Valkyrie Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Tom Cruise joins a book club with some disgruntled army dudes, they decide the mean book club leader needs to go, but a lucky table leg ruins their fun.

🍿 Valkyrie: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Seeds of Discontent

The film opens in 1943, with Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg serving in North Africa. Disgusted by the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime, Stauffenberg and other high-ranking officers begin to plot against Hitler. Stauffenberg is severely wounded in an Allied attack, losing an eye and a hand, further fueling his resolve to take action.

Operation Valkyrie

Upon returning to Germany, Stauffenberg joins the German Resistance. They devise a plan to use Operation Valkyrie, a contingency plan for maintaining order in case of a national emergency, to seize control of the government after Hitler’s assassination. Stauffenberg is tasked with planting a bomb at Hitler’s headquarters.

The Failed Assassination

On July 20, 1944, Stauffenberg plants a bomb at a meeting attended by Hitler. The bomb detonates, but Hitler survives the blast. Despite the uncertainty, Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators initiate Operation Valkyrie, attempting to seize control of Berlin.

The Coup Collapses

News of Hitler’s survival spreads, and the coup begins to unravel. Loyal forces regain control, and the conspirators are rounded up. Stauffenberg and several other key figures are executed for their involvement in the plot.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise): A German officer who becomes the central figure in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler and overthrow the Nazi regime.
• General Friedrich Olbricht (Bill Nighy): A high-ranking general who supports the resistance and helps Stauffenberg implement Operation Valkyrie.
• Nina von Stauffenberg (Carice van Houten): Claus von Stauffenberg’s wife, who is aware of her husband’s activities and supports his cause.
• Major-General Henning von Tresckow (Kenneth Branagh): A key figure in the German resistance who initially attempts to assassinate Hitler and later recruits Stauffenberg.
• General Friedrich Fromm (Tom Wilkinson): The commander of the Reserve Army, whose cooperation is essential for the success of Operation Valkyrie but remains ambivalent to the plot.
• Major Otto Ernst Remer (Thomas Kretschmann): A Reserve Army officer who initially supports the coup but ultimately thwarts it after directly communicating with Hitler.
• General Ludwig Beck (Terence Stamp): A high-ranking general and key member of the conspiracy against Hitler.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Col. Claus von Stauffenberg: “I have been searching for you.” – Stauffenberg says this to General Olbricht upon indicating his willingness to join the resistance.
• Col. Claus von Stauffenberg: “Long live sacred Germany!” – Stauffenberg’s defiant final words before being executed by firing squad.
• General Ludwig Beck: “The moment for action has arrived. The hour for half-measures is past. Devotion to a misguided ideal is not loyalty. It is complicity.” – Beck emphasizes the urgency and moral imperative to act against Hitler’s regime to Stauffenberg.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $75,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $83,077,833
• Worldwide Gross: $201,545,517

💥 Valkyrie Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Valkyrie’ in theaters and being on the edge of my seat, even though I knew the ending! The tension Singer created was incredible, and the supporting cast was phenomenal. It was a great introduction to this historical event for me, and it sparked my interest in learning more about the German resistance. I was captivated during the assassination attempt scene, hoping they pull through. I was really impressed by the movie’s dedication to historical accuracy.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in World War II stories”
  • “Those who appreciate suspenseful thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence”
  • “Brief scenes of graphic injury”
  • “Mature themes related to Nazism”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “While historically accurate, ‘Valkyrie’ feels strangely detached. The pacing is deliberate, building tension, but it lacks emotional resonance. Cruise delivers a solid performance, but the supporting cast shines, grounding the film in a sense of grim reality.
• Variety: “Bryan Singer crafts a suspenseful thriller from a well-known historical event. ‘Valkyrie’ benefits from a strong ensemble cast and meticulous attention to detail. While Cruise’s performance has its detractors, the film succeeds in creating a tense and engaging cinematic experience.
• New York Times: “Despite the familiarity of the plot, ‘Valkyrie’ manages to generate suspense. Singer’s direction is efficient, and the film’s visual style is impressive. However, the lack of depth in character development prevents it from achieving true greatness.

Audience Reactions

The suspenseful direction kept viewers engaged despite knowing the historical outcome.: Most viewers praised the film’s ability to build tension and maintain a gripping atmosphere throughout the story.

Viewers appreciated the strong performances from the supporting cast, adding depth and credibility to the story.: The ensemble cast was widely praised for their solid performances, making the characters believable and adding gravitas to the film.

Overall Consensus: ‘Valkyrie’ is a well-crafted historical thriller that delivers suspense and tension, despite its widely known outcome. While some criticize the casting choices, the film is generally praised for its direction, historical accuracy, and strong supporting performances.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The filmmakers aimed for historical accuracy, filming at many of the actual locations where the events took place, including the Bendlerblock in Berlin, where the conspirators were executed.”
• “To avoid potential political backlash, the film was initially met with resistance in Germany. Permission to film at certain locations was initially denied but later granted.”
• “The production team used nearly thirty historically correct original teleprinter machines in the “central communications center” scenes, printing authentic archival messages from the Nazi era.”

🖥️ How to Watch Valkyrie?

Valkyrie is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV, where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check your local listings for cable TV availability. You can also purchase the film on DVD and Blu-ray from major retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Valkyrie, you might like these similar films:

• Downfall (2004): Offers a contrasting, German perspective on the final days of Hitler and his regime, providing a broader historical context to the events depicted in Valkyrie.
• The Imitation Game (2014): Focuses on a group of brilliant individuals working in secret during World War II to overcome a seemingly insurmountable challenge, mirroring the covert nature and high stakes of the Valkyrie plot.
• Argo (2012): A thrilling story about a daring and improbable mission to rescue Americans in Iran, highlighting the courage and ingenuity required in covert operations under extreme pressure.
• Seven Days in May (1964): Explores the themes of military conspiracy and political intrigue within a nation, mirroring the tension and high stakes of Valkyrie’s plot to overthrow Hitler.

🛒 Valkyrie Related Products

• Valkyrie Limited Edition Blu-Ray: A limited edition Blu-Ray with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, director’s commentary, and collectible artwork. A must-have for fans and collectors.
• Operation Valkyrie: The German Generals’ Plot Against Hitler: An in-depth historical account of the July 20th plot, providing detailed insights into the motivations and strategies of the conspirators.
• World War II German Officer Figure: Highly detailed action figure of a German officer from WWII. Perfect for collectors and history enthusiasts.
• Valkyrie Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or office.

🎧 Soundtrack

Valkyrie features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “They’ll Remember You” – performed by John Ottman and Lior Rosner
• “The Plot” – performed by John Ottman
• “Long Live Sacred Germany” – performed by John Ottman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Cinematic Accuracy of Hitler’s Smoking Aversion in “Valkyrie” – #shorts #shorts

Did you know Hitler despised smoking? This intriguing video uncovers the historical accuracy behind this detail in the movie ‘Valkyrie’. Take a quick watch to find out why this fact matters.

WW2 Historian James Holland Breaks Down World War 2 Movies

Curious about the historical accuracy of war movies? This in-depth analysis by historian James Holland will fascinate you. He breaks down iconic scenes from ‘Downfall’ and other films, exploring their historical significance. Don’t miss it!

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