Valkyrie (DVD)

Valkyrie (2008) starring Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson. During World War II, there were 15 attempts within Germany to assassinate Adolph Hitler. This movie tells the story of one of them, perhaps the most dramatic one and the one that came closest to success. It's a daring plan, inherently exciting -- but if you have any knowledge of history, you know how it turns out. That is the fatal flaw of an otherwise well-made movie. Cruise's performance is a little flat, but he plays a noble character who attempts a brave deed. It's involving, if a little confusing. Grade: B