Is Valkyrie Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Apr 25, 2023
Valkyrie
Valkyrie is a film released in 2008 that tells the story of the 20 July plot by German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler during World War II. The movie was directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander, with Tom Cruise in the lead role as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg.
The film faced controversy due to Cruise's affiliation with Scientology, which caused difficulty in obtaining filming locations in Germany. Despite changing release dates and poor initial marketing, the film ultimately grossed nearly $201.5 million worldwide and received mixed reviews from critics.
During a research trip to Berlin in 2002, Christopher McQuarrie became interested in the story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He was struck by the bravery of the conspirators, who were fully aware of the potential consequences of failure. McQuarrie teamed up with Nathan Alexander to write the film and drew inspiration from the 2001 TV film Conspiracy, which depicted the Wannsee Conference.
McQuarrie initially wanted to direct the film himself but realized that Bryan Singer would be a better fit to secure the necessary financing. Kenneth Branagh, Brendan Coyle, and Nicholas Farrell, who had all starred in Conspiracy, also appeared in Valkyrie.
Is Valkyrie Based on a True Story?
Valkyrie is a gripping thriller that tells the true story of a group of high-ranking Nazi officers' attempt to overthrow Hitler, with Tom Cruise delivering a standout performance as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, one of the leaders of the daring plot. Despite the cast's inexplicable use of American and English accents, the movie expertly conveys the intense inner turmoil of each character as they make life-altering decisions.
The film's tension and action are riveting, and the entire cast delivers excellent performances. Although it is not without its flaws, Valkyrie is one of the best historical films out there. To fully appreciate the story, however, it's important to distinguish what the movie got right and wrong about the real-life events that inspired it.
Valkyrie Plot
During World War II, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a member of the Wehrmacht stationed in Tunisia, becomes disillusioned with Hitler's regime. He is severely injured in an air raid and returns to Germany, where he joins the resistance movement. Stauffenberg proposes using Operation Valkyrie, a plan to deploy the Reserve Army in a national emergency, as a means to take control of the country after assassinating Hitler.
The plotters redraft the plan's orders to dismantle the Nazi regime after Hitler's death. Stauffenberg gains direct access to Hitler and places a bomb at a strategy meeting at the Wolf's Lair, but Hitler survives due to a fortunate placement of the briefcase.
The Reserve Army is mobilized, but the plotters are unsuccessful in their attempts to arrest Nazi leaders, and they are ultimately arrested and executed. The movie ends with a post-script displaying the text of the German resistance memorial.
Valkyrie Ending Explained
The aftermath of the failed assassination attempt in Valkyrie depicts the conspirators' efforts to have Nazi officials arrested, but in reality, the story concludes much more swiftly. In both the movie and actual history, it becomes evident that Adolf Hitler survived the attack and ordered the capture of all those involved in Operation Valkyrie. Around 200 conspirators were taken into custody and executed in a brutal manner.
The film portrays several of these executions in its final scenes, including von Stauffenberg's death by firing squad, during which he utters the words "Long live Germany!" as his final statement.
The movie takes its name from "Operation Valkyrie," a contingency plan authorized by the German government for the reserve army to make arrests on their behalf. This operation was at the heart of the conspirators' plans and provided the best chance of success for any coup attempt since the 1938 plot to assassinate Hitler in Munich.
In Valkyrie, von Stauffenberg persuades Hitler to sign a revised version of the plan that grants more power to the plotters. This is a fictional element added to the film to enhance von Stauffenberg's agency.
Valkyrie Review
Valkyrie is a suspenseful film that portrays a large-scale conspiracy within the German army to assassinate Hitler. The story revolves around Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, played by Tom Cruise, who is the driving force behind the attempted coup. The bombing attempt on July 20, 1944, fails, and the Reserve Army is called up to arrest SS officials, resulting in 700 arrests and 200 executions, including von Stauffenberg's.
Despite the high risk of certain death for planning high treason, the conspirators openly express their contempt for Hitler. Many of them are career officers who hate Hitler not only for what he is doing to the country but also for what he is doing to the army. They believe that the war is lost after the invasion of Normandy and hope to save hundreds of thousands of military and civilian lives.
Von Stauffenberg is known to be "offended" by the Nazi treatment of Jews in the 1930s and considers the Kristallnacht a disgrace to Germany. However, little is said among the conspirators about the ongoing genocide, perhaps because they were alienated from the SS and unaware of what was happening.
The conspirators repeatedly tell each other that even if they fail, the world would know that not all Germans supported Hitler. Despite their deepest motives, they give their lives in trying to kill the monster.
The film introduces us to the major figures in the plot, explains their roles, and suggests their differences. Kenneth Branagh gives a standout performance as a major general who smuggles a bomb into Hitler's inner circle and then must smuggle it out again. Tom Wilkinson is also excellent as a general who plays both sides of the fence, treating the plot with benign neutrality while covering himself should it fail.
Tom Cruise is satisfactory in the leading role, but he faced negative advance buzz for portraying a half-blind, one-armed Nazi hero. The criticism may have been due to Cruise's past behavior and the tendency of movie publicity to focus on gossip and scandal. However, the buzz is irrelevant now that the movie is out.
Is Valkyrie Based on a True Story - FAQs
"Valkyrie" is a thriller movie based on a large-scale conspiracy within the German army to assassinate Adolf Hitler during World War II.
The main character is Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, who was played by Tom Cruise in the film.
Yes, the movie is based on a true story of a failed assassination attempt on Hitler on July 20, 1944, known as the July 20 plot or Operation Valkyrie.
Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, Gen. Friedrich Olbricht, Gen. Ludwig Beck, Gen. Henning von Tresckow, and Gen. Erwin von Witzleben were some of the key players involved in the real-life plot.