Valkyrie is a 2008 historical stoy based thriller film directed by Bryan Singer and starring Tom Cruise. The film is based on the July 20, 1944 plot of German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and marks the re-teaming of Singer and producer/screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie. Cruise will portray the leader of the plot, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg.
Cruise's casting caused controversy among German politicians and members of Stauffenberg's family due to the actor's practice of Scientology, though German newspapers and filmmakers gave support to the film to spread global awareness of von Stauffenberg's attempted plot. The filmmakers of Valkyrie initially had difficulty setting up filming locations in Germany, but they were later given leeway to film in locations pertaining to the film's story, such as Berlin's historic Bendlerblock.
The film changed release dates from as early as June 27, 2008 to as late as February 14, 2009. The changing calendar and poor response to United Artists's initial marketing campaign drew criticism about the studio's viability. After a positive test screening, Valkyrie's release date was ultimately set to December 25, 2008. United Artists renewed its marketing campaign to reduce its focus on the star Tom Cruise and to play up director Bryan Singer's previous credentials.
Valkyrie: StoryA proud military man, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is a loyal officer who loves his country but has been forced to watch with horror as the rise of Hitler has led to the events of World War II. He has continued his military service, all the while hoping someone will find a way to stop Hitler before Europe and Germany are destroyed.
Realizing time is running out, Stauffenberg decides he must take action himself, and in 1942, on his own initiative, attempts to persuade senior commanders in the East to confront and overthrow Hitler. Then in 1943, while recovering from injuries suffered in combat, Stauffenberg joins forces with the German Resistance, a long-existing civilian anti-Hitler conspiracy comprised of men hidden inside the highest reaches of power.
Armed with a cunning strategy to use Hitler’s own emergency plan to stabilize the government in the event of his demise--Operation Valkyrie--and turn that plan on its head to remove those in power and cripple Hitler’s regime, these men plot to assassinate the dictator and overthrow his Nazi government. With everything in place, and with the future of the world, the fate of millions, and the lives of his wife and children hanging in the balance, Stauffenberg is thrust from being one of many who oppose Hitler to being the one who must kill Hitler himself.
ReceptionTodd McCarthy reviewed the film for the entertainment trade paper Variety, and commented: "After a long takeoff, 'Valkyrie' finally takes flight as a thriller in its second half but never soars very high." McCarthy described Tom Cruise's performance as "a bit stiff but still adequate". Writing in The Hollywood Reporter, Kirk Honeycutt gave as his "Bottom Line" assessment: "Well-crafted historical thriller boasts fine performances but fails to probe the motives behind the plot to kill Hitler.
‘Valkyrie’ Official Trailer
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