A fine movie full of suspense, intrigue, and historical detail. If only they had succeeded...think of the vast number of people that could have been spared - especially in the Holocaust. Damn fine cast...great screenplay...and Tom Cruise in a role that makes you forget he's famous for jumping couches! I look forward to adding this one to my DVD collection,

I went in knowing how this was going to end and was hoping to be entertained which I was. Cruise plays a flawed but courageous character, one that believes in his country more than it's current leadership. Little has been written of the true accounts of this story and little is known here in the US however history buffs know the basics. This story helps shed some light on the character of some German leaders who know they were working for the worst criminal alive at the time...Hitler. They knew change was needed in their government, that innocent people were being slaughtered and ultimately Hitler was to blame. Cruise plays a trusted Nazi leader that knows the direction Hitler is leading Germany. He is aware Hitler must be removed and a new head of government put in place before Germany can ask for an armistice with the Allies. He along with other German patriots put together a plan that almost worked but was doomed for failure. I enjoyed this film and would recommend it.

Saw sneak preview tonight, had low expectations going in but found movie was well worth seeing. The first half of the movie was fairly slow as characters were introduced, motivations explored, yadda yadda yadda. Then the operation took hold and the second half of the picture seemed to move with blazing speed, energy and drama. Tom Cruise dominates the movie and mostly holds his own against a great supporting cast. The attention to detail seemed superb. As in other movies like Titanic, Pearl Harbor, The Alamo, etc., the fact that you already know how the movie will end (and end badly for certain major characters) can be a major distraction, but the movie can still be successful. In this case, the movie ends powerfully and is a sober reminder that freedom is not free and the righteous must be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

I thought it was a well put together movie, and opens up a whole new storyline as to what was going on behind the scenes during WWII. You never hear much about these plots or the politics involved other than the typical battles, so this was enlightening to watch - especially since it's a true story. There were supposedly 15 attempts made on Hilter's life and this was one of the last ones before Germany ended up losing the war (don't cry, they deserved to lose). Even though we know the outcome (that the assassination failed) Cruise did a great job in building a story and maintaining the suspense and keeping you on the edge of your seat. Some parts were slow, but they did not last long as they were a prelude to the final event. It was great seeing the power plays that went on while the operation was in action, and you only wondered if they were successful at this attempt how it would have changed things in the war. Valkyrie is a definite GO in my book.

This is an excellent movie with lavish attention to detail and fine performances. Much has been made of Tom Cruise in the lead and his alleged deficiencies compared to the other actors, but in fact he does a solid job which does not in any way detract from the movie. It probably helps to know a bit of history going into the movie if one is not familiar with the circumstances surrounding the plot to kill Hitler, but you certainly don't have to be an expert in history to appreciate the ultimate sacrifices made by von Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators. This is not a happy movie --- the subject matter itself is grim --- but it is very well done and highly recommended.