More than a lesson from Germany

Ona 2022-04-20 09:01:12

The documentary film Der Untergang (2004), directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, is based on real historical figures, Hitler's secretary Traudl Junge ) from the perspective of Hitler's last twelve days and the fall of Nazi Germany. The film adopts the method of line drawing, basically zero rendering, but the appeal and shock to the audience is still obvious. Watching this kind of historical film "seeing his building collapse" should be more relaxed or even refreshing than "seeing him rise from a high-rise building", but it is not. Heavy thinking about war, politics, and human nature arises spontaneously. The scene of Mrs. Goebbels calmly poisoning her six children one by one and then committing suicide is silent and trembling. People of his level have been brainwashed to this point, and the autocratic "magic" is evident!

Hitler took advantage of the populist sentiments spread by the Germans after the defeat of World War I to reach the top of power, and acted against humanity in the far-left face of "National Socialism" (that is, Nazi NAZI). It can be said that this lesson is not only for the Germans It should be reflected and learned from, and it is also worth thinking and remembering forever by people all over the world. This most filthy act of using other people's lives to realize one's own ideals can be said to be found in every country. As far as his heterosexuality is concerned, the following revelations can be drawn from it: First, some people with artistic (or romantic) temperament who are not in character and ability, if they go to the top position, may cause great harm to the country. Second, likewise, some people who have few personal hobbies, if they go to the top positions, can be bad to the extreme. Because there is no hobby, doing bad things is more "pure", more "concentrated", and less humane.

View more about Downfall reviews

Extended Reading

Downfall quotes

  • Adolf Hitler: [Screaming after Steiner didn't attack after giving an order] Traitors! I've been betrayed and deceived from the very beginning! What a monstrous betrayal of the German people, but all those traitors will pay. They'll pay with their own blood. They shall drown in their own blood!

  • Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel: The Führer has lost all sense of reality.

    Generaloberst Alfred Jodl: He moves divisions that only exist on his map. Steiner's scattered unit can hardly defend itself and yet, Steiner is ordered to attack! It's pure madness!

    SS-Gruppenführer Hermann Fegelein: Then why don't you tell him yourself?

    Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel: He won't listen to reason. You should know that.

    SS-Gruppenführer Hermann Fegelein: Something must be done.

    Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel: Are you insane? We'll be thrown out like Rundstedt and Guderian!

    SS-Gruppenführer Hermann Fegelein: Yes, and?

    Generaloberst Alfred Jodl: [glares at Fegelein] We are soldiers! We pledged our allegiance to the Führer!

    SS-Gruppenführer Hermann Fegelein: So that means we are no longer allowed to think?

    General der Infanterie Wilhelm Burgdorf: All this coming from you? An opportunist? A ruthless careerist?

    SS-Gruppenführer Hermann Fegelein: Pardon?

    [Burgdorf takes a swig of alcohol]