Those who blame Visconti with spoiling history have simply missed the gist of the movie by concentrating on some minor details, on surface. The characters are not just historical figures ( like Krupps or Nazi leaders) they are symbolic figures. This intricate film reveals the mechanism of Nazy power based on the chain of crimes where each new link is joined with the "Bloody Eucharist" and destroys its predecessor. However, the firmness of such junction is illusionary for this system stands only on mutual fear and suspicion. The main aim of "La Caduta." is to demonstrate the "demonism" of unrestricted power, murderous and self-destroying, that instigates the vicious instincts, uses them and then gets rid of both its adherents and enemies. There is no salvation for anybody. See Martin - he's also infected with "demonism" and logically is to became its next victim... So all perversions symbolize the vicious instincts, released and uncontrolled. Nothing more. Yes, the movie is lurid for the total evil reigns at the end. It`s more close to Greek tragedies or Wagnerian operas with their apocalyptic solemnity (by the way it's named like the last opera of Wagner). It should be conceived just in this way. Its artistic value is doubtless and the total impact is really tremendous. When you see how this poor obsessed people are ruining their souls step by step. I guess it's a superior masterpiece.
Review of The Damned
