VALKYRIE

You should see Valkyrie if you want a gripping true story about people who risk everything to oppose evil. The film’s political-thriller structure keeps the suspense high, even though many viewers may know the broad historical outcome. Its strongest quality is its moral seriousness: these men and women understand the danger and still choose to act.

The film is also unusually clean in several areas. It contains no sexual content or nudity, positive references to God and the Bible, and a compelling story of courage and sacrifice. Still, wartime violence includes soldiers killed by gunfire and explosions, characters executed by firing squad, and multiple characters hanged. There is also one obscenity, one profanity, smoking and minor alcohol use.

For older children and adults, Valkyrie is worth the trip.

During World War II, German Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg becomes disillusioned with Hitler and the actions of the SS. After joining a group of military and political leaders who want to stop the war and free Germany and Europe from Nazi tyranny, he helps reshape a contingency plan called “Valkyrie.”

The plan is intended to remove Hitler and key leaders, take control of the government and pursue a new course for Germany. As time runs short, the resistance movement must overcome internal conflict and attempt an act of extraordinary courage.

Four stars means Valkyrie is a captivating, top-notch thriller whose riveting plot carries the film. The twists and turns of back-office politics drive the story, and the filmmakers maintain suspense even when viewers know much of the history.

The production values are top notch, and Bryan Singer’s directing is very sure-handed, at times leading viewers into the thoughts of the characters. Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson are compelling as the plotting generals. The main weakness is that the characters sometimes take a back seat to the plot, with Von Stauffenberg’s personal life shown only briefly. Even so, the story remains gripping and spine-tingling.

Valkyrie expresses a very moral, biblical worldview. Its characters are motivated by the desire to stop evil and restore order to a collapsing society. They know they may lose their lives, but they do not let overwhelming odds keep them from doing what is right.

The film includes positive references to God and the Bible, including a comment that God was willing to spare Sodom if ten righteous people could be found. Another statement says that God chooses who lives and who dies, contrasting that belief with the Norse mythological idea of Valkyries deciding who lives on a battlefield. The film also presents God as the judge of the characters’ actions, rather than the Nazi leaders who might arrest and try them.

The story’s vision of courