“Downfall” (“Der Untergang”), directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel and released in 2004, provides a gripping and intense portrayal of Adolf Hitler’s last days in his Berlin bunker as World War II draws to a catastrophic close. Based on the accounts of Hitler’s personal secretary, Traudl Junge, and historian Joachim Fest’s book “Inside Hitler’s Bunker,” the film offers a harrowing look at the collapse of the Third Reich, capturing the desperation, delusion, and destruction that marked its end.

One of the most striking aspects of “Downfall” is its unyielding commitment to historical accuracy. The film meticulously recreates the claustrophobic atmosphere of the Führerbunker, where Hitler and his closest associates are holed up as Soviet forces encircle Berlin. The production design, from the bunker’s dimly lit, oppressive corridors to the devastated streets of Berlin, immerses viewers in the bleak, apocalyptic setting of the final days of Nazi Germany.

Bruno Ganz delivers a tour de force performance as Adolf Hitler, portraying the dictator with a complexity rarely seen in cinema. Ganz’s portrayal captures Hitler’s physical deterioration, psychological unraveling, and moments of terrifying rage, offering a nuanced depiction that avoids both demonization and humanization. His performance anchors the film, providing a chilling insight into the mind of a man responsible for unimaginable atrocities.

The supporting cast is equally strong, with standout performances that add depth to the film’s portrayal of the bunker’s inhabitants. Alexandra Maria Lara as Traudl Junge offers a sympathetic perspective as a young woman caught in the maelstrom of history. Corinna Harfouch’s portrayal of Magda Goebbels is haunting, particularly in the chilling scene where she poisons her own children, believing life without National Socialism is not worth living.

The screenplay by Bernd Eichinger effectively balances the intimate, personal dramas within the bunker with the broader context of Berlin’s fall. It presents a mosaic of perspectives, including that of ordinary German soldiers and civilians, which adds layers to the narrative and underscores the widespread impact of the war’s final days.