The Bunker (1981 film)

The Bunker
Based on The Bunker
by James P. O'Donnell
Screenplay by John Gay
Directed by George Schaefer
Starring
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
Production
Executive producer(s) Bernard Sofronski
Producer(s)
Running time 154 minutes
Release
Original network CBS
Time-Life Productions
Original release January 27, 1981 (1981-01-27)

The Bunker is a 1981 CBS television film, Time/Life production based on the book The Bunker by James P. O'Donnell.[1]

The film, directed by George Schaefer and adapted for the screen by John Gay, is a dramatisation 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.

Plot

The film opens in 1945, with O'Donnell (James Naughton) gaining entry to the Führerbunker by bribing a Soviet sentry with a packet of cigarettes.

The actors' interpretations of the events differ in ways from the traditional accounts. For example, during the final meeting between Hitler and Albert Speer, Hopkins adopts a sarcastic tone and gestures (including mock applause) that suggest that Hitler was already aware of Speer's betrayal, even though he uses the exact words recounted by the witnesses. This became a fairly controversial scene due to a perception in some circles that the resemblance to Jesus Christ's legendary foreseeing of Judas's betrayal was intentional. These accusations were consistently denied, as were reports regarding a rumoured on-set romance between Piper Laurie (Magda Goebbels) and Cliff Gorman (Joseph Goebbels).

Also, the film constantly shifts the point-of-view character. This includes characters who are not known to have left their experiences on record. For example, Dr. Werner Haase is used in this manner, even though he was never interviewed (having died in late 1950). Likewise, two scenes are written from the viewpoint of Hitler's cook, Constanze Manziarly, and in one scene, Manziarly actually has a flashback, remembering happier days. However, Manziarly disappeared while escaping from the bunker, so neither O'Donnell nor any other person was able to interview her or get her viewpoint.

Ironically, given O'Donnell's work on the breakout, the film ends just as the groups are leaving the bunker complex of the Reich Chancellery, and there is never any explanation given for the flamboyant caviar scene.

Cast

In a short scene at the beginning of the film, a younger O'Donnell is played by actor James Naughton. O'Donnell himself provided brief voice-over narrations at the beginning and end of the film.

Anthony Hopkins won an Emmy for his portrayal of Adolf Hitler. Actors on the set claimed his performance was so convincing that those playing German soldiers snapped to attention whenever Hopkins came onto the set, even if he wasn't in character.

Actors Michael Sheard (Himmler) and Tony Steedman (Jodl) reprised their characters from the 1973 British television film The Death of Adolf Hitler.

Awards

The film was critically acclaimed, as the list of honors shows:

Won:

Nominated:

See also

Downfall, 2004 film

References

  1. ↑ J. O'Connor, John (January 27, 1981). "TV: 'Bunker,' On Hitler's Last Days". The New York Times.

External links

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