Amiral Canaris

This is a very fine film, with excellent Otto Hasse as Admiral Canaris, the very German Abwehr Head who was, as we know, one of the anti-Hitler Resistance leaders, as well as impeccable and surgically neat and excellent Wolfgang Preiss as his aid, Colonel Hollem. There are other great German actors taking part in this period drama, with Martin Held as a chilling cold-blooded Nazi General Heydrich. The film is far from being flawless, as two hours aren't enough to cover life of this highly tragic man, who happened to live in Hitler's times, and who chose to fight, not run. There are weaker parts when the movie slides into a typical 50's schmaltzy detective flick, or when very important events are mentioned just as a faint glimpse. Still, in general, this is a very decent anti-war film with slightly skint but still powerful message that often it takes much courage to say No when all scream Yes. The film proves to show this, and manages to depict great decisions and sturdy assureness. Recommended.