Downfall
Seen it?2004 | 155 min | Drama, History, War
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences rate it highly (7.9 out of 10) and it made about 6 times its budget, despite little lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Schindler's List or Oppenheimer, start here.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 35 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's long: 2 hr 35 min.
- It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Russian Army closing in from the east and the Allied Expeditionary Force attacking from the west. In Berlin, capital of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his generals and advisers to fight to the last man. When the end finally does come, and Hitler lies dead by his own hand, what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin, and lay down their arms in surrender.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
90% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesStrong
7.9 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$92 million worldwide on a $16 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
Not enough engagement data yet
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel
- Bruno GanzAdolf Hitler
- Alexandra Maria LaraTraudl Junge
- Corinna HarfouchMagda Goebbels
- Ulrich MatthesJoseph Goebbels
- Juliane KöhlerEva Braun
- Heino FerchAlbert Speer
- Christian BerkelProf. Dr. Ernst-Günter Schenck
- Thomas KretschmannSS-Gruppenführer Hermann Fegelein
- Ulrich NoethenReichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler
- Birgit MinichmayrGerda Christian