Watch Operation Valkyrie: The Plot to Kill Hitler

Operation Valkyrie: The Plot to Kill Hitler is a historical drama film that tells the story of the failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler during World War II. The film takes place in Nazi Germany, where a group of high-ranking military officials, including Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, hatches a plan to kill Hitler and overthrow his regime.

The movie begins with Colonel von Stauffenberg arriving in Berlin, where he is assigned to work in the high command of the German army. He is initially hesitant to participate in any resistance against Hitler, but as he witnesses the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime, he becomes convinced that he must act to try and stop them.

The bulk of the movie centers around the planning and execution of Operation Valkyrie, the code name for the plot to assassinate Hitler. Von Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators strategize how to get close enough to Hitler to plant a bomb that will kill him, as well as how to use the military's emergency plan, also called Operation Valkyrie, to take over the government once Hitler is dead.

The tension of the film is ratcheted up as the conspirators encounter setbacks and obstacles in their plan, such as Hitler changing his schedule at the last minute, and difficulties in getting the bomb into the meeting room where Hitler will be. But despite these setbacks, the conspirators press on, driven by their conviction that they must do everything they can to try and stop the madness of the Nazi regime.

While the focus of the movie is on the assassination plot, we also get some glimpses into the personal lives of the conspirators. We see von Stauffenberg's relationship with his wife and children, as well as the strained dynamic between some of the other officers involved in the plot. These personal details help to humanize the characters and give the audience a sense of the high stakes involved in the assassination attempt.

The film is well-cast, with Tom Cruise giving a strong performance as von Stauffenberg. Despite some initial skepticism around his casting in the role, Cruise manages to convey the seriousness and conviction of the character, and sells the intensity of the situation. The supporting cast is also excellent, with notable performances by Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, and Tom Wilkinson.

Operation Valkyrie: The Plot to Kill Hitler is a tense and gripping portrayal of one of the most daring attempts to stop the Nazi regime from within. The film balances the intensity of the assassination plot with moments of humanity and personal struggle, making the characters feel real and relatable. The historical accuracy of the film has been questioned in some circles, but regardless of any minor inaccuracies, the movie is a powerful testament to the individuals who risked their lives to try and stop one of the greatest evils in human history.

Operation Valkyrie: The Plot to Kill Hitler is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 48 minutes.