Dwardus Prime Entertainment Blog» David Schofield

Valkyrie (2008)

Dwardus — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 10:59:36 +0000

Valkyrie is a sobering overview of the failed July 20th, 1944 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

Directed by Bryan Singer, Valkyrie follows the story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) and features notable performances from Kenneth Branagh (Major-General Henning von Tresckow), Bill Nighy (General Friedrich Olbricht), Tom Wilkinson (General Friedrich Fromm), David Schofield (Erwin von Witzleben) and Eddie Izzard (General Erich Fellgiebel).

After being wounded horribly in Tunisia, von Stauffenberg returns to Nazi Germany. General Henning von Tresckow (Branagh) who has already failed in an attempt to assassinate Hitler, recruits von Stauffenberg to help.

Following a bombing raid on Berlin (accompanied by Richard Wagner’s Flight of the Valkyrie on the record player) von Stauffenberg realises he may be able to use a revised version of Operation Valkyrie, which allows the deployment of Germany’s Reserve Army should a national emergency occur. Fromm, the head of the Reserve Army is unfortunately the only one who can initiate Valkyrie, but he is a slippery customer and whereas von Stauffenberg and co. are selfless and will ultimately die for what they believe in, Fromm has no such belief system.

Attempts on Hitler’s life culminate with an order for von Stauffenberg to blow up both Hitler and Himmler inside Wolf’s Lair, a bunker where they are to hold a strategic meeting. Von Stauffenberg is not to go ahead if Himmler does not show, but ignores the order and the explosives he plants go off anyway. Sure that Hitler is dead, von Stauffenberg and the other allies set about taking control and rebuilding Germany.

Cruise gives an adequate performance but you never really get into the head of Stauffenberg – some German critics complain that he’s missing the wit and charisma of his real-life counterpart. Also, there’s Cruise’s American accent and many British accents in the film, then there’s Hitler’s German accent which jars. Perhaps they should have gone with all German accents or left them out completely.

Overall Valkyrie is highly watchable but often leaves you feeling detached, as if a great deal more besides went on and that you’re only scratching the surface by watching the film. I did come out of the cinema in a thoughtful mood however, wondering how these few people may have changed the course of the war (even in its late stage) and perhaps the way Germany was viewed for a number of years after the war. What if Germans had won the war by killing Hitler and dismantling Nazi Germany themselves? Maybe perceptions would have been no different given all that had happened, but who can reasonably say?

Kirill (full-length) Director’s Cut

Dwardus — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:36:18 +0000

Certainly if you have any time (or even if you don’t!) check out the full-length Kirill here. I haven’t seen it myself yet but it’s just what the doctor ordered. A follow-up blog is definately on the cards! Watch this space…

Kirill episode 10 (final episode) “Beginning”

Dwardus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:46:45 +0000

Don’t talk, just watch it here.

Discussions to follow!

Kirill Episode #9: DEATH

Dwardus — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:14:31 +0000

So Kirill’s made contact with Viv, we’ve discovered the dog, this troubled man’s only friend is an employee of Nomi and we’ve just found out some more shocking news. Here’s waiting for the next and final episode! I’m glad Stu’s back and blogging, but that whole disappearance thing was kinda strange.

If you’ve no idea what Kirill is or what I’m talking about, you should check out MSN UK’s viral drama here and you may want to read my earlier blog posts detailing the first few episodes here, here and here.

Stay tuned.

Kirill Latest

Dwardus — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:53:31 +0000

It was my intent to update on Kirill much more regularly, but life has conspired to get in the way! We’re now on episode 8 of 10 as far as the videos are concerned, which seem to be getting better and better. What’s more, Quantum Stu’s back! His new footage is kinda creepy (check this out below). You can clearly see the secuity guard/assassin with the night vision googles looming out of the darkness at 0:25.

Check out the latest episodes of Kirill if you haven’t already. I’m still making my mind up if I like episode 7 or 8 more. Want to get me a dog now.

Brand new Kirril: Outside

Dwardus — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:48:44 +0000

There’s a brand new Kirril episode this morning, and things are heating up for our favourite fugitive. It’s a cool episode, and you should check it out. Hopefully Viv’ll get the message and at least be on her toes. More on this later, need morning coffee and to get some work done first!