Review: "Valkyrie"
Thursday, January 1, 2009 at 9:58PM | By Franck Tabouring 
Seen on: December 28, 2008
The players: Director: Bryan Singer, Writers: Nathan Alexander, Christopher McQuarrie, Cast: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice Van Houten, Thomas Kretschmann
Facts of interest: Singer also directed "The Usual Suspects," "X2" and "Superman Returns."
The plot: The film follows a group of Gernan officers plotting to assassinate Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944.
Our thoughts: One of the more serious films opening on Christmas Day last week was Bryan Singer’s “Valkyrie,” a thoroughly entertaining and historically compelling WWII thriller that boasts excellent performances and awesome production values.
The film offers a detailed account of the German resistance’s risky plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944. One of the operation’s key figures is Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise), a German officer who feels he’s betrayed his conscience by serving his country.
The first hour of Singer’s “Valkyrie” moves a lot slower than the second part because it gradually builds up the main intrigue, but the plot is never boring. Suspense may be absent at first, but watching these individuals carefully planning their coup remains an interesting experience throughout.
Once July 20 rolls around, however, the tension explodes and the film quickly transforms into a vibrant thriller that maintains a gripping atmosphere thanks to Singer’s careful and well coordinated direction and John Ottman’s edgy editing and top-notch score.
“Valkyrie” carries a strong script, but the film fails to give viewers an in-depth look at the resistance’s motivations behind the operation. Most of the characters behind the plot talk enough about the importance of getting rid of Hitler as quickly as possible, but they never go into much detail as to why they turned their backs on the Fuehrer.
Fortunately, Singer’s team assembled a fantastic ensemble cast, even though some actors are definitely not given enough onscreen time. Kenneth Branagh and Thomas Kretschmann for instance offer incredibly powerful performances, but the time their characters are given is way too limited.
Brilliant also are Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson, who both bring along the right amount of energy as General Friedrich Olbricht and General Friedrich Fromm. As for Tom Cruise, I definitely enjoyed seeing him in the role of von Stauffenberg, even though I have to admit he looks and sounds a bit weird in select scenes.
Freaky quote: “I am involved in high treason with all means available to me. Can I count you in?" – Tom Cruise
The final word: “Valkyrie” takes a while before switching gears and picking up speed and suspense, but once it does, the film pulls you straight into the middle of the action without letting go until the end credits roll. Entertaining and important, this is a solid historical documentation that does a fine job at highlighting the importance of the “Valkyrie” operation.
Article by Franck Tabouring
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Reader Comments (3)
I am a big war film fan and this film was a complete failure. Boring from start to finish. It may however have been interesting for somebody who did not know about this event. However I found it to be very disappointing. The limited context in which the film is set is the main problem. The film should not have been based on such a small event. The fim is historically correct, it would be best served as being sold as a documentary.
This is another example of Hollywood poor taste. Why would you want to make a movie of a historical figure from another country? Is that because there is big $$ in it? or they can't make the movie themselves? or you can make it better? Imagine if Bollywood is making a movie about F. Roosevelt or France is making a movie about Lincoln.
I found this movie riveting, the plot was set out clearly, and most scenes were suspensuful. I had never seen Tom Cruise in a movie before, so I had no baggage as to his persona. His part was well done, I fell for Carice van Houten - I had not seen such femininity oozing on the screen since Kate Winslet did "Titanic". It was a pity that some of the actors had essentially bit parts. The movie reminded me of how well organised the German armed forces were, was insightful of their miklitary planning machine, and some of the politics. It is a movie I would certainly watch again.