Valkyrie

Valkyrie: Often times I have a seen a movie with an all star cast that falls flat (Silverado to name just one) and that is a true waste of talent and resources. You will be happy to know that Valkyrie is not one of them! Tom Cruise leads a true all star (I should say all acting cast) including Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branaugh, Terrance Stamp and Eddie Izzard through this fascinating true story.
Valkyrie is the name given to a set of orders that would go into effect if the Chancellor (Hitler) were killed. The order mobilizes the reserve army and the SS to secure Berlin and end any impending civil unrest. After several failed attempts to assassinate Hitler, the anti-Hitler movement enlists Colonel Claus von Stauffenburg. Stauffenburg is introduced as an outspoken officer in a war that he knows Germany will lose. He comes up with the idea of re-writing Valkyrie to exclude the SS. This frees up Stauffenburg and his cohorts to blame the SS for Hitler's death and therefore gain control of the reserve army and the central government.
Even though it is a true story and we know that Stauffenburg and his crew were not successful (Hitler killed himself 9 months after the Valkyrie story takes place), you will still be glued to the screen waiting to see how they plan on pulling it off and how close they came to succeeding.
It is hard to root for somewhere wearing a Nazi uniform but I suppose that one of the points is that not all Germans were Nazi's. That much is certain. The group that Stauffenburg is enlisted into is not only high ranking military officers but elder statesmen that just couldn't stomach what Hitler was doing and violence was the only option they were left with. Eliminate Hitler and make peace with the allies.
One actor that has a small part but seems to really stand out in a movie is the German actor Thomas Kretschmann(he is the field commander of the reserve army) who has appeared in Next, King Kong, The Pianist, U-571 and Blade II. His resume is made, for the most part, of German and foreign films. His is not well known to American audiences and that is a shame. He brings a screen presence to the screen similar to that of Paul Henried (Casablanca) - suave and intense.
Even if you are not a Tom Cruise fan (I have trouble finding any these days), you cannot deny he often makes great movie choices and churns out some quality work. Like him or not, he can carry this kind of movie easily. Don't let him keep you from seeing this movie.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)