Tom Cruise Speaks German: Valkyrie Not Your ‘Typical Hollywood Tale’ – Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany
This review of Tom Cruise’s newly released film Valkyrie from Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung is not only a good way to get an idea of the quality of the film, it’s a fascinating sociological study as well.After all, Cruise is not a popular figure in Germany due to his adherence to Scientology – which Berlin considers a dangerous sect and has tried to stamp out. But on the other hand, by shining a light on a German icon who opposed Hitler and Nazism, Cruise is in effect giving Germans a public-relations boost many in that nation have wanted badly for decades.
For Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Tobias Kniebe writes in part: “This isn’t your typical Hollywood tale. Tom Cruise in Germany, portraying a German hero? … That’s something that takes some getting used to. …
Measured in terms of all the things the film was accused of and all that could have gone wrong, one can almost call it a triumph. … Hollywood has never taken such a thoroughly German issue as seriously as it has with this opulent, logistical cinematographic effort.”
By Tobias Kniebe
Translated By Ulf Behncke
December 15, 2008
Germany – Sueddeutsche Zeitung – Original Article (German)
The first voices in the film are German. A company of male voices, bellowing their oath of allegiance to Adolf Hitler: “I swear by God this sacred oath that I shall render unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler, the Führer of the German Reich and people …” A rich, deep red fills the screen, then the word Walküre, which slowly transforms into the English Valkyrie. The red, as is turns out when the camera moves back, is that of a swastika-bearing flag.Then another voice speaks German: In the Anglo-American version of the movie, in order to do a voice-over for an entry into Stauffenberg’s diary, Tom Cruise himself learned the language: the nation, he says, needs a violent overthrow. Only then does the movie fade into English. This is Hollywood’s attempt to lead the audience into the story – a story that’s not your typical Hollywood tale. Tom Cruise in Germany, portraying a German hero? … That’s something that takes some getting used to.
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2 Responses to “Tom Cruise Speaks German: Valkyrie Not Your ‘Typical Hollywood Tale’ – Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Germany”
I didn't realize that so few people knew that there had been German resistance to the Reich and at least one plot to kill Hitler.
Most critics think Cruise’s performance was mediocre, and some even think it ruined the film. So much for the glory days of “Top Gun” and “Mission: Impossible.” I don’t know if I’ll be seeing the film or not. I love that they made a movie about an assassination attempt on Hitler, but I’ll be really disappointed if it makes a mockery of such important, serious subject matter. I know Tom Cruise will never need a payday loan. But if he ever wanted to apply for one just for fun, you know, to see how the other half lives, he better do it while he still has a payday coming up.
For more about why Cruise’s paydays might be coming to an end, check out this article on the payday loan blog.