Downfall

We watch "Downfall" more than a week ago and I am finally putting my notes up, kinda late but its the principle of the thing.

"Downfall" notes
beginning:
dull colors, little natural light is used inside most of the buildings.
all things are in order and organized on screen around Hitler.
the camera never keeps the same angle when looking at Hitler; not just looking down or up at him. It shows his hand shaking but he keeps it behind his back.
when they are outside the chaos of war is present. people running, papers flying through the air
when in the bunker camera is close giving a sense of entrapment.
middle:
shows neat and ordered building from the beginning empty or messy.
shows Hitler falling form "grace"
his hand is more unsteady, feels betrayed by his men. the camera doesn't look up at him anymore.
close to end:
he can no longer steady his hand
he more pale in the face
the scenes have less talking
most soldiers have lost their poise and formality
people are showing more emotion
the last high ranking officers are sullen
Hitler kills himself;the bodies are covered when they carry them out to burn them, officers salute
only shows casing in some blood in his room
end:
show them all dressed as soldiers clothes are dirty; so are they
camera is always eye level and is never completely steady
tell of what happened to people after the war
shows short interview with secretary, shows how it affects all life
"being young is not an excuse"

I can see how this movie had some pretty big controversy when it came out because of the humanization of Hitler but it does a great job of showing is power and the deterioration of that power. When the city is falling all around them the officers remain calm and faithful to him. I feel they did a great job for putting this movie together and it provides a completely different view of the war.