Anthony Hopkins won a Primetime Emmy Award for this portrayal of Adolph Hitler during the final weeks of his life in “The Bunker.” Hopkins played the infamous dictator as sometimes depressed, sometimes in denial, sometimes feeling betrayed, but always being justified in his Third Reich “mission” to the very end.
Director George Schaefer (“Mayflower: The Pilgrims’ Adventure” 1979) kept the made-for-television movie on track, not glorifying this madman responsible for the death of millions, just letting the situation speak for itself. The marvelous teleplay by John Gay was adapted from James P. ODonnell’s 1975 book of the same name.
The supporting cast includes Richard Jordan as Albert Speer, Cliff Gorman as Joseph Goebbels, Susan Blakely as Eva Braun, and Piper Laurie as Magda Goebbels. The book’s author O’Donnell appeared as an American reporter investigating Hitler’s last days, essentially playing himself. Other co-stars include Michael Kitchen, Julian Fellowes, and Martin Jarvis.
“The Bunker” from executive producer David Susskind and Time-Life Productions was broadcast on the CBS television network on January 27, 1981. Besides Anthony Hopkins’ Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Special, “The Bunker” was also nominated for two other Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Special (Piper Laurie) and Outstanding Film Sound Mixing.
The Bunker (1981)
cinema
My Review
Anthony Hopkins won a Primetime Emmy Award for this portrayal of Adolph Hitler during the final weeks of his life in “The Bunker.” Hopkins played the infamous dictator as sometimes depressed, sometimes in denial, sometimes feeling betrayed, but always being justified in his Third Reich “mission” to the very end.
Director George Schaefer (“Mayflower: The Pilgrims’ Adventure” 1979) kept the made-for-television movie on track, not glorifying this madman responsible for the death of millions, just letting the situation speak for itself. The marvelous teleplay by John Gay was adapted from James P. ODonnell’s 1975 book of the same name.
The supporting cast includes Richard Jordan as Albert Speer, Cliff Gorman as Joseph Goebbels, Susan Blakely as Eva Braun, and Piper Laurie as Magda Goebbels. The book’s author O’Donnell appeared as an American reporter investigating Hitler’s last days, essentially playing himself. Other co-stars include Michael Kitchen, Julian Fellowes, and Martin Jarvis.
“The Bunker” from executive producer David Susskind and Time-Life Productions was broadcast on the CBS television network on January 27, 1981. Besides Anthony Hopkins’ Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Special, “The Bunker” was also nominated for two other Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Special (Piper Laurie) and Outstanding Film Sound Mixing.