Analyzing Political Themes in the Movie Valkyrie (Political Science)

This report provides a detailed analysis of the movie Valkyrie, focusing on its depiction of political themes related to World War II and Nazi Germany. The report examines the historical context of the film, particularly the events surrounding Operation Valkyrie, the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. It explores the conflicts within Germany, the motivations of the resistance, and the portrayal of patriotism. The analysis delves into the film's accuracy in depicting the events of July 20, 1944, the roles of key figures like Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, and the impact of the failed assassination attempt. Furthermore, the report assesses the movie's effectiveness in conveying the violence and political turmoil of the era, the dominance of the Nazi regime, and the perspectives of those who opposed it. The report concludes by summarizing the film's strengths in presenting a compelling narrative of resistance and the pursuit of a free Germany.

Running head: POLITICAL SCIENCE
Political Science
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Author’s Note

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Introduction
The main purpose of this assessment is to analyze a movie which can depict a political
theme and on the basis of which a review of the movie is to be done. The movie which is
selected for this assessment is Valkyrie. The movie effectively demonstrates the conflicts which
was caused by the World War II both internally and externally. The movie also depicts a certain
level of patriotism as well. The movie effectively shows the events which took place in Germany
during the first world war and the attempt by German generals to murder Adolf Hitler in order to
bring about a political stability in the country and also end to the war.
Discussion
The movie which is considered for this assessment is Valkyrie which shows events which
took place in Germany during the end world war. Valkyrie is a thriller film which is primarily
based on the conspiracy which was plotted by leading German general for the purpose of
assassinating Hitler. The main plot of the movie is the planning of operation Valkyrie which was
developed with a view point of keeping Germany safe and stable from political turmoil (Hart).
The movie effectively depicts the bombing plan which was developed by and the date which was
selected was 20th July 144 at Wolflair.
The movie starts with introducing Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg who is severely
injured by an RAF air raid during a posting in Tunisia. The movie shows that the Colonel had
lost right hand, ring and little finger and also a left eye during the incident in Tunisia (Short). The
movie shows that a part of the German army forces is not happy with the rule and violence of
Adolf Hitler and has many a times attempted to assassinate the dictator. These forces were
known as the resistance who were against Nazism and the rule of Hitler. The plan of the

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resistance to set up a coup which would start by killing Hitler and after the same in order to
maintain stability in the country operation Valkyrie would be initiated. The operation Valkyrie
objective was to make use of the reserve army of Germany to maintain the political stability in
the country and take care of the remaining Nazi supports after the dead of Hitler (Kershaw). The
movie effectively shows that Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg along with some other members of
the resistance went to a meeting at Wolfslair on 20th July 1944. The bomb was detonated as
planned and most of the leaders of Resistance thought that Hitler was dead and so they initiated
the Operation Valkyrie. However, the support of the commander of the reserve force was not
fully in favor of the resistance troops as no confirmation was provided relating to the death of
Hitler (Hansen). The movie shows that Hitler was alive and had survived the bombing and
therefore most of the resistance leaders were arrested and executed including Colonel Claus von
Stauffenberg.
The movie depicts extreme level of patriotism as the leaders of the resistance were not
happy with the methods Hitler applied and especially the treatment of the Jews. The movie also
shows that Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg was the main force driving the Operation Valkyrie
and in a failed attempt to assassinate the dictator, more than 700 men were arrested for crimes
against the state and around 200 men were killed including some major leaders of the resistance.
The movie has effectively portrayed the theme as the dominant rule of the Nazi forces and also
the role of resistance in the plot.
The movie is a significant reminder of the violence and the dictator rule of the Nazi
forces and appropriately captures the theme of the 2nd World War. The film has appropriately
shown the theme of Nazism in Germany and role which resistance army played. The focus of the
resistance army was to bring about stability in Germany and survive the world crisis situation.

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The plan Operation Valkyrie was appropriate formulated by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and
the plan effectively used the reserve army which was kept back by Hitler to protect Berlin and
the film based on “What If scenarios”. If the plan had succeeded the impact on Germany would
be immense and could have changed the scenario of the 2nd world war. The plot effectively
shows the plan of operation and the situation also. The plan was a perfect one and would have
even succeed which could have changed the course of history (Nicosia and Stokes). After the
attempt on the life of Hitler on 20th July, the plan was to use the reserve army to take out any
loyalist of Nazi in Germany but in such a situation the Fuhrer had survived and commanded the
loyalty of the troops and further retained control over the country (Eltscher). The film is
effectively casted with Tom Cruise in lead role playing Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the
presentation of the film is effectively presented. The last words which was uttered by Colonel
Claus von Stauffenberg was long live Sacred Germany. The patriotism element in the movie has
been depicted appropriately and the cast of the movie has presented great performance.
Conclusion
The above discussion effectively reviews the movie Valkyrie and all the different element
which is associated with the movie. The movie is successful in developing an atmosphere which
is related to the violence which was present during the 2nd world war. The film is also casted well
and presents strong performance. The actual details which took place on 20th July 1944 is
effectively reconstructed in the movie. The dominance of the Nazi forces and the dislike which
the same created among the army officials is effectively shown. The movie presents us with a
message that all German officers are not the same and did not support the methods of Hitler. The
movie shows the role of heroes who wanted a free and united Germany.

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Reference
Eltscher, Louis R. Traitors or patriots?: A story of the German anti-Nazi Resistance. iUniverse,
2013.
Hansen, Randall. Disobeying Hitler: German resistance in the last year of WWII. Faber & Faber,
2014.
Hart, BH Liddell. A History of the Second World War. Pan Macmillan, 2015.
Kershaw, Ian. Luck of the devil: the story of Operation Valkyrie. Penguin UK, 2013.
Nicosia, Francis R., and Lawrence D. Stokes, eds. Germans against Nazism: nonconformity,
opposition and resistance in the Third Reich: essays in honour of Peter Hoffmann. Berghahn
Books, 2015.
Short, Neil. Kill Hitler: Operation Valkyrie 1944. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2013.