Comments on: Guest DVD Review: Downfall

By: The Moderate Voice » Blog Archive » Guest DVD Review (Part III): Downfall

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 08:34:51 +0000

[...] NOTE: The Moderate Voice publishes posts by guest writers from time to time. This is the FINAL part of a three part review written by Dan Schneider of the movie Downfall. PART ONE IS HERE. PART TWO IS HERE. As in the case with our Guest Posts, views expressed reflect the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice. By Dan Schneider [...]

By: The Moderate Voice » Blog Archive » Guest DVD Review (Part II): Downfall

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 00:45:03 +0000

[...] NOTE: The Moderate Voice publishes posts by guest writers from time to time. This is the second part of a THREE PART review written by Dan Schneider of the movie Downfall. PART ONE IS HERE. As in the case with our Guest Posts, views expressed reflect the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice. [...]

By: cosmoetica

cosmoetica — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 01:18:45 +0000

I think Paths Of Glory is a much better film than Grand Illusion. Renoir’s film is a good solid film, but the barracks scenes pale, and seem to prefigure Hogan’s Heroes. Paths is just a gut rencher from start to end. Plus, Kirk Douglas kicks fuckin’ ass!

By: Jason Shapiro

Jason Shapiro — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 15:44:19 +0000

Thanks Dean, I’ll have to check out this movie. As for other excellent films of this genre, don’t forget Renoir’s “Le Grande Illusion”, and the often overlooked “For King and Country.” The latter somewhat echoes “Paths of Glory” but is still a powerful statement. Interesting that “Thin Red Line” was released around the same time as “Pvt. Ryan” and got a fraction of the publicity even though it’s a MUCH, MUCH better movie.

By: joec

joec — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:57:17 +0000

A great performance by Ganz. He really stands out in this one.
Another memorable acting of Hitler is by Derek Jacobi in a television adaptation of Albert Speer’s “Inside the Third Reich.” Even though it aired nearly twenty years ago, I still remember the standout performances of Rutger Hauer as Speer, John Gielgud as Speer’s father, Ian Holm as Goebells, and others.
Two more great war films immediately come to mind, in addition to the above mentioned “Apocalypse Now”–Kubrick’s “Paths of Glory,” and Lewis Milestone’s adaptation of “All Quiet on the Western Front.” Even though the latter was made in 1930, it holds up surprisingly well today.