May 1943, Chief of Staff to General Ulbricht, Colonel Count Klaus Schenk Von Stauffenberg joins the resistance. The logical world hated Hitler and his politics. It is no surprise that a few of his own bros hated him as well.

Stauffenberg leads a small group of Nazi officers who dare to assassinate Hitler. Germany was loosing the war. Perhaps these men were afraid for themselves, perhaps, they were afraid for their nation or the future of their families; whatever the reason, the Valkyrie conspiracy was a dangerous task to undertake. Plotting the murder of the most evil dictator of all time takes guts.

The conspirators were well aware of what can and will happen to them if they are discovered. The plan was to use Hitler’s own emergency plan, Valkyrie, to overthrow the Nazi government from the inside, under the leadership of Colonel Count Klaus Von Stauffenberg, played by Tom Cruise, who is gorgeous even when one eyed and bares a slight resemblance to the real Count.

As a husband and a father, Stauffenberg is well aware of the risk involved. There are conspirators who stand by him, such as Major General Henning Von Tresckow, played by the wonderful Kenneth Brannagh and General Friedrich Olbright, played by Bill Nighy, a performer who is always true to his character. Based on actual events and partly filmed in Bendlerblock - where it all took place - Valkyrie is directed by the Usual Suspects master, Bryan Singer. Although a supporting role, Hitler is well portrayed by actor David Bamber (who, I bet, couldn’t wait to get out of his costume!) and a decent performance, as usual, is offered by Tom Wilkinson, portraying General Friedrich Fromm.

Stauffenberg’s stoic composure, that of a disciplined Nazi, remains a constant to the very end, yet, the audience can feel his heart beat throughout the film as Cruise builds momentum. Valkyrie is engaging, in great part due to Cruise’s delivery of a well researched character. Bravo to the Valkyrie team in capturing the look and feel of 1944 Germany. I praise the set design, costumes and make up for creating a very realistic wartime Europe.

When the 42nd attempt on Hitler’s life goes awry, Hitler suffers injuries to his left arm and legs, but survives the explosion. The conspirators are held accountable; one is imprisoned, the rest are killed, including Stauffenberg, the youngest colonel of the German army at that time. A few months later, the war ended. Hitler is said to have committed suicide. Stauffenberg’s wife and children survived the war.
If successful, operation Valkyrie could have rewritten history on July 20, 1944.

Tom Cruise … Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg
Kenneth Branagh … Major-General Henning von Tresckow
Bill Nighy … General Friedrich Olbricht
Tom Wilkinson … General Friedrich Fromm
Carice van Houten … Nina von Stauffenberg
Thomas Kretschmann … Major Otto Ernst Remer
Terence Stamp … Ludwig Beck
Eddie Izzard … General Erich Fellgiebel
Kevin McNally … Dr. Carl Goerdeler
Christian Berkel … Colonel Mertz von Quirnheim
Andy Gatjen … Angry SS Officer
Jamie Parker … Lieutenant Werner von Haeften
David Bamber … Adolf Hitler

***Valkyrie are from Norse mythology, winged decision makers of life and death. The film poster is fitting, where Cruise stands center and the bodies of his co stars almost give him wings.

This is not a picture you should watch with your talkative drinking buddies. What is said, matters. I enjoyed the film. I learned something new. Valkyrie deserves three Chinny Bini paws.