OPERATION VALKYRIE (originally titled STAUFFENBERG for its 2004 television release in Germany) is a condensed, powerful, and realistic telling of the attempted assassination of Adolf Hitler by his own military supporters on 20 July 1944. Unfortunately now in the shadow of the highly touted VALKYRIE released this past year as the Hollywood version of the incident OPERATION VALKYRIE is getting little attention from viewers. Now that it is available on DVD perhaps it will gain the importance it deserves.

For one aspect, the film is written, filmed and acted by Germans and the result is a different kind of felling than the later VALKYRIE: the tenor of the film suggests a growing lack of hope and a recognition of the insanity of Hitler by the a larger portion of the German populace than we have been lead to believe. It bears more a sense of reality than of a thriller movie.

Sebastian Koch is wholly credible as Oberst Claus Graf Schenk v. Stauffenberg - a devoted military man under the spell of Hitler's influence in the early years of the rise of the Third Reich who gradually pays attention to the rumors and reports of Hitler's aloof response to his murders of thousands of people. In a particularly touching scene a Polish Jew named Polja (Katharina Rivilis) recounts the horrors that the war has imposed on her family and her descent into insanity from Hitler's plan and execution of that plan for the genocide of the Jews. Stauffenberg is so deeply touched by this crowning encounter that he requests immediate transfer to the African Front and it is there that he is nearly killed in action, losing a hand and an eye. From the moment he awakens in a Munich hospital he begins his plan to exterminate Hitler (an impressive mute role by Udo Schenk),a plan that ultimately fails and results in Stauffenberg's assassination - a film clip of which opens the film before the credits.

The cast is excellent and the pacing and forward momentum of the story as written and directed by Jo Baier makes for a film that strikes the viewer in bullets aimed for the mind and heart. If too much of the peripheral activity of the times around the 1944 event is edited, remember that the film was originally a made of television experience to be viewed by the German populace and accepting part of the history depicted is still tainted by the horror of the Hitler guidance of Germany. Well worth watching. Grady Harp

In 1944, a group of high command officers plot an attempt against Hitler, and one of the leaders of the conspiracy, Stauffenberg (Sebastian Koch),goes to a meeting with the Fuhrer in charge of exploding the place. However, Hitler survives and the officers are executed.

"Stauffenberg" is another great example of the powerful German cinema. Based on a true event, with remarkable performances, tight direction and excellent reconstitution of a dark period of the contemporary Germany history, it is highly recommended – indeed a must-see film - for fans of war movies. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Operação Valkiria" ("Valkyrie Operation")

"Stauffenberg" is one of the most famous German television movies from the 21st century. It runs for 90 minutes roughly and was written and directed by Jo Baier, based on the actual events of course. If you have seen Tom Cruise's "Valkyrie" or are just curious about history, you will certainly know about the basics here. This is the story of the man who tried to assassinate Hitler with a bunch of his friends when it was very obvious that the Fuehrer was leading Germany into disaster. Apart from Sebastian Koch ("The Lives of Others"),who plays the title character, there are more known actors here. At least, German movie fans should be aware of Tukur, Milberg, Krüger Jr., maybe Kunzendorf and also Olli Dittrich in a small performance as Joseph Goebbels that could not be any more different though compared to what he usually does.

I thought this was a pretty good watch. First of all, I am happy they did not feel the need to stretch this towards 2 hours, but kept it very essential at 1.5 hours. And yet it was complete. I personally found the film was at its best in the second half, when the assassination attempt already happened and the main characters, for the most part, were not aware that he survived the movie. It is also not a problem at all that the final pivotal moments of Stauffenberg's assassination was included also right at the start of the film as almost everybody who considers watching this will know about the title character's fate and those who don't will at least know that Hitler was not killed by Stauffenberg. Good job from everybody involved. A rewarding watch in terms of story, acting and the visual side as well. I certainly recommend giving this one a chance.