The Downfall

Due to its popularity, Hitler’s regime is a subject that to most is a very simple topic to write about, in reality however it is one of the hardest subjects to portray with just words. Growing up, I had read many novels and stories about Hitler’s regime and the Holocaust to help me understand why such an event took place. Watching a film such as “Downfall” however, was a completely different experience than any novel or article that I had ever read on this matter. Our door to this sealed world is opened through the eyes of Traudl Junge into the two weeks at the bunker. She is a sweet, caring and a very loyal secretary to her “Fuhrer” (leader) Adolf Hitler. In the very beginning of the film, the real Traudl speaks of her journeys through this time and how difficult it is to forgive her younger self for accepting to be the secretary of such an evil icon. You can see true sorrow in Traudl’s eyes as she is expressing her feelings towards her actions when speaking in the beginning of the film. Even though she had no political decision and did not directly bring harm to any individual, she is still very stricken about being a part of this whole regime.

Emotions and facial expressions are very difficult to portray in a novel. It is now evident to me why such a film should be seen by everyone. This was a truly remarkable experience, where the viewer actually feels like they are a part of the scene. In almost everyone’s eyes, Adolf Hitler was a ruthless, emotionless, and evil dictator. It’s no question that his actions were of a lunatic. However, not everyone knew his true personality and putting his corruptness aside, he was still a human being who loved and in his mind “cared” for his country and its citizens. The film and the actor do a magnificent job at portraying that bipolar personality which Hitler possessed. The film’s main observation was of the world within the bunker which was run completely by Hitler himself and his blindly loyal lieutenants. His...