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The Plot to Kill Hitler by Lawrence Schiller
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DVD detailsActor: Brad Davis, Ian Richardson, Kenneth Colley, Madolyn Smith Osborne, Michael Byrne Director: Lawrence Schiller Brand: Warner Brothers Cinematographer: Freddie Francis Editor: Bernard Gribble Producer: Alfred R. Kelman Producer: Bernard Sofronski Producer: David L. Wolper Producer: Mark Wolper Writer: Steven Elkins DVD: Region Code 1 Audio: English (Original Language) Format: Color, DVD, NTSC Picture Format: 1.33:1 Running Time: 94 minutes DVD Release Date: 2009-01-06 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Reviews of The Plot to Kill HitlerDVD Review: Wow,i just found out this was released onto dvd!!! Summary: 5 StarsI recorded this when it orginally aired on t.v. i still have the vhs copy,even used it in my history class....wow this film will be in my movie collection.
DVD Review: Dave Summary: 3 StarsA very good film depicting how there were Germans who did not agree with what Hitler was doing and their actions in attempting to stop the carnage. A very good film worth watching.
DVD Review: An Accurate Version--Should Have Been on the Big Screen! Summary: 5 StarsI ordered this DVD from Germany after seeing the Cruise version in the movie theatre. I rarely go to see films on the big screen, but having been filmed partly in Berlin, which I am very familiar with, I wanted to see what United Artists, Singer, Cruise et al. did with the available settings. I was not disappointed in that respect. However, Brad Davis and the cast on this film do an excellent job--very true to the history, this begins with an encounter between Stauffenberg and Rommel--whereas the General in the UA version is "mythical." As we all know, Rommel was killed for suspected involvement long after he oversaw the Atlantic Wall defenses, was severely injured, and went back to Germany to recuperate and celebrate his wife's birthday. Manfred Rommel appears in documentaries telling this story--and it is a sad one, as Rommel has been "recuperated" as a German hero as has Stauffenberg.
I strongly recommend this version as opposed to the 1950s German versions, which are a bit stiff. The German DVD from Amazon.de included not only the English soundtrack and English subtitles, but as is not unusualy, about 14 other languages in sound and subtitle, so is very useful for language students as well. These are much better buys for the dollar (or euro), as are often UK DVDs. If Davis' wearing of white rather than the Reserve Army rose color piping is incorrect or can be overlooked, it is a minor detail.
Thus, as with the Associate Professor, go with this version if you are interested in the history of the resistance itself. There were over 40 attempts on Adolf's life--if only others were so well documented the average international view of Germans and Germany would be more accurate.
DVD Review: Better than Expected Summary: 4 StarsThis 1990 movie was better than I expected. Video and audio quality of the DVD were outstanding and the plot held my interest throughout. Acting and production values were all quite good, despite the absence of big-name stars. Brad Davis as Col. von Stauffenberg and Madolyn Smith as his wife Nina are convincing in their tragic parts. Mike Gwilym also does a fine job playing the monster, Adolph Hitler.
Yes, as other reviewers have said, the show does have the feel of a made-for-TV production and there are a few historical flaws. Producers were the Wolpers and that can't be all bad. They did produce other things like "Roots" and "The Thornbirds," as well as some outstanding war documentaries. European filming was done in Yugoslavia which lends an authentic aura throughout. As noted above, video quality was extremely good, making me think the movie was re-mastered somehow. I found no graininess, dropouts, or other problems with the video. It's really first rate all the way.
It would have been nice to see a little more of the late Ian Richardson, one of my favorite actors. Nevertheless, he plays Gen. Beck who didn't have a major part in the story due to ill health. Also, a recent documentary piece on the subject would have been nice to add to "Special Features." Still, the movie covers an important topic--efforts by brave Germans to rid themselves of Hitler. This may have saved the country from being totally dismantled after the war.
A useful touch at the end was to credit Stauffenberg with having several streets and other public places named after him in post-war Germany. Although not popular right after the war, it may be seen now as a just tribute to a courageous, patriotic man. Those of us with German blood in our veins can take solace from this.
I haven't seen the new movie with Tom Cruise playing Stauffenberg but intend to do so after seeing, "The Plot to Kill Hitler." Let's hope when the DVD appears it will have Special Features which add to our understanding of why the plot failed. It's been estimated that 10 million more people died because of that.
--Jim Wheeler, Tucson, Arizona
DVD Review: The Plot To Kill Hitler Summary: 3 StarsI just so the Tom Cruise movie on this Christmas day of 2008. I in all honesty this made for TV movie was a bit better done. Brad Davis seemed to bring more depth to Von Staufenberg than did Cruise. So I would give this 3 stars and Valkyrie 2 and a half.
Description of The Plot to Kill Hitler"The Plot to Kill Hitler" is a historical recreation of the 1944 attempt by several German High Command Officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and take control of the German government. Lead by Wehrmacht Colonel Count von Staufenberg, this group of brave men managed to plant a bomb in Hitler's battlefield headquarters. By sheer luck, Hitler survived the blast and the SS quickly arrested and executed all those involved in the affair.
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