A
Anonymous
Guest
So, there is a new Hollywood blockbuster in production, in Berlin. The working title is "Valkyrie", and it is going to star Tom Cruise in the role of Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg.
To those who are not sure what this is about, let me give you the basics. In 1944, Stauffenberg, a high-ranking officer of the Wehrmacht, was part of a conspiracy to kill Hitler. On 20. July, the attempt -a bomb attack- was made, in Hitlers headquarters near the East Prussian town of Rastenburg. The attempt failed, but Stauffenberg returned to Berlin and announced on radio channels that the Fuhrer was dead. Shortly afterwards, he was sentenced to death and executed by nazi authorities.
The 20. July 1944 is something of a mythological date, especially for German patriots, because it serves to prove that not all Germans were nazis, and especially, because not even the entire Wehrmacht was, and there was resistance even in the highest ranks (Erwin Rommel is also associated with this conspiracy). In Germany, the event is also known as the "revolt of conscience". Moreover, the conspiracy and especially Stauffenbergs decision is considered a perfect example of the struggle of morale vs principle (Stauffenberg was a dedicated soldier, and he did not take the fact, that he had sworn an oath to Hitler lightly) and as such, is discussed in German schools.
Now, while it is quite impressive that Tom Cruise did not choose to play an American trying to assassinate Hitler, but for once decided to stick to historical facts, the filming is already very controversial in Germany. The main -only- reason for that is that Cruise is a scientologist, which is a big problem for many Germans. Many do feel that he is not worthy of portraying such a "national hero" (fuck that, but whatever), and he has not been allowed to film on historic locations. The subject is quite discussed in the media here, and while most agree that Cruise is a huge arsehole (I personally don't know a single person who likes him), some feel that discriminating him because he is a scientologist -however active and advertising- is going too far.
Just for further information, there have been a few German films on the matter, the most prominent probably being Der 20. Juli and Stauffenberg.
To those who are not sure what this is about, let me give you the basics. In 1944, Stauffenberg, a high-ranking officer of the Wehrmacht, was part of a conspiracy to kill Hitler. On 20. July, the attempt -a bomb attack- was made, in Hitlers headquarters near the East Prussian town of Rastenburg. The attempt failed, but Stauffenberg returned to Berlin and announced on radio channels that the Fuhrer was dead. Shortly afterwards, he was sentenced to death and executed by nazi authorities.
The 20. July 1944 is something of a mythological date, especially for German patriots, because it serves to prove that not all Germans were nazis, and especially, because not even the entire Wehrmacht was, and there was resistance even in the highest ranks (Erwin Rommel is also associated with this conspiracy). In Germany, the event is also known as the "revolt of conscience". Moreover, the conspiracy and especially Stauffenbergs decision is considered a perfect example of the struggle of morale vs principle (Stauffenberg was a dedicated soldier, and he did not take the fact, that he had sworn an oath to Hitler lightly) and as such, is discussed in German schools.
Now, while it is quite impressive that Tom Cruise did not choose to play an American trying to assassinate Hitler, but for once decided to stick to historical facts, the filming is already very controversial in Germany. The main -only- reason for that is that Cruise is a scientologist, which is a big problem for many Germans. Many do feel that he is not worthy of portraying such a "national hero" (fuck that, but whatever), and he has not been allowed to film on historic locations. The subject is quite discussed in the media here, and while most agree that Cruise is a huge arsehole (I personally don't know a single person who likes him), some feel that discriminating him because he is a scientologist -however active and advertising- is going too far.
Just for further information, there have been a few German films on the matter, the most prominent probably being Der 20. Juli and Stauffenberg.