The Bunker (1981)

Anthony Hopkins gives an Emmy Award-winning performance as Adolf Hitler over the 105 days of his decline. With the Third Reich crumbling around him, Hitler rages as he faces the final hours before a choice must be made between suicide and surrender.

 Lacks tone and atmosphere
I haven't seen the whole thing yet but what I've noticed so far is that it lacks tone and atmosphere. I've seen more tone and atmosphere in an episode of Private Benjamin or Bosom Buddies. Downfall is a better depiction of this subject matter. July 30, 2007

 Mediocre adaptation of O'Donnell's book
Based on James O'Donnell's "The Bunker", this movie attempts to recreate the last days of Hitler. On the positive side, the sets are excellent and the movie covers most of the major events that took place, although not always in the correct order. On the negative side, Anthony Hopkins' performance is decidedly two-note: either apoplectic or catatonic. He did not accurately portray the charismatic man who was able to charm, inspire and hypnotize his followers until the very last. Hopkins either screams or stares blankly into space. Also, the movie gives us a Goebbels who sounds like he's straight off the boat from Brooklyn, a Goering who reminded me of Colonel Klink and a Col. Von Below who minces about like he just stepped out of La Cage aux Folles. Who knew that the Nazi hierarchy was so gay friendly?! Speer is over-romanticized and there are several scenes which I don't recall from history, such as Goebbels' dinner party in the Chancellery. This movie just didn't do it for me. It seemed like this movie was so intent on covering all the bases that it forgot to be dramatic. Its impression is more of a Bunker highlight film than a story employing dramatic tension and buildup to achieve climax and resolution. Still, any attempt at dramatizing the Bunker days is worth viewing. April 28, 2007

 The Bunker
Anthony Hopkins is a fine actor who puts in another good performance. The movie itself is what it is a 1980's TV drama about insane people in an insane regime, who started a world war,then destroyed themselves in the end March 28, 2007

 Beware the DVD Soundtrack
I have to give the dvd version of the Bunker only 4 stars, since someone, for some reason, has changed the movie's soundtrack from the original. To hear the original score, which adds a great deal to the overall feeling of the film, you will have to secure the vhs version.

As for who captures the "real" Hitler better, some like Guinness, some Hopkins, and some Bruno Ganz, who is remarkable in Downfall. I think they all manage to capture something of a person who was something of a stranger to even those closest to him.

Plus, Downfall is a German-made film, and it's interesting to see Hitler through the eyes of a subsequent generation of Germans. Compare Ganz's role in Downfall with his excellent performance in Wings of Desire. Just for fun. June 19, 2006

 Hopkins is a Weaker Hitler
This version of Hitler's last days begs comparison with the earlier production with Alec Guinness. Hopkin's Hitler comes across as weaker, less strong, but it is a careful study nonetheless. The production is top quality, although the supporting cast is a bit weak. The actor who plays Goebbels over does it a bit, while Speer is given a more sympathetic portrait than he deserves. The perspective of this movie is larger, as it covers the entire three month period of Hitler's life in the Bunker. At times a little slow, the movie is less dramatic than its earlier counter part with Guinness, but it is a worthwhile version anyway. Hopkin's Hilter starts to grow on you after a while, while his performance lacks the force of Guinness it is still a careful study of a dictator/madman in steady decline. Buy both versions of Hitler with Guinness and Hopkins and you will have a fascinating study of one of the world's most infamous leaders of the 20th Century. July 17, 2003

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