DER UNTERGANG

Last night I saw the film Der Untergang (Downfall) again. It's a brilliant portrayal of the almost surreal last few days of the second world war, as Hitler and his closest aides stay in the bunker underneath the Chancellery, while the Russian forces steadily tighten their grip on Berlin.

The situation is hopeless, but the Nazi elite refuse to surrender. Champagne mixes with shellfire. Hitler moves imaginary armies around on the map, sends out orders that can't be carried out, calmly discusses plans for the future when he knows he will soon be dead. Former comrades Goering and Himmler, who are trying to do deals with the Allies, are condemned as traitors. S.S. death squads hunt down and murder anybody who is not fighting, including the man married to Eva Braun's sister. In the last days, Hitler finally marries his long-term mistress, before committing suicide with her. Goebbels takes over and tries to impose terms on the Russians, who reject them. Goebbels' wife kills their six children in their sleep, before the parents commit suicide.

It's a compelling film, with brilliant acting. Notably by Ulrich Matthes as a clearly insane Goebbels, and Bruno Ganz as the dominating, ranting, and curiously tender Hitler.

Walter Blotscher