters, and that is somewhat true. However in no way, shape, or form does it place them on a pedestal. It accurately details the last days of Adolf **** based on accounts by his former secretary, Traudl Junge. If you are interested in World War II and would like to see a great movie that depicts the last days of Adolf ****, this is a must see.

While it may be sedately paced, "Downfall" still delivers a complex and challenging representation of the "Third Reich"'s befitting demise, frequently dazzling the audience with a brilliant performance from Bruno Ganz in the process.

I have never seen such an amazing movie. I felt so touched by it and kind of felt bad for the **** in the end. I know it's a crazy thing to say but that's how powerful this movie is. I am an English speaker and have never bothered to watch a foreign film because I thought I wouldn't have the patients. But boy was I wrong. If you still haven't seen this movie then I recommend that you go see it NOW. It is on Netflix if you have Netflix and if you don't try and see if you can get it from amazon or something. It is a must own, especially if you're into WWII.

This is a fantastic movie. I am learning German at school and this was just appealing to me. Bruno Ganz was an exceptional ****. I watched this on a 10 hour flight. I watched it twice. The actors acted really well, the movie wasn't entirely based around violence like Inglorious Basterds was. Sure, some of the German Commanders blew their brain out... This is a masterpiece

An intimate and atmospheric look at the final days of the Third Reich. The most important feature of this film is the realistic portrayal of Adolf ****, putting to rest crass oversimplifications of his character. The cast are excellent, particularly Ganz who dominates every scene he is in.

Excellent portrayal of the final days of the Third Reich and in particular **** and his demise into insanity and paranoia. Well directed with some excellent camera work, this film was rightly nominated for an Oscar and is a must for anybody with an interest in the era of history.

I watched this movie so many times and I really enjoyed every bit of it. For once we get to watch a film about **** and the **** last days from the point of view of the Germans. Therefore you won't be seeing any sort of glorifying of American or Allied fighters blablabla... Instead, this film is about **** desperation for survival or miracle as each day closes in for the end of the Third Reich. You will see how the most loyal soldiers are quick to lose faith while others remain loyal to the **** cause. The film also shows abit of **** human side and his love for his country. The film is very emotional and perhaps a more accurate portrayal of **** circle. If you're an open-minded person, be sure to check this movie out. It's certainly worth it!!

The most convincing flick portraying **** last days ever. Again, all the German actors play very well, almost all are on par with Bruno Ganz. What I found very interesting was this movie showing what the entire Berlin felt like in the last days of the war and how the headquarters planned their demise. We have all the most important German commanders` silhouettes shown . Each and every one of them a separate character with unique history. Most of the time people are talking in this film, but it is never boring. There is a huge tension of the end coming in closer every hour. Finally, this flick shows the tragedy of German nation led by a fanatic.

This film must simply be seen. Now it must be said, it's not an action film, so don't expect to see a whole lot of it, it's drama. The film plays with your emotions, it gives the **** a face and humanize them, you will come to pity them. I think it's about time we see a daring film as this, that really tries to show the hell that war truly is, not like the Hollywood films that usually glorifies it. And that truly manages to portray **** as a human, not a monster, regardless of the unspeakable crimes he committed. It's a must-see, and watch it in German with subtitles.

A unique portrayal of a war from the villain's point of view, telling it like it is. Every single actor is absolutely amazing in their performances. Writing is fantastic and shocking. It shows that even animals can have feelings.