Overview
Witness the unraveling of a dictator as the world around him collapses into chaos.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- oppressive
- harrowing
- bleak
- historical film night
- serious viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Downfall as an illuminating, thoughtful, detailed, and tormentingly vivid account of Hitler’s final days, led by Bruno Ganz’s acclaimed performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hitler, his secretary, and Nazi officials remain concentrated in the Berlin bunker while Soviet forces devastate the city above.
Bruno Ganz’s Hitler is shown in intimate domestic and command scenes while retaining his contempt for the German people and commitment to annihilation.
The bunker leadership cycles through denial, orders, betrayal, and despair as Berlin falls and the war becomes unwinnable.
Traudl Junge, soldiers, civilians, and Nazi officials provide contrasting perspectives on the final days and the destruction aboveground.
Films like Downfall, and why
The Pianist
historical war drama focused on civilian and military collapse during world war ii, with an intimate, psychologically severe perspective
The Zone of Interest
acclaimed world war ii drama portraying moral catastrophe, ideological fanaticism, and the destruction of a European city
Valkyrie
historical war drama centered on the final days of a Nazi regime and the psychological pressures of defeat
The Last King of Scotland
claustrophobic historical drama about authoritarian power, institutional collapse, and the human cost of fascism
Movie Details
- Director
- Oliver Hirschbiegel
- Release Date
- 2004-09-16
- Runtime
- 155 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (4475)
Cast
- Bruno Ganz
- Alexandra Maria Lara
- Corinna Harfouch
- Ulrich Matthes
- Juliane Köhler
- Heino Ferch
- Christian Berkel
- Thomas Kretschmann
- Ulrich Noethen
- Birgit Minichmayr
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Downfall about?
- As Berlin collapses in April 1945, a bunker-bound dictatorship confronts military defeat, ideological delusion, and the consequences of its own ruin.
- What is Downfall like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Downfall as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Downfall violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Downfall as graphic.
- What did critics think of Downfall?
- Critics broadly regard Downfall as an illuminating, thoughtful, detailed, and tormentingly vivid account of Hitler’s final days, led by Bruno Ganz’s acclaimed performance.
- Which films are like Downfall?
- Films with a similar feel include The Pianist, The Zone of Interest, Valkyrie, and The Last King of Scotland.
- How long is Downfall?
- Downfall runs 155 minutes.
- Where can I watch Downfall?
- In United States, Downfall streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
