There is a “realistic” WW2 movie that Brits can watch on Netflix and fans have hailed it as “haunting” and “extremely touching”. The Second World War is a genre of its own when it comes to movies to stream at home and some have near-perfect scores and reviews. One of them is available on Netflix and was originally released in 2004. It ranks high on film site IMDB’s list of the most realistic World War Two movies ever made.
Before the Fall is set in Germany during World War 2 and follows a young man who lands in an elite Nazi school thanks to his impressive boxing skills. Against his father’s wishes, he enrolls in the school but soon learns that it is not what he expected, uncovering the dark truths behind what he once viewed as an ideal gateway to a better life. While the film was released more than 20 years ago, it remains one that viewers praise for its performances and gripping storyline.
On the review site Rotten Tomatoes, Before the Fall has a score of 67 per cent, with some people blown away by it and others not so impressed. However, IMDb rates it as one of the most realistic depictions of the period of WW2.
The film stars a young Max Riemelt, who fans might know from Netflix shows like Sense8. Other cast members include Tom Schilling, Devid Striesow and Jonas Jägermeyr.
Among the reviews of this film are ones that call it “top-notch” and “extremely touching”. One reviewer wrote: “This is a powerful film with excellent performances from its young cast – some moving and nuanced work which adds to the overall impression of the destruction and corruption of youth. The story it tells is, perhaps, not so well known to many but the message and the construction are meaningful and integrated.”
Another called it “a great movie to show how the Nazis brainwashed their youth until they started to think for themselves” while another described it as “a strong movie about the hard training to become Hitler’s finest”.
A fourth wrote: “A beautiful and well told story! Beside the personal story it tells the story of every man. We accept certain things to reach our goal – but at some point you have to stop up and see what you are becoming.”
Another commented: “This is a great movie, everyone should see it in my book, some of the starkest scenes I’ve seen in a while.”