A good cinematic production with the typical technical and economic limitations of this type of TV production. The well-crafted film doesn't excel in any of its aspects and also assumes facts that have never been proven as such. In fact, none of the survivors from the last days in the bunker have stated clearly having seen the faces of the lifeless bodies of the dictator and his wife. The film leaves no room for doubt by showing them explicitly, and this is certainly something incorrect. The film is plagued with various errors, both in costume design, imprecision in terms of uniforms, and a too modern portrayal of civilian attire. The bunker itself doesn't faithfully replicate the original; in fact, there was no spiral staircase as depicted in the film.
While the actors are convincing in their respective roles, they don't excel and fail to convey the drama of those tragic moments. Even Hopkins, despite being believable, doesn't reach the standards of some of his other performances. Comparing Hopkins' performance with the more recent one by Bruno Ganz in the film on the same subject titled "Der Untergang," there's no comparison.
Hopkins' portrayal of Hitler, compared to Ganz's, certainly falls short and makes this remake a necessary and, I would say, definitive film on this subject.
While the actors are convincing in their respective roles, they don't excel and fail to convey the drama of those tragic moments. Even Hopkins, despite being believable, doesn't reach the standards of some of his other performances. Comparing Hopkins' performance with the more recent one by Bruno Ganz in the film on the same subject titled "Der Untergang," there's no comparison.
Hopkins' portrayal of Hitler, compared to Ganz's, certainly falls short and makes this remake a necessary and, I would say, definitive film on this subject.