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Valkyrie

(2008, Rated PG-13, Thriller, Starring Kenneth Branagh, Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Tense, violent WWII thriller offers lots to talk about.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Extensive discussion of the evils of Nazi Germany, as well as of concepts like treason and ethics. Discussion of the difference between political decisions, military orders, and ethical obligations. Discussion of the Holocaust. The film's protagonist is seen wearing a crucifix and praying.
  • Violence:

    Extensive violence, including war action, bombings, and shootings; near the end of the film, several men are executed on camera by firing squad, hanging, or other means. A bomb is set off in a small meeting room. A man commits suicide with a grenade. A character prepares a suicide capsule as a back-up plan when confronted. Bleeding and bloody wounds. Soem shots of wounded soldiers. Other shots of the lead character's mutilated body and hand with missing fingers. Some shots of a wounded eye in a healed state. Discussion of torture.
  • Sex:

    Some kissing. A statue with nude breasts is seen.
  • Language:

    Language includes one use of "f---ng." Other words include "bastard," the ethnic slur "dago," and "whore."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Extensive, historically accurate smoking. Characters also drink hard alcohol and champagne.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Valkyrie

Parents need to know that this tense World War II thriller based on a true story includes plenty of unflinchingly realistic, bloody violence (both on and off the battlefield), as well as several on-screen executions. The film includes extensive discussion of -- and assumes a certain familiarity with -- the crimes and history of Nazi Germany and could lead to lots of discussion with teens about topics like ethics, following orders, and more. Expect some swearing, drinking, and smoking.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the film's central conflict between political decisions, military procedure, and ethical imperatives. While the men who plotted to kill Hitler were guilty of treason, were they working toward a greater good? Do their ends justify their means? How would the second World War have gone differently if they (or someone else) had succeeded in assassinating Hitler? Families can also discuss the film's use of American and English actors to play German citizens -- a Hollywood tradition, to be sure, but also a curious phenomenon. Does it make the movie less believable? Why or why not?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Valkyrie?
  •  I think this movie is

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See all 26 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Excellent Film

    Except for some violence and one use of f---ing this powerful film is pretty clean.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    On for 10+, Iffy for 8+

    I loved this movie. No one under ten should see it, although this is no real violence, only at the beginning and end of the movie.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    wha...

    i didnt get it... i just dont see why this is all that good

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Excellent movie for adults...."iffy" for children, based on age and emotional maturity

    I know I'm probably going to be slammed for this, but I am going to admit that I watched this movie with my 8 year old son......after he saw Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, he began making statements about "Germans" and "Nazis"---I was repeatedly offended by this, and made a point, as I always do, to emphasize that people should not be judged on race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, etc. and that discrimination to any degree is unacceptable to me. After hearing repeated negative remarks about how "all Germans are killers" and love Hitler--I sat him down to explain that there were many attempts to assasinate Hitler--BY GERMANS!! He couldn't believe his ears. When National Geographic showed a special on Valkyrie (the actual event--not the movie), he watched it with me. I rented it, watched it first without him, and then watched it with him.... I think the message was loud and clear--and PLEASE don't judge me for this--I know 8 may be too young...but I know the personal limitations of my children, and he handled it just fine. We discussed it--and it appears that his streak of discrimination regarding Germans as a whole has ceased.

  5. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    ok for kids

    great movie. the history was correct and my kid loved it (after i explained the entire movie to him in kid version) the was a bit iffy for tween's and some of the swearing was explicit.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    CSM is wrong

    Again CSM reviews are just wrong. I mean theres not that much violence till the end and theres not much blood.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Great Movie. Not that violent.

    Not as violent as said to be. Only 3 or 4 swears. Can't critize excessive smoking, because back then smoking was a part of daily lives. On a scale on Valkyries historical accuracy: 9/10.

  9. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Nevada
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Very interesting movie. I enjoyed the historical aspect of it. The violence was a little harsh, but overall, I enjoyed it.

  10. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Great Suspenseful Thriller

    I got to see this movie back in the cinema in christmas time also seeing a few other movies as well. This one was a great historical thriller that also worked because it was suspensful and had a great story that kept you interested. It may be confusing to younger audinces which is why i dont reccomend it to people who cant pay attention for long. On the other hand there isnt too much to worry about here besides a bit of violence and one F bomb.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Heroic War Epic with great message

    One thing I might be conserned about is that little kids might be confoused on a man disobaying his country.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    War movie with little violence.

    What is commonsense talking about?There is Hardley any violence at all.1 Non Bloody bombing at begining and non bloody exicution at end.Shows heroism.

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    GREAT MOVIE!

