The 'insane' World War 2 film 'masterpiece' that's 'the finest ever made'

There are plenty of films about World War 2, but only a few stand out. Some fail to capture the reality of the conflict, while others go on to become powerful, unforgettable dramas. But there's one movie that may have flown under the radar since its release in 2004, which viewers are now calling "a masterpiece" and "the finest ever made" about the war.

Downfall, a German-language film released in 2004, tells the story of Adolf Hitler's final days inside his bunker in Berlin. It stars Bruno Ganz as Hitler and is based on eyewitness accounts, including those of Traudl Junge, Hitler's personal secretary. The film shows the collapse of Nazi Germany during the Battle of Berlin in intense detail, without offering any commentary or judgement.

The film has since become somewhat of a critical and commercial success, grossing over $92 million (£69m) worldwide and earning an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

But it's the response from viewers that has led many to revisit it and call it one of the most powerful portrayals of World War 2 ever put on screen.

One viewer, who teaches a college course on World War 2 and has interviewed survivors, said: "This film comes out on top, perhaps the finest ever made on the subject of the war."

He watched it with two veterans, one American, one German, and described their reaction. "The German, who met Hitler several times, within minutes was exclaiming over the historical accuracy, right down to Hitler's lower class Munich accent."

He added: "My German friend, who at the end of the war was in East Prussia, was profoundly shaken by the film. The horror, the hospital scenes, the utter chaos, the lynchings, the sight of 12-year-old children fighting, all of it was real.

"It truly was 'Götterdämmerung' for an entire nation and this film brings it frightfully close to you."

Another viewer wrote: "This film definitely is a must-see because of the incomparable degree of realism. Direction, camera and acting are of an unparalleled level and make you feel as if you are actually in Berlin, 1945."

They added: "The film is criticised because it gives the Nazis a human face, but this is exactly its strongest point, the Nazis were not extraterrestrial monsters, they were as human as you and I."

A third reviewer called it "the most impressive, depressive and realistic dramatic movie about the Second World War ever made." Another described it simply as "a masterpiece."

Some were particularly struck by the portrayal of Hitler's inner circle. "The image of Hitler crying of sorrow because all is lost is still burned on my retina," one said.

Another added: "I have never seen a film picturing the insanity of Hitler in his very last days in a bunker in Berlin like this."

Others praised the accuracy. "I lived in Berlin and have studied this period extensively. This film gets everything right, from uniforms and dialects to the set design and psychology."

While Downfall sparked debate for showing Hitler's human side, many believe this only adds to the film's impact. "This is what makes it terrifying," one viewer said. "He was human, and look what he did."

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 90% approval rating. The website calls it "an illuminating, thoughtful and detailed account of Hitler's last days." On Metacritic, it holds a score of 82 out of 100 and is listed as "must-see".

Despite its age, Downfall continues to resonate. A new 4K version was released in Germany last year, and the extended edition, which adds more scenes from the Berlin ruins and inside the bunker, remains available on DVD.

Another incredible war film worth watching is Guy Ritchie's The Covenant, which is now on Amazon Prime.