Downfall - German Surrender in Berlin

Title:

Description:

Here’s a scene from the 2004 German Film “Downfall” (“Der Untergang”). Hitler is dead and the Battle for Berlin is over, though many choose not to accept it.

Traudl Junge, Hitler’s last secretary, has escaped his underground fortified bunker and flees the war torn city of Berlin. Through her eyes we witness Hitler and his inner circle’s dramatic final days; the most intense display being their mass suicides. Their pride and unwillingness to accept defeat, and I would say their fear of being held accountable for their actions, led them and many high ranking officials (even civilians) to commit suicide.

Young Peter Kranz, member of the Hitler Youth and Volksturm draftee has survived intense street fighting and witnessed Nazi fanaticism first hand. He personifies an indoctrinated child soldier manipulated by mass Nazi propaganda. He is Emboldened by staunch, faithful SS soldiers and encouraged to fight simply by being given no other choice. He soon realizes the hopelessness of their defense and abandons his post. He returns home, but discovers his parents have been killed by German Greifkommando squads.

This climactic scene brings these two characters together for the first time in the film. Both have struggled through  different but intense experiences; building tension the entire movie culminating with coming face to face with Russian soldiers.

I think their desperate attempt to just walk past the Russians as a non combatants after everything they’ve gone through is an unexpected release of all the tension.

This film clip is being used strictly for educational purposes. Viewer discretion is advised.

YouTube url:	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7Ae-D7WiBo
Created:	7. 5. 2021 14:25:48

CaptionsMaker.com

Downfall - German Surrender in Berlin