Downfall (Untergang, Der)
[cert 15, 150 mins]
At the age of twenty-two, Traudl Junge became Hitler’s personal Secretary in 1942 staying with him throughout the war until the last days including the fall of Berlin and subsequent suicide of the Fehrer.
The film, based on Junge’s own personal diaries, details these last desperate days in the bunker, as Russia’s Red Army closes in, with only a handful of Hitler’s close commanders, fanatical officers and staff remaining faithful. A deluded Hitler plans the final steps of the downfall by dictating his last will and testament and finally marrying Eva Braun prior to taking their own lives.
Director:Oliver Hirschbiegel
Starring:Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Corinna Harfouch, Ulrich Matthes
Level:AS, A2, GCSE
Subjects:Film Studies, German, History
