BASED ON A TRUE STORY: a plot to assassinate Hitler during WWII, also known as the July 20th plot. Operation Valkyrie was the official code-name for Hitler’s contingency plan in case of a national emergency, and what the plotters in a brilliant scheme decided to use against the SS regime once Hitler was killed.

Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg. The cast was brilliant. If you’re wondering what movie to watch, you HAVE to run see this one. We were ecstatic at the end of the movie and the story is so inspiring. The movie is directed by Brian Singer (Usual Suspect and XMen, 2 movies I Luv!)

Though initially, there was much ado about nothing because Cruise was playing the role of Von Stauffenberg, German Ministry and the Colonel’s family expressed concern over his following of Scientology, and that’s sad. Though I’m very puzzled by the teachings of Scientology, Cruise has always delivered on all of his roles and that shouldn’t determine whether he does a good job or not. Tensions flared then settled and in the end, he delivered with oozing charisma and presence. I feel this was his best role ever and should be nominated for an Oscar. His performance and that of others in the movie were electrifying. Add a great plot, loads of suspense and a touch of heroism and humanism, and you get one of the greatest movie ever produced. Really, it was THAT good! Tom Cruise NAILED IT…

So run see it. You’ll learn some history and better yet, it’ll inspire to make a difference. As I said many times: IF YOU DON’T STAND FOR SOMETHING, YOU’LL FALL FOR ANYTHING.  So often we only celebrate those that were able to make a difference and tend to completely disregard unsung hero.

The movie and the personality cult around Hitler is very reminiscent of most of our leaders in Africa. It’s a little tough to get passed Von Stauffenberg being a father of four, to put his family aside and work for the greater good of Germany (and the world to a certain extent). The greater sacrifice imaginable. Though I’d like to think of myself as a humanitarian in the flesh, I can’t ever imagine leaving my family off for any cause. But then again, those were extraordinary times…

Only spoiler to the whole thing: we already know how it ends. V. Stauffenberg doesn’t get to kill Hitler and the atrocities of WW2 keep going, we know for a fact. On the other hand though, knowing all of that doesn’t stop you from staying on the edge of your seat. D turned around to tell me how nervous he was at some point and we were both trying to figure out who the “traitor” was going to be: someone had a funny look on their face, so-and-so doesn’t seem to be 100% on board, why did he say it this way? why did this other not act according to the plan?. Overall, the director and the cast did a great job not spoiling the thriller and though you know how it ends and where it starts, you only know as much as you watch and the suspense keeps you boiling with excitement, to the point where you even ask yourself: wait… Hitler committed suicide at the end of the war right? You feel like going back to your history book, but ultimately and unfortunately as you’ll find out, we’re not rewriting history here… But makes you wonder about the turn of events had they succeeded and only wish for them to succeed. It’s like American Gangsta. You watch it knowing Denzel’s character goes to jail and gets caught, but Denzel plays it so well and is so charismatic, you almost dismiss all the harm his character has done for his community and hope he doesn’t get caught. This set of events is a little different because it would’ve been the right thing to happen.

10 out of 10, so go catch it!