Pre-Marketing for Bryan Singer’s Valkyrie has begun to heat up. Last week we brought you a behind the scenes promotional trailer for the film, and this week the official trailer has been unleashed, attached to Lions for Lambs, and available online right now.
Based on true events, Valkyrie tells the story of a scheme hatched by German Generals to assassinate Adolph Hitler at the height of World War II. Tom Cruise plays Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. The film’s cast also includes Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Eddie Izzard, Christian Berkel, Thomas Kretschmann, and Carice van Houten.
Check out the new trailer after the jump.
You can watch the new trailer in High Definition on Yahoo! Movies. You can watch the behind the scenes promo trailer here. Valkyrie hits theaters on June 27th 2008.
November 8th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I want a really, really good reason as to why Tom Cruise sounds like he’s an AMERICAN nazi in this film.
How can they make a historical film like this and not use accents. This blows my mind, I couldn’t take that trailer seriously. Don’t get me wrong I actually like Cruise a lot, but I am unnerved by this.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Better still, speak German. This really should be a German production.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
same here, I’m always discouraged when a movie about another country with a different native language, suddenly happens to speak english?
The visuals are impressive ,but its so Hollywood.
Why can’t they speak German and use subtitles?
It would be a better film for it.
Pathetic.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Good point Clarence. Very good point. Has it been made in germany before I wonder?
November 8th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
actually the movie was set out to be made with german actors until Cruise liked the film, kicked the leading german actor out and produced and starred in this movie.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Looks like Cruise has flop #2 on his hands after this weekend’s Lions for Lambs. You can’t make a movie that is about the Holocaust/Hitler and want it to be a $100mil grossing blockbuster without delivering the blockbuster pyrotechnics and such. You can make a damn good thriller, but that isn’t conveyed here either, and with Cruise attached, it can’t just be Singer’s take on Verhoven’s Black Book.
Poor Cruise.
November 8th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Its a prestige picture, not a potential blockbuster. Cruise seems to be doing more high-bro pictures along with comedies (Hardy Men?) … maybe Valkyrie is meant to be Oscar material.
November 8th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
While I do agree that Cruise picked the project more because of its award potential, and less because of it’s blockbuster potential, one must realize that $80+ million budgets require a little more than a gold statue in return
November 8th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
80 mil? Wow. Didn’t know that. Well then the pedigree Cruise + Singer is supposed to bring in audiences.
November 8th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
@Clarence
Exactly, as Peter noted. I’m all for a Cruise prestige picture and I think this film has promise (won’t be as bad as The Last Samurai), but the budget for this flick is pretty high - I’ve heard $100 million - and the trailer is just not appealing to a wide audience. The Holocaust is always a touchy subject, so you need to present it as either a Schilnder’s List prestige pic (and Cruise/Singer doesn’t scream Spielberg/Neeson) or as a war film with some balls, like a Saving Private Ryan or a Full Metal Jacket. This trailer tries to play in both worlds, and Cruise isn’t strong in that type of film.
Also, Cruise obviously thought Lions For Lambs and Valk were sure-shot money makers and prestige pics, b/c he’s launching his new studio deal/UA with them. Lions For Lambs is already a bomb, but this is more surprising. The accents will throw off those who like historical films and high brow fare, and the generic shots of old school airplanes aren’t going to lure in any action fans who went to see Cruise in the M:I films.
Cruise really needed to come out swinging, but it’s going to be a rocky road, I’ll call it right now, based on this trailer alone.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
you cannot take this picture to serious… cannot be a historical film with Tom Cruise on the lead and it’s even worst after that trailer, seemed liked an ordinary action film. It’s a shame that a good story goes to waste because of Cruise trying to get some prestige…
honestly it’s a shame, to those asking themselves “what should be the proper tone and setting for this movie?” check Der Untergang. That’s an excellent and serious historical film.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
What? What are you guys talking about? That was a reallly impressive trailer. And it’s a freakin movie. Who cares if its not spoken in German. If you guys can suspend your disbelief that a man can fly and that people can fight each other with giant laser swords, then certainly you can handle the fact the film is in english.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:05 am
@ Rob
This is an historical film based on actual events, not sure if people were flying in the 40’s in capes battling with lazer swords.
It’s bad enough that it has no german accents in it but an American accent for a lead GERMAN character is just retarded. If cruise rates himself so highly why not learn how to do a german accent!!! For fucks sake, give me $20M and I’ll give you the best damn German accent you’ve ever heard. I think it could have been an awesome movie but just because of the accent I hope this flops.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:29 am
I’m glad to see Hitler is making a ‘comeback’ in pop culture.I think he got a ‘bad rap’.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Tom Cruise as a Nazi? Why on earth does Hollywood have to ruin ever premise for a movie by throwing in a bad overpaid actor who doesnt have an accent. I am so sick of hollywood just trying to sell instead of actually make a good story. So sick of it. The only reason they put Cruise on this movie is to make big bucks. That is it. Only it.
