Valkyrie (2008) – The Plot to Kill Hitler That Almost Changed History
Movies like this are important to understand our past. The first time I saw Valkyrie, it made a lasting impression. One scene, in particular, is absolutely epic. A major comes to arrest Goebbels (Nazi propaganda minister). Goebbels is prepared to die—he has his poison ready so he won't be arrested. The major enters the room and Goebbels asks him one question: "Are you a true National Socialist?" When the major answers yes, Goebbels hands him the phone. And then he hears it—the voice of Hitler. One phone call. One simple voice. And that was enough to change everything.
Rewatching this movie reminded me of one of the most important historical events. And how some figures in history were so powerful that just with their voice, they could change the course of action and history.
The Plot: A Desperate Plan to Save Germany
Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) serves Germany with loyalty and pride. But he fears that Hitler will destroy his country if allowed to run unchecked. Time is running out for Germany and the rest of Europe.
Von Stauffenberg joins a group of like-minded, high-ranking German army officers—desperate renegades who want to overthrow the Nazi regime from within. Their plan is codenamed Operation Valkyrie. Originally designed as an emergency plan to maintain order in case of a national crisis, they intend to use it to take control of the country after assassinating Hitler.
With everything he holds dear in the balance, von Stauffenberg becomes the trigger man. He plants a bomb in Hitler's headquarters. Then, he waits. The explosion happens. But Hitler survives. And the coup unravels in a matter of hours.
The Themes: Duty, Conscience, and the Cost of Resistance
This movie is about moral courage. These men knew they would be executed if they failed. Many of them had families. They did it anyway because they believed it was the right thing to do.
It's also about how evil can be so powerful that just the voice of one man can command absolute obedience. The major that came to arrest Goebbels hears Hitler's voice on the phone and immediately abandons his orders. That single moment shows the psychological grip the Führer had on Germany.
And finally, it's about how close history came to changing. The bomb went off. Hitler survived by pure chance—a heavy oak table leg blocked the blast. Had that table leg not been there, World War II might have ended earlier, and millions of lives might have been saved.
The Biggest Criticism: Tom Cruise's Accent
The most common criticism of this film is Tom Cruise's accent. He plays a German colonel but speaks with his natural American accent. For some viewers, this is distracting. They argue that either the whole cast should have used German accents or none of them should have. Cruise's performance is solid, but the accent choice feels inconsistent.
That said, the film's tension, historical accuracy (in most major beats), and supporting cast—including Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp, and Tom Wilkinson—make up for it.
The Ratings and Box Office
- IMDb: 7.1/10 (from 274,000 users)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 62% Critics / 65% Audience
- Budget/Box Office: $75–90 million budget, $201.5 million worldwide
Critics were mixed—some praised the tension and historical detail, others found Cruise's casting distracting. Audiences were similarly divided, giving it a 65%. But commercially, it was a success, grossing over $200 million worldwide.
Final Verdict: A Tense, Important Historical Thriller
My rating is 8 out of 10. Valkyrie is a tense, well-crafted historical thriller about one of the most daring resistance plots of World War II. It shows that not all Germans supported Hitler—and that some paid the ultimate price to try to stop him. The final scenes, showing the executions of the conspirators, are heartbreaking.
Recommendation: If you enjoy historical dramas about World War II or political thrillers, this is a must-watch. Just don't expect Tom Cruise to sound German.
What did you think of Valkyrie? Does Cruise's accent bother you, or can you look past it? Let me know in the comments!
And suggest a movie for my next review! I'm in the mood for another historical drama or war film.
If you enjoyed this review, please share to support the blog. Thanks for reading—see you in the next one!
