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Downfall

Play trailer Poster for Downfall R Released Sep 8, 2004 2h 34m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 137 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In 1942, young Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara) lands her dream job -- secretary to Adolf Hitler (Bruno Ganz) at the peak of his power. Three years later, Hitler's empire is now his underground bunker. The real-life Traudl narrates Hitler's final days as he rages against imagined betrayers and barks orders to phantom armies, while his mistress, Eva Braun (Juliane Köhler), clucks over his emotional distance, and other infamous Nazis prepare for the end.
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Downfall

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Critics Consensus

Downfall is an illuminating, thoughtful and detailed account of Hitler's last days.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Does Downfall "humanize" Hitler and his henchmen, as its critics have complained? Yes, and it should: to pretend these villains were less than human is to let ourselves off the hook, to take the easy and dangerous exit of demonology. Jan 22, 2013 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 4/5 Apr 1, 2006 Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Some demons are too extreme to comprehend, but Hirschbiegel's film nonetheless provides a painfully unflinching glimpse into the outer workings of the mortally wounded Third Reich. Rated: 4/5 Apr 3, 2005 Full Review Jane Freebury The Canberra Times (Australia) A provocative, thoughtful perspective on an arch-criminal guilty of heinous crime. Aug 18, 2022 Full Review James Croot The Post NZ It is a stunning performance of light and shade, tracing his descent from total denial to despair, disillusionment and defeat. Rated: 4.5/5 Mar 26, 2021 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Most impressive of all is how, with the world closing in on the ranting, paranoid monster, Ganz ratchets down his performance from towering to cowering in minute increments. Rated: 5/5 Apr 3, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Cem Okan Y Probably the first movie to watch if interested in WW2 and Hitler Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/12/25 Full Review Larry K Bruno Ganz with an epic performance. Fantastic movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/26/25 Full Review 21 - Priyan B Excellent documentation of Hitler's last days. Rating: 8.3/10 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/16/25 Full Review Tyler S This has never been my type of movie. But this definitely kept me intrigued the whole time. Pacing was very good, story was very interesting, and the acting was phenomenal. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/15/25 Full Review Fer S The acting is superb. However, I was not a fan of the drama. I'd much rather the movie let the audience imagine how tragic a moment was instead of trying to show how it could have been. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/08/25 Full Review Xi C What have I missed before! I was worried it might depicted Hitler as a stereotyped lunatic dictator. But actually it is one of the best WWII movies I have ever watched. Nothing dramatic or sensational or political. Just plainly to display everyone in front of you as natural as he/she was. I see the true humanity here. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/06/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Oliver Hirschbiegel

Director

Bruno Ganz

Adolf Hitler

Alexandra Maria Lara

Traudl Junge

Corinna Harfouch

Magda Goebbels

Ulrich Matthes

Joseph Goebbels

Juliane Köhler

Eva Braun

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Downfall

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1942, young Traudl Junge (Alexandra Maria Lara) lands her dream job -- secretary to Adolf Hitler (Bruno Ganz) at the peak of his power. Three years later, Hitler's empire is now his underground bunker. The real-life Traudl narrates Hitler's final days as he rages against imagined betrayers and barks orders to phantom armies, while his mistress, Eva Braun (Juliane Köhler), clucks over his emotional distance, and other infamous Nazis prepare for the end.
Director
Oliver Hirschbiegel
Producer
Bernd Eichinger
Screenwriter
Bernd Eichinger
Distributor
Newmarket Film Group
Production Co
Constantin Film Produktion, Degeto Film, RAI Cinema, EOS Entertainment, Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) [at]
Rating
R (Some Nudity|Disturbing Images|Strong Violence)
Genre
History, Drama, War
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 8, 2004, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Feb 18, 2005
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 4, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.5M
Runtime
2h 34m
Sound Mix
Surround
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