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Perhaps you've seen the controversy over Tom Cruise's portrayal of Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg in the upcoming movie Valkyrie. If you recall your World War II history, Stauffenberg was the figure who double-crossed Hitler and tried to assassinate him by placing a bomb underneath a table at a meeting.Some people say that Tom Cruise shouldn't portray this character, who is supposedly held in high regard in Germany as a German who tried to stop Hitler. The feelings against Cruise is because of his belief in Scientology, which some claim is exploitative. Here's the story: Cruise starts filming anti-Hitler drama amid German uproarMy question - do you think that these Germans are right in their thinking that their hero shouldn't be played by someone involved with Scientology? Or do they have no right to complain?
They have a right to complain and not go to see the movie, and Cruise has a right to practice Scientology and earn a living. 🙂
From a entertainment point of view I think It's a miscast, I like cruise as an actor but not in this, Though Far and Away was good. But from the Germans point of view I agree. He's a national hero, they disagree with Cruise' personal decsions, what if another country placed an actor in the role of Washington that we felt took away from the man he was?
I agree with Donnie's view and part of Stumpfoot's view. I think he has a right to act in the movie regardless of his religion/belief and I think it's rather surprising for Germans to complain about this. I thought that they would be the kind to be more accomodating to minority belief systems. But it could be that Tom Cruise isn't the best for this part. At least I can't really envision it at this stage. I would almost think that someone like a Paul Giamatti-type would be better (although he seems to be used more in supporting roles). I also think that if some foreign film company decided to cast an actor as Lincoln I wouldn't have any problem with it unless they tried to twist history in the storyline. True, the movie could flop if they cast the wrong actor, but this could be the case with any movie. If they some day decided to cast Christopher Walken as George Washington, the movie might turn out really bad but I don't think I'd have anger at Christopher Walken; rather, I'd think that the director/producer just did a really bad job in casting the movie.
Well it appears the filming of the movie may be underway already.Nazi planes fly over village for Cruise film
It is illegal to display Nazi symbols in public in Germany, although filmmakers and theatrical companies are exempted.
Interesting. I wonder if the Germans used the "I hateTom Cruise" excuse (not that I blame them for that ;D) as just an excuse to prevent the filming of a movie with Nazi symbols.
I want to see the film, the previews make it look good. I agree that Cruise should have been allowed to make the movie. The Germans have outlawed scientology ruling it a cult and they have a visceral dislike for it.Incidentally, I went to the Bendlerstrasse a few years ago. Col. von Stauffenbergs office is now part of a museum dedicated to the Germans who resisted Hitler and Nazism. There is a large section about the July 20 plot and also a section devoted to the Wjite Rose and the Scholl's. There is also a monument in the courtyard on the location where some of the plotters were shot. It is a good museum and worth seeing if you go to Berlin. They have a website here:Museum der Deutscher Widerstand
http://www.silobreaker.com/DocumentReader.aspx?Item=5_942124804"Cruise Conquers Germany"Not bad Tom, now if only you could stop schlepping Scientology! Anyone remeber reading "Dianetics" way back when?It all sounds so convincing until you get to where Hubbard's hypnotists are your only salvation.
Has anyone seen this yet?And yes, Dianetics sounds really good until you get to the really flaky parts towards the end. But it was all the rage when I was in high school.All I can say is curse those Thetans for not spreading the wealth more evenly. I look supsiciouly at any religion that wants positively huge monetary contributions from its members in return for advancement in the faith.On an unrelated note, when I was in Rome a few years ago I was surprised to discover that the Catholic church is still selling indulgences. This is a practice I had thought stoppped a few hundred years ago, but we happened upon a cathedral where you could purchase an indulgence. I was so surprised I took a picture of the sign, which I cannot find any more.
Tom Cruise is just another punk from Louisville,KY………………………..oops, I think I just outted myself with this statement. 🙂
Is he really from Louisville? With a lot of these celebrities you forget where they came from…but it seems like they often come from fly-over country.
Saw the first preview for this movie last night on German TV. It looks good but it doesnt open over here until the 22nd of January. I am probably going to have to wait for it on DVD becasue my wife jas ruled out my son seeing it. I dont get this, my son has actually been to the Bendlerstrasse and seen the place where he was shot. I think I have already mentioned that it is now a museum to German resistance to the Nazis.
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