Valkyrie (DVD)

Eager to learn something about history I never knew, I really looked forward to this movie. And I have to say I was really impressed. The movie has good production values, features superb performances and managed to do the near-impossible: maintain suspense in a movie where the outcome is already known.

The first half of the movie is basically the set-up. We see Colonel Von Stauffenberg get recruited by the dissident German officers due to his outspoken and vocal criticism of the way the country is being run into the ground. Once he joins the "rebels", his vision in getting rid of Hitler becomes even more focused and determined, which leads him to orchestrate the July 20th plot.

In the second half, Bryan Singer starts to ratchet up the ever-increasing level of suspense and close calls as the plan gets put into motion. And it really is an eye-opening experience to see everything that Operation Valkyrie entailed. With the success of the mission hinging on so many factors, one can only marvel at the intricacy and scope of the plot.

Cruise was very good in the lead role, with just the right amount of self-belief and maybe false optimism to play Von Stauffenberg. Some of the supporting actors though, to be honest, put in even better performances, especially Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson. So leave your skepticism at the door, and give this movie a chance. It's inspiring and tragic, but instills hope in humanity, that only by making a stand can any of us hope to make a difference. (5 out of 5, by Carlisle Johnson)

A proud military man, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is a loyal officer who serves his country all the while hoping that someone will find a way to stop Hitler before Europe and Germany are destroyed.

Realizing that time is running out, he decides that he must take action himself and joins the German resistance. Armed with a cunning strategy to use Hitler's own emergency plan - known as Operation Valkyrie - these men plot to assassinate the dictator and overthrow his Nazi government from the inside.

With everything in place, with the future of the world, the fate of millions and the lives of his wife and children hanging in the balance, von Stauffenberg is thrust from being one of many who oppose Hitler to the one who must kill Hitler himself.

General

Studio:	MGM Home Entertainment
Country of origin:	South Africa
Release date:	May 2010
Actors:	Tom Cruise
Directors:	Bryan Singer
Dimensions:	192 x 137 x 15mm (L x W x T)
Format:
Running time:	2 hours, 1 minute
Region encoding:	Region 2. This DVD will play in all South African DVD players.
Audio format:	Dolby Digital 5.1
Video format:	Widescreen 16:9 (1.78:1)
Age restriction:	13 PGLV
Categories:	DVD > Thriller DVD > War DVD > Feature Film
LSN:	XR3-4FP-4FH-5
Barcode:	6003805103291

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