I just watched "Downfall" with Bruno Ganz. It must be like this with Bush

[NNadir]

This movie covers the complete break from reality that characterized Hitler in the last days in the bunker.

One senses that similar self-delusion is going on right now in the cadre of Crawford Coward.

[flowomo]

1. great movie... and I see your point....

cracking as the fantasies fall apart.

[RoyGBiv]

2. Good movie?

I keep staring at it in my EOD listings, but I never have rented it. I do not want to waste a few more hours of my life on yet another romanticized version of "the bunker," but this seems different from the descriptions and previews.

[NNadir]

3. I thought it was very compelling.

I don't recall that I've ever seen a "Bunker Movie," but there is not all that much that is "romantic" about this film.

I read a great deal about these events when I was younger. It seems pretty much true to everything to my understanding of the events of the time.

The real live (aged) Traudl Junge appears in the film and I think she offers a very powerful statement at the end of the film.

I am glad I tried it. It was the perfect time for it. The "Bush is Hitler" thing is overplayed sometimes, but it does show how easy it is for a leader to isolate himself from reality by surrounding himself with sycophants and yes men. It really does seem germane to these times.

[RoyGBiv]

6. Thanks ...

I think I'll give it a shot.

There was a "made for TV" movie several years ago called _The Bunker_ that actually makes Hitler come off as somewhat sympathetic. You just have to forget the whole mass murdering, racist lunatic thing. I've seen several docudramas and a few other movies based on the same premise -- basically ignore everything that Hitler was all about up to the time he sequestered himself in his bunker and play out the "human drama" of those last days without providing any context. You might get an occasional reminder that this guy was responsible for the deaths of several million people, but it's not the focus of the story. That crap infuriates me.

From what you say, this movie doesn't appear to do that.

[artemisia1]

7. There's nothing romanticized about this treatment. I've been an amateur

Third Reich historian for over twenty years and this is the ONE film that does the Nazi Cult mentality justice. This is well worth it, but get the FULL version that has the kids, including a teenage girl, fighting the Russian advance in the streets of Berlin.

[RoyGBiv]

8. Thanks ...

The version on the EOD (entertainment on demand) listing is a director's cut. I'm clueless as to whether this is the full version, but I think I'll try it out anyway.

[Helga Scow Stern]

4. Yes, I thought the same thing when I saw it months ago.

The way they are all so totally convinced they are in the right.

Hitler's tantrums and how everyone was so careful around him, yet still worshipped him as leader.

The adoration, alarm and concern bound together in the faces of Condi, Rumsfeld, or even Cheney, was also visible in the film in Hitler's confidants.

I want to see the movie again now, especially since Bush has withdrawn to his bunker.

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. I put 'Downfall' in my Netflix queue the other night

Think maybe I'll bump it up to the top.
:popcorn:

[VPStoltz]

9. How strange. I just finished watching myself a few minutes ago.

At the end all I could think of was, "And this maniac too was "elected." I wonder how many Bushies would kill themselves over him?

[NNadir]

10. It must be the season for it.

[monobrau]

11. "They gave us a mandate"

The willingness to sacrifice those that don't swallow the koolaid - dead on.