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Cruise Makes Valkyrie Bumpy Ride

Supporting cast shines, but film not exactly sharp on historical details

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 24, 2008 2:01 PM CST

(Newser) – Valkyrie isn’t that good—and surely not Oscar-worthy, Peter Travers writes in Rolling Stone. “And the sooner you accept it, the more fun you’ll have at this satisfying B movie.” The supporting cast is fantastic, and Tom Cruise’s presence just serves to make “you wonder why the SS man we’re rooting for is an American, while most of the other Germans are British,” writes Michael Phillips in the Chicago Tribune.

While the film is based on fact—a plot to assassinate Hitler—it leaves out many salient character details, Phillips says. “Telling more of the truth would’ve made for a more provocative experience.” But Joe Neumaier, in the New York Daily News, sees a fundamental flaw. “If there are Nazis fighting other Nazis in a movie and it’s still boring, something’s gone wrong.”

[Images (7)]

[Videos (1)]

Tom Cruise portrays Claus von Stauffenberg in "Valkyrie." (MGM)

Tom Cruise in 'Valkyrie." (AP Photo)

Tom Cruise, left, anti-Hitler plotter Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg, center, and his son Berthold Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. (AP Photo)

Eddie Izzard, who supports in "Valkyrie." (AP Photo)

Cast member Bill Nighy arrives at the premiere of "Valkyrie" in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)

Cast member Kenneth Branagh, right, and his wife, Lindsay Brunnock. (AP Photo)

Actors Thomas Kretschmann, left and Christian Berkel attend the world premiere of 'Valkyrie' in New York. (AP Photo)

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The "Valkyrie" trailer. (mgm)

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Cruise Makes Valkyrie Bumpy Ride