November 9th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Why not have it in German and then dub it? Oh yeah, because people are too stupid to read.
November 9th, 2007 at 11:26 am
I will never take Tom Cruise seriously ever again. The only role he plays perfectly is the one of a nut job in the media. It’s the only one I will like him for.
He should make a mockumentary of himself. That would work.
November 9th, 2007 at 11:51 am
I boycott all Tom Cruise films, so I’ll be seeing neither.
November 9th, 2007 at 11:53 am
I usually do not comment on web pages, but being a German myself, I think I might have a valid opinion on this whole “accent” business. I always thought it sounds a bit retarded when American actors attempt to speak with a German or Russian accent.
I can understand, when accents are used as a tool in a movie to distinguish between someone speaking English and someone speaking a different language…
That said, this particular movie takes place in Germany with all characters being Germans, since we do not speak German with an accent, I think it is more ‘authentic’ to have an actor speak w/o an accent, which leaves two options - German with subtitles, and English. For an $80mil movie to go with subtitles would make no business sense what so ever. You know they make those movies to make money, right?!
November 9th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I can’t see this movie making any real money because those who actually like Cruise (I’m not one of them) typically like to see him in his generic movie roles. I’ve never understood the draw of Cruise. I personally find him boring and uninteresting. Rarely have I gone to the theater to see a movie he’s in, usually I wait for DVD or until it’s on cable, if I see it all.
The only reasons I was considering seeing this movie is because I’m a fan of Singer and the supporting cast is wonderful - I’m a huge fan of Kenneth Branagh. However after this trailer I’m completely turned off. The production looks wonderful, but the moment Cruise is on screen I loose interest from the trailer he doesn’t seem believable and looks completely out of place. All I see is the same smug look on his face when he’s trying to play some serious role.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
The whole accents thing is hit-or-miss. Look at Memoirs of a Geisha. We had Chinese actresses playing Japanese and deliberately speaking Japanese accented English. But they can’t really speak American or British accented English either, because that’d be even more incongruos.
Typically, a Brit accent is used for eras past … or fantasy worlds. Maybe it just sounds ‘right’.
Anyhow, its better than cavemen speaking English in 10,000 bc. But then again, that movie isn’t meant to be taken as serious history whereas this is. The Germans have made some great WWII films like Downfall. But oh well, its Hollywood talent and money this time round.
I hink this could pull in a decent box office haul, if the appeal of the picture goes beyind Cruise. I notice Cruise isn’t heavily advertised in the trailer - at least not something like “Tom Cruise in …. Valkyrie”
November 9th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
I’m actually really excited to see this movie. I thoughit that the trailer was appealing and I’m definitely going to go see this when it hits theaters.
The period in history is interesting and due for another big-budget hollywood treatment. They have a great cast, strong production, and don’t seem to be buying into the usual war genre. Tom Cruise is a good actor with an unfortunate public persona,but that doesn’t mean he can’t carry a movie. In fact, I think think this movie will do well. We all know its had a ton of publicity already just from the media coverage of its filming in Germany.
November 9th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
I laugh at people that boycott Cruise films.
November 10th, 2007 at 3:34 am
This trailer is farcical and laughable. I actually wrote something on another site about this looking awful for many of the same reasons stated here before I even read the other comments on this page. Tom Cruise is playing the same character with the same mannerisms, as usual, and beyond that, any historical accuracy or believability is totally lost by the absolutely shoddy treatment of linguistic issues (nothing to even make us believe that this has something to do with German-speaking people or Germany other than the costumes). As a linguistics minor in university, I study the power of language in various settings and I think that any power and legitimacy this film may have had is entirely lost, largely because of the language issue, though that’s not the only reason. Besides, Bryan Singer? That alone tells me this movie is going to watch more like a campy comic book flick rather than legitimate historical/political action/suspense. It’s another big budget film that is trying to make a buck (make no mistake; winning awards is only means to making more money for these people) and clearly doesn’t care for or respect that actual subject matter or content of the film. This WILL be a disappointment.
November 10th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I personally think that the trailer looks good, although it does make the film look very action-packed and mission-impossible-like with big one-liners, like “We must kill Hitler”. My guess is that this is just the way they are marketing it at the moment. I have a feeling the film itself will be a lot less obvious and bombastic in tone.
I tend not to trust trailers too much, because with any film with a hint of suspense and action, suddenly gets marketed heavily on this, and less on the acting and story.
I’m sure Cruise will fit the bill. Does anyone else think he looks younger in this trailer, than his other most recent films?
November 11th, 2007 at 9:49 am
What? As I am from Germany I have to say a german accent would have been just ridiculous!
November 11th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
I am more concerned about Tom Cruise’s alleged acting ability. I for one am a fan of most of his action movies, but in a movie like this that the rest of the cast seems to be speaking in an english accent and him speaking normally (American)…I wonder where the real acting is on his part. I am sure most actors that are supposed to be of his caliber or rank would have taken time to do some phonics or voice training for the role. This alone takes so much away from the film…I would rather be reading captioned text and listening to German voice-overs than this. Or at the very least an English accent to fit in with the rest of the cast…based on this trailer.
