Directed by Ennio De Concini
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Legend Films)
Accepting Alec Guinness as Adolf Hitler, with his distinctive accent only partially suppressed, is a major obstacle to overcome in the enjoyment of this film. It took at least an hour for my suspension of disbelief to kick in, but once it did I was very impressed with Guinness in a most difficult role. It takes place almost entirely in the confines of a Berlin concrete bunker, where Hitler, his highest officers and a few women and children come to the gradual realization that Germany is losing the war. While chaos reigns outside, they enjoy lavish meals, fine drink, music and dancing. After it becomes apparent Hitler's military options are over, he plans a mass suicide in the bunker. Most accept this with pride as their final patriotic duty, even when it applies to children, while we watch with disgust and horror. It's not all grim, though, with a bit of irony and humor for the ending.
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