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Film Review
'Valkyrie' stands for moral responsibility
If an uplifting, fun family film is what you are looking to see this Christmas, there are a handful of films to choose from. “Valkyrie” (MGM) is not one of them.
“Valkyrie” is the true story of an attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Tom Cruise stars as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a German military officer during World War II who became disenchanted with Hitler’s rule and decided to fight against him.
After Stauffenberg comes back from combat in Northern Africa, he becomes the leader of the 15th attempt to take Hitler’s life.
Cruise’s performance is the most notable. The supporting roles are well acted, but there is generally little character development and consequently little empathy for the others who fight against Hitler and his military. As the film progresses along its complicated plot line, the list of historical characters is lengthy and difficult to follow.
Most people with even a vague understanding of World War II have a sense of how the film will end. Yet “Valkyrie” is still suspenseful. A fast pace, tight direction and committed acting leave viewers on the edge of their seats.
Still the story, with its sophisticated military references, seems to run ahead of the viewer as the film barrels forward.
The opening battle scene in Africa leaves Stauffenberg permanently wounded. He reunites with his family in Berlin and becomes involved in a planned coup.
Yet in the end, the mix of characters — the majority of whom are German military officers — is confusing and seems superfluous.
Still, the concept behind “Valkyrie” — the Germans who did not want their country’s honor stained by Hitler’s legacy — is an interesting perspective. It casts light on personal responsibility.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches this moral responsibility of all people clearly:
“Actions deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles are crimes, as are the orders that command such actions. Blind obedience does not suffice to excuse those who carry them out” (2313).
Those who try to kill Hitler could no longer be part of the evil regime. They wanted to bring Germany into a greater moral reality by ending Das Fuhrer.
Knowing the historical weight of the film makes it difficult to watch. But it is ultimately uplifting — showing that even in the midst of such great evil, there were those who understood their moral obligation.
Media critic Rebecca Bostic is a regular contributor to The Catholic Sun. Comments are welcome. Send e-mail to letters@catholicsun.org.
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