Looks like a good quality film just got robbed by one actors inability to act.
November 11th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Okay I’m going to defend Cruise here and every other cast member about the accents thing-
-I have read that the Director Byran Singer decided not to use German accents in the film, not Tom Cruise or any other actor.
Just get rid of the bloody British accent, which sounds more out of place then an American one, No? (Yes I’m blaming someone else other then Tom Cruise for having a accent).
-Cruise did not decide to get rid of all the German actors, whoever wrote that is lying for some reason.
-This is not the first movie to feature non accented english set in another country.
-And YES there are numerous German/Austrian what have you films (and docos) about Stauffenberg and the July 20 Plot. I’ve seen one (TV movie recently).
But how many people before this trailer had actually heard of Stauffenberg, seriously?? I mean before a quick google that is before posting about it. I bet the average joe would have no clue about who Stauffenberg was.
I no I hadn’t.
November 16th, 2007 at 10:15 am
If you want Tom Cruise to speak German, just watch the German trailer:
http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/video/clip/kino/2007/11/walkuere.html
November 16th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Hey Nick!
Thanks for the link!
I don’t think I’ll go to see this in the theaters ,but I would rent the dvd if it did have German language with english subtitles.
Granted Tom Cruise isn’t that great as the people he surrounds himself with ,but it feels right to have the original language.
At least make the “Hunt For Red October” approach, for 5 minutes use the native language then use english.
I’m tired of slamming Hollywood and by the films I’ve seen I don’t think I’ll be stopping anytime soon. There needs to be a change in the films being made!
November 17th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
German trailer was an improvement, but can
you imagine if the Germans had made this film?
Das Boot, Stalingrad and Downfall are tough
acts to follow. Do Germans really need
assistance recreating their own history for the
big screen?
November 25th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Germans should consider themselves “lucky”, then this stripe is anyway going to be dubbed into german…
December 13th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Highnoon and lily have valid points: I have noticed that foreign set films are done in the accent of the actor with the idea that to “fake” an accent is worse than just telling the story, (as if we are to pretend that a German ACCENT equates the German LANGUAGE!).
subtitles would be fine, but is the story then lost?
I’d like to see the script: there were a lot of civilians involved in that (not the least, Christian apologist Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Germany’s CS Lewis). That would diminish the “thriller without a point” aspect of the production.
Maybe they’ll see these posts and add German subtitles for Americans! :-)
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Perhaps the reason Hollywood choose to make the movie in English without the presence of accents was in order to appeal to the American at large. It would of been nice if Germany was in charge of this project, but if it had been, it would not have driven Americans to see it, even if it reached the big screen in the states. America is proud of its film industry, and supports it zealously.
January 10th, 2008 at 5:06 am
I think Tom Cruise is totally unsuited to playing Count von Stauffenberg for many reasons. One, von Stauffenberg was a tall man whereas Cruise is short and does not suit uniform! Of course a “name” is needed to carry the film, but Cruise? No way. The cast is good, and it’s good to see Carice van Houten on the list.
The 1944 plot to kill Hitler has been filmed at least twice in Germany, one recent version starred Sebastian Koch as von Stauffenberg. This is a German, subtitled production.
I would watch Valkyrie out of sheer curiosity, but think Cruise has another flop on his hands, as was commented on earlier by someone else.
January 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Tom Cruise has lost his mind, plain and simple. He and David Miscavage should enjoy there private times in the Captains Quarters on the Flag Ship at Gold Base (only Scientologists are going to get that comment).
I hope everything that L. Ron Hubbard has influenced or created fails miserably. Think about the fact that only one country on this planet view Scientology as an outright evil….Germany.
What better way to attempt to change perceptions than to have Scientology’s poster boy play a German hero.
I’m all for religious freedom, but I know a cult when I see one and so does Germany. Anyone who has reached OT3 and the Wall of Fire in Scientology is a complete numbskull. Believe in whatever you want, but when it rips apart families and cons people of their money…sick.
I really do hope people boycott this film, not only cause of Cruise, but plainly because it looks awful.
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Back when I was in my teens, I saw Top Gun, Risky Business & whatnot, and TC was fairly believable in those. But I just haven’t found him appealing for decades. This trailer certainly doesn’t change that — it IS really jarring to have all those British accents, then Tom Cruise speaking in his usual way, with his usual emphases, and his usual expressions — I just can’t buy it!
It’s a disappointment for me, because I love Bryan Singer, and I’m sorry he got saddled with Cruise for what could’ve been a great project. It is what it is, and so far, it looks like a bomb to me. One person’s opinion!
March 6th, 2008 at 11:10 am
idont know whats wrong with TC why every body attacking him ?suddnely all american people became relegiost and hate another relegiouns i mean many others in hollywood have changed thier sects why tom exactly ? specially that he has been a scientologist for nearly 2 decades so why now?