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Valkyrie: When is Character Defined?

Where will you stand in defining moments?

Valkyrie, directed by Bryan Singer (X-Men, The Usual Suspects, Superman Returns) brings to life the story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the men he rallied around himself in the July 20 plot to assassinate Hitler. This type of movie may only appeal to WW2 and history buffs but I believe that anybody will be inspired by this heroic story. The film is meticulously told detail by detail from the actual events. Although the presentation is somewhat simplistic in style, Singer is still able to wrap in some drama and ratchet the suspense which is quite difficult when the audience already knows what was written in history. The inevitable failure of the assassination is used to the advantage of the movie. As you invest more into these characters the tragedy of their fate grows.

The situation of these men rebelling against orders brings to mind this passage: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." -Romans 13:1-2

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The question I've been asking my friends this past week is, "What would you do if you were living in Nazi Germany during the late 30s and early 40s?" Would you ignore what was going on around you? Would you even kill others if you were put under the gun? And how does “submission to governing authorities” play into this? When I thought of the situation Stauffenberg was placed in, another man came to mind - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German, Christian pastor and theologian. He was a radical and influential Christian figure, who authored such books as The Cost of Discipleship. He was also involved in the German Resistance movement and after being connected to the July 20 plot, was executed in April of 1945, just weeks before the war ended. If a man like Bonhoeffer, who so adamantly believed in following Christ, actively participated in trying to kill a governing authority, how are Christians supposed to understand this? Where does “Do not resist evil” apply? Not just hypothetically living in Nazi Germany, but how would you react if something like this happened today? The fact is, things like this happen everyday. Not on such a grand scale, but we still make choices regarding our integrity, values and stance with God that form our character. I believe your character doesn't hinge upon those defining moments but is merely confirmed by them.

One of the coolest lines in the movie is spoken by General Tresckow (played by Kenneth Branagh): “God promised Abraham that he would not destroy Sodom if he could find just ten righteous men. I have a feeling that for Germany it may come down to one.” He's talking directly to and about Stauffenberg (Cruise). The way he was portrayed in the film definitely makes him out to be a righteous man. The filmmakers decided that what drove his decision was his conscience (which is one of the overarching themes). History tells us that he was devoted to his wife and family and was a God-fearing man. His wife Nina was portrayed as an amazing woman of submission, ready to accept whatever fate her husband decided for their family. Both Stauffenberg and Bonhoeffer defined their character not only in momentous occasions but in the day to day lives they lived.

The actual Claus von Stauffenberg

Needless to say, Stauffenberg and his men do not succeed in the assassination. At the end of the film, Hitler's voice comes on the radio to address his "children" and claims that this foiled assassination attempt was God's providence for him to continue to do His will. This brings up an interesting point. Was it God's will for the assassination attempt to fail? It looks like it. The weather was off that day in July. It was too hot for Hitler to have his meeting in the bunker so they met in a room with windows and the bomb blast was ineffective. What about the fifteen other attempted assassinations or the countless others that were planned? Evil is purposeful. We have to get that. We have to understand that God is always sovereign. We are to trust in Him and obey.

To go back to the original dilemma presented in the film, I believe that if submitting to governing authorities conflicts with submitting to God, the choice is clear. However, you can't expect to make that choice simply when the time comes. The time is now. What shapes your character are the moments that face you now.

The original trailer. It was replaced by a more slick cut that emphasized the movie as a thriller because of negative press. I prefer this one.

Rated PG-13 for violence and brief strong language. Running time: 120 min.

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FoundConviction wrote on January 05, 2009

Title: Oooh

Julian! I really liked how you incorporate a believer's perspective through this. I've heard some reviews from close friends. It's unfortunate that after all that, everyone knew the plan was going to falter. See you around at KAC Media!

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