I‘m not sure how it happened (likely lack of interest on our part) but we’ve managed to go this entire time without mentioning the upcoming Tom Cruise starring war drama Valkyrie. Directed by Bryan Singer, the film which is based on real events, has a monstrous cast including Eddie Izzard, Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp, Tom Wilkinson and Kenneth Branagh. The film is a dramatization of Operation Valkyrie, a 1944 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
This production has suffered a whole load of problems. First there’s the little fact that Singer is coming off of the not-so-well received Superman Returns. Then we have Cruise who hasn’t exactly been on top of his game lately (though his recent appearance in Tropic Thunder (our review) is sure to go a long way in getting back a bit of street cred for the actor) plus there’s the talk that the production was banned from filming at some locations. I really started to wonder how much trouble the project was in when it started to jump around the release schedule, finally landing on holiday release (just under the awards cut off perhaps?).
I was curious about the film, mostly for the cast, but I wasn’t expecting much (especially after seeing the rather boring teaser/promo video) but I like this new full trailer which sets this up as more of a heist than a war/period assassination drama. And the new one sheet carries on the heist theme. Could it be that this could actually be interesting in more than the typical “based on a true story” big action/adventure war film? It’s certainly shaping up that way. Colour me surprised.
Valkyrie opens on December 26th.
Trailer is tucked under the seat!
This discussion currently has 10 responses.
September 30, 2008
Apart from this trailer practically giving me epilepsy, I can only re-iterate the same feelings I had when I saw the first promotion in the theatre – seeing TOM CRUISE and FROM THE DIRECTOR OF X-MEN AND SUPERMAN RETURNS on this makes it seem like a parody. A story like this should be left to germans to tell.
September 30, 2008
“A story like this should be left to germans to tell.”
On the one hand, since it’s part of the history, I agree, but I don’t see any malice in this production either though you’re absolutely right – that combination of actor/director seems odd for the type of film. But I’m not about to put up walls – if that’s want they want to try, let them at it. As for the trailer….epilepsy? Seriously? I didn’t think it was THAT bad though it is flashier than I expected and perhaps the only reason I’m even curious.
September 30, 2008
I thought it was that bad.
I’m not saying people are malicious for doing stuff like this, I’m just saying I personally can’t take it seriously.
September 30, 2008
meh, but I’ll give it a shot on the big screen. This swastika-festish trailer does little for me. I’d be going more out of habit than joy. Let’s hope the trailer is misleading…
October 1, 2008
Was that Carice Van Houten? Nice. I bought a shitload of her stock over at HSX just after Black Book. It’s gonna pay off I bet.
October 1, 2008
Just checked. Yup, up 29% – gain of just over $13K. Too bad I can’t say the same for the American markets.
October 1, 2008
It’s been months since I checked my HSX account. Thanks for the reminder!
October 1, 2008
Sounds like they ditched the plan to have them speak with accents and have redubbed the whole thing.
October 1, 2008
That’d certainly be one explanation as to why the film was pushed back so far, swarez.
October 1, 2008
Yeah. The lack of German accents is an interesting approach, to say the least. But then, Tom Cruise with a German accent?