# Valkyrie

> 2008 film by Bryan Singer

**Wikidata**: [Q159054](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q159054)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkyrie_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/valkyrie

## Summary
*Valkyrie* is a 2008 war drama film directed by Bryan Singer that dramatizes the 1944 assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler, known as Operation Valkyrie. The film stars Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and blends historical narrative with biographical elements. It was produced by United Artists and Cruise/Wagner Productions and released in multiple countries throughout 2008 and 2009.

## Key Facts
- Released in 2008, with specific release dates including January 1, 2008; January 22, 2009; and February 19, 2009.
- Directed by Bryan Singer.
- Stars Tom Cruise in the lead role of Claus von Stauffenberg.
- Produced by United Artists (founded February 5, 1919) and Cruise/Wagner Productions (founded July 1992).
- Categorized under war film, drama film, biographical film, and historical film genres.
- Based on the real-life Operation Valkyrie, a German World War II emergency plan.
- Set primarily in Germany, though produced in the United States.
- Official website: [http://valkyrie.unitedartists.com](http://valkyrie.unitedartists.com)
- Wikidata description: "2008 film by Bryan Singer"
- Sitelink count: 52

## FAQs

### What is the film *Valkyrie* about?
*Valkyrie* dramatizes the true story of the 1944 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, known as Operation Valkyrie. The film centers on Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, played by Tom Cruise, who attempts to place a bomb near Hitler in a final effort to end the Nazi regime.

### Who directed and produced *Valkyrie*?
The film was directed by Bryan Singer. It was produced by United Artists, founded in 1919, and Cruise/Wagner Productions, established in July 1992. Both companies are based in the United States and operate within the moving image production and distribution industry.

### What genres does *Valkyrie* belong to?
*Valkyrie* is classified as a war film, drama film, biographical film, and historical film. These classifications reflect its thematic focus on historical events, military conflict, and the dramatization of a real person's actions.

### When was *Valkyrie* released?
The film was released on January 1, 2008, with additional release dates on January 22, 2009, and February 19, 2009.

### Is *Valkyrie* based on a true story?
Yes, the film is based on Operation Valkyrie, a real German World War II emergency plan that was co-opted by German resistance officers to justify the movement of troops in the event of an assassination attempt on Hitler.

### Where can I find more information about *Valkyrie*?
The official website for the film is [http://valkyrie.unitedartists.com](http://valkyrie.unitedartists.com). It is also listed on Wikipedia under the title "Valkyrie (film)" and has a sitelink count of 52, indicating its presence across various online knowledge platforms.

## Why It Matters
*Valkyrie* plays a significant role in bringing awareness to a pivotal moment in World War II history — the failed 1944 assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler. By dramatizing the efforts of German officers like Claus von Stauffenberg, the film highlights internal resistance to the Nazi regime, offering a nuanced portrayal of historical dissent. Its production by major studios and starring a globally recognized actor like Tom Cruise ensured wide international exposure, making it a key cultural artifact in the retelling of World War II history. The film also contributes to the war film and biographical film genres by combining historical accuracy with cinematic storytelling.

## Notable For
- Being a high-profile dramatization of a real-life assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler.
- Featuring a major Hollywood star, Tom Cruise, in a historically grounded role.
- Blending multiple genres: war, drama, biography, and history.
- Being produced by two major American production companies: United Artists and Cruise/Wagner Productions.
- Highlighting the moral complexity of resistance within Nazi Germany.
- Reaching global audiences due to its release in multiple countries and through major distribution channels.

## Body

### History and Production
*Valkyrie* was conceived as a dramatization of Operation Valkyrie, the 1944 plot by German officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler. The film was directed by Bryan Singer and starred Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. It was produced by United Artists, a company founded on February 5, 1919, and headquartered in the United States, and Cruise/Wagner Productions, established in July 1992 and also based in the U.S. The film was categorized under multiple genres: war film, drama film, biographical film, and historical film, reflecting its complex narrative and thematic layers.

### Release and Distribution
The film was released on January 1, 2008, with additional release dates on January 22, 2009, and February 19, 2009. It was distributed by United Artists and promoted through its official website at [http://valkyrie.unitedartists.com](http://valkyrie.unitedartists.com). The film has a sitelink count of 52, indicating its presence across various online encyclopedic and cultural databases.

### Setting and Context
The story is set in Germany during World War II, focusing on the internal resistance movement within the German army. The narrative is grounded in real historical events, particularly the 1944 Operation Valkyrie emergency plan, which was repurposed by resistance officers to legitimize troop movements in the event of a coup. The film explores the tension between historical fact and cinematic dramatization, offering a portrayal of Claus von Stauffenberg’s moral struggle and ultimate decision to act against Hitler.

### Genre and Classification
*Valkyrie* is classified as a war film, drama film, biographical film, and historical film. These classifications reflect its engagement with military history, personal drama, real-life figures, and historical settings. As a biographical film, it centers on the life and actions of Claus von Stauffenberg. As a war film, it deals with the backdrop of World War II. Its historical and dramatic elements combine to offer a compelling narrative that appeals to a wide audience.

### Production Companies
The film was produced by two American companies:
- **United Artists**, founded on February 5, 1919, and headquartered in the United States, is a major moving image production and distribution company.
- **Cruise/Wagner Productions**, established in July 1992, also based in the U.S., contributed to the film’s production.

Both companies operate within the moving image production and distribution industry, and their involvement brought significant production value and global reach to the project.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
*Valkyrie* serves as a lens into a lesser-known aspect of World War II history — the internal German resistance to Hitler. By focusing on the July 20, 1944 plot, the film highlights the moral courage of individuals within the Nazi regime who sought to end Hitler’s rule. This historical context, combined with a high-profile cast and production team, made the film a significant cultural artifact that contributed to public understanding of resistance movements during the war.

### Reception and Impact
The film reached global audiences due to its release in multiple countries and its association with major production houses and a well-known actor. Its classification across multiple genres — war, drama, biography, and history — allowed it to appeal to diverse viewer interests. The film’s portrayal of historical events contributed to its educational and cultural value, making it a reference point in discussions about World War II resistance movements.

### Related Entities
- **Operation Valkyrie**: The real-life emergency plan that forms the basis of the film’s plot.
- **Germany**: The historical setting of the film, with a complex history including the Weimar Republic, Nazi Germany, and post-war periods.
- **United States**: The production base of the film, home to both United Artists and Cruise/Wagner Productions.
- **Film**: Defined as a sequence of images that give the impression of movement, stored on film stock, *Valkyrie* fits this definition as a cinematic work.

### Legacy
*Valkyrie* remains notable for its serious treatment of historical subject matter, its international production values, and its role in bringing lesser-known aspects of World War II history to mainstream audiences. Its classification across multiple genres and its production by major studios ensured its place in both cinematic and historical discourse.

## References

1. filmportal.de
2. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
3. The Movie Database
4. Valkyrie. Rotten Tomatoes
5. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0985699/releaseinfo)
6. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/158984/2009_filmbemutatok_osszes.xls)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. BBC Things
9. [Source](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=valkyrie.htm)
10. IMDb
11. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/valkyrie/)
12. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
13. Online-Filmdatenbank
14. [Source](https://jmkextern.bmb.gv.at/app/detail.aspx?FILID=16410)
15. Bechdel Test Movie List
16. mymovies.it
17. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/7BB0-7A7E-C09A-3D9D-D22F-M)
18. Danish Film Database
19. TheTVDB
20. Trakt.tv
21. FilmVandaag.nl