East Carolinian

Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: staff photo

Movie
"Valkyrie"

Stars
Tom Cruise

Synopsis
The movie is based on a factual account of an attempted assassination plot by a group of German officers who opposed to Adolf Hitler's regime of violence and discrimination. "Valkyrie" was a plan developed for the Reserve Army of Germany that would be initiated in the event that a disruption caused by the assassination of Hitler -- or bombing of German cities -- resulted in a breakdown of law and order.
In 1944, Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg (Cruise) decides to use it to assist him and his men in overthrowing Hitler.

The good
There are many special effects. This is definitely a movie for World War II fanatics. It also gives the viewer a lot of accurate information. The historical scenes and context keep the watchers captivated throughout. David Bamber, who looked very similar, portrayed Hitler, truly giving a sense of who Hitler was. Despite the fact that Cruise helped produce the film, his portrayal of Stauffenburg - loyal to his country at all times - was quite convincing.

The bad
At the beginning of the film, Cruise is seen and heard writing in his journal in German. Then he starts speaking English. No one in the film can pull off a German accent - especially the New York-born Cruise.

The ugly
I don't expect anyone in the film to win an Oscar for his or her performance, but it's nice to see Cruise playing something other than the pretty boy (he loses an eye and a hand in the film).

Verdict
Unless you are a history buff, sit this one out and wait for the DVD.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.

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