    I thought this was a great movie. I easily understood it, but i'm a WWII buff. Might be little hard to understand if you don't know very much about WWII. If only Oberst Claus von Stauffenberg could have actuall killed Hitler.......

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    really good!!

    this movie was pretty good it had some violance and you should brush up on you history befor watching this. it was confusing at times because im only 14 so i didnt understand som of it. it was also kinda sad. but otherwise it was a pretty good movie!!

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    i liked

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0

    Good movie but a little hard to understand for younger children

    This was a good movie. The strong language was not horribal they said the F word once. The violence was nothing horibal. When people die there was not much blood if there was any at all. I read what this site said about sex. I do not remember seeing a nude statue at all. If there is I don't think it would be that intense. I mean its a statue. This was an over all good movie. I would think that some of the things said would be a little hard for younger kids to understand. I would say anyone 12 and up should deffinitally be able to handle it!

  18. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0

    You can't beat real stories... even if you do know the ending

    Great film. Surprising that they don't dwell on why von Stauffenberg was so motivated against Hitler. That way it does avoid graphically revealing the real horror of the Nazi's - relying instead on the narrative to do this. Great acting, well put together. The certificate is very much warranted for the end scenes which although aren't gratuitous do leave you with a heavy heart. I went with my Dad who's in his late 60's and he loved it too - reckoned it was the best film he's seen for ages.

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    To Mr.Stoltmen from David Rab

    Setting: 1944 North Africa, Germany, and Russia Genera: History, Thriller, and Drama Filmmaking 1: I think that director did a very cool job filming this movie. Valkyrie has everything that audience like: action, existent, and silliness, not like other historical movies. Filmmaking 2: Also I think decorators did awesome job too. All of characters looked like they were from 1940’s. All of military character has coppice of real medals on their chest. Plot: First scene is in Africa. It shows Colonel Stauffenberg who write journal. In which he express how he feel about World War II and Hitler. That he makes Germany outcast. On the next day camp in Africa is attacked, enemies slaughter every like a dogs. Stauffenberg was badly injured, he lost one of his eyes, his right hand, and two fingers from his left hand. After his return to Germany General Friedrich Olbricht (played by Bill Nighy) takes him on a special meeting. On this meeting people like him think that Germany will be a better country with out Adolf Hitler. In the meeting, Stauffenberg meets three of the most important figures in the resistance. A Dr. Goerdeler, who will become Chancellor of Germany if some thing will happen to Hitler, a General Beck, who will lead the Armed Forces, and a man named Witzleben. This people ask Stauffenberg to help them. At a later meeting, Stauffenberg suggests they utilize Operation Valkyrie, which is a plan that uses the Reserve Army to keep amongst the Germany country should anything disrupt communications from Hitler, or should Hitler be killed. Stauffenberg rewrites the order to exclude the SS from taking control, which would leave the head of the Reserve Army, General Fromm, in charge of Germany. Over all reaction: This movie was pretty good and I liked it. I watched many movies and I know what is good or bad. I give this movie 8/10, and I recommend watching it.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    To Mr.Stoltmen from David Rab

    Setting: 1944 North Africa, Germany, and Russia Genera: History, Thriller, and Drama Filmmaking 1: I think that director did a very cool job filming this movie. Valkyrie has everything that audience like: action, existent, and silliness, not like other historical movies. Filmmaking 2: Also I think decorators did awesome job too. All of characters looked like they were from 1940’s. All of military character has coppice of real medals on their chest. Plot: First scene is in Africa. It shows Colonel Stauffenberg who write journal. In which he express how he feel about World War II and Hitler. That he makes Germany outcast. On the next day camp in Africa is attacked, enemies slaughter every like a dogs. Stauffenberg was badly injured, he lost one of his eyes, his right hand, and two fingers from his left hand. After his return to Germany General Friedrich Olbricht (played by Bill Nighy) takes him on a special meeting. On this meeting people like him think that Germany will be a better country with out Adolf Hitler. In the meeting, Stauffenberg meets three of the most important figures in the resistance. A Dr. Goerdeler, who will become Chancellor of Germany if some thing will happen to Hitler, a General Beck, who will lead the Armed Forces, and a man named Witzleben. This people ask Stauffenberg to help them. At a later meeting, Stauffenberg suggests they utilize Operation Valkyrie, which is a plan that uses the Reserve Army to keep amongst the Germany country should anything disrupt communications from Hitler, or should Hitler be killed. Stauffenberg rewrites the order to exclude the SS from taking control, which would leave the head of the Reserve Army, General Fromm, in charge of Germany. Over all reaction: This movie was pretty good and I liked it. I watched many movies and I know what is good or bad. I give this movie 8/10, and I recommend watching it.

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