Downfall (2004) – Filming Locations
Drama / History / War · Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel · Starring Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara
In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Russian Army closing in from the east and the Allied Expeditionary Force attacking from the west. In Berlin, capital of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his generals and advisers to fight to the last man. When the end finally does come, and Hitler lies dead by his own hand, what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin, and lay down their arms in surrender.
Where was Downfall filmed?
- Berlin, Germany, Berlin – Hitler's final days in the bunker during the fall of Berlin. The majority of the film is set in and around the actual bunker complex; reconstructed sets were built based on the historical architecture to recreate the claustrophobic underground headquarters
- Berlin, Germany, Berlin – Battle scenes and destruction of Berlin during the Soviet advance. The heavily damaged Reichstag and streets around it were filmed to depict the final Soviet assault on the city and the chaos of Berlin's collapse
- Berlin, Germany, Berlin – Exterior shots of Berlin during the final Soviet bombardment. The iconic landmark and surrounding cityscape were used to establish the devastated landscape of Berlin in April 1945
- Berlin, Germany, Berlin – Scenes of civilians and soldiers evacuating and moving through war-torn streets. The bombed-out neighborhoods of Tiergarten were used to show the urban destruction and desperation of Berlin's final days