The Bunker (1981)

Dramatization depicting the events surrounding Adolf Hitler's last weeks in and around his underground bunker in Berlin before and during the battle for the city.

Director:

George Schaefer

Writers:

John Gay (written for television by), James P. O'Donnell (based on the book by)

Stars:

Anthony Hopkins, Richard Jordan, Cliff Gorman

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anthony Hopkins	...	Adolf Hitler
Richard Jordan	...	Albert Speer
Cliff Gorman	...	Joseph Goebbels
James Naughton	...	James O'Donnell
Michael Lonsdale	...	Martin Bormann
Martin Jarvis	...	Johannes Hentschel
Michael Kitchen	...	Rochus Misch
Andrew Ray	...	Otto Günsche
Piper Laurie	...	Magda Goebbels
Susan Blakely	...	Eva Braun
Robert Austin	...	Wagner
Geoffrey Bateman	...	Riebold
Graham Bishop	...	Helmut Goebbels
Kevin Bishop	...	Themmer
Nathalie Boulmer	...	Elga Goebbels

Storyline

In 1945, The Third Reich is in its death throes with the Allies relentlessly attacking the capital city of Berlin. Its Fuehrer, Adolf Hitler, retreats into his fortified bunker in Berlin with his senior staff. There, gripped with both delusions of grandeur and despair, Hitler commands a hopeless last stand with resources existing largely in his own mind. While resisting the pleas of rational minions like Albert Speer, basic reality finally comes unavoidable. With that, Hitler and his fanatical fellows prepare for their own end even as their grandiose dreams are becoming a smoking ruin above.

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Plot Keywords:

bunker | 1940s | last stand | nazi germany | marriage ceremony | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Details

Country:

France USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

27 January 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Führerbunker

Company Credits

Production Co:

Société Française de Production (SFP), Antenne-2, Time-Life Television Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min 148 min (DVD edition) (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Reporters on the set said the sense of realism was so intense that at one point, when Anthony Hopkins entered the room to prepare for the next scene, actors portraying SS troops found themselves snapping to attention.

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Goofs

At the very end of the movie, the SS man/switchboard operator, Misch is seen talking to mechanic Hentschel while preparing to flee "The Bunker". The rifle Misch has shouldered is a Russian Mosin Nagant; he would have been carrying the German Mauser of which plenty would have been available with all the wounded in the proximity. I doubt if anyone would have taken a Nagant down into Hitler's Bunker.

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Connections

Featured in Hitler: The Comedy Years (2007)

User Reviews

Excellent Docu-drama

I consider this one of Anthony Hopkins best 'early' performances. Hopkins immersed himself into the role of Hitler. In a review it was said after a typical Hitler tirade, Hopkins was so 'into' the role, he would have the room cleared so he could be alone and compose himself! Awesome, believable, performances by all other's involved also. Especial kudos to Richard Jordan as Albert Speer, Hitler's 'adopted' protege'. This film adaptation may be as close as we will come to what really happened in Hitler's bunker at the end of World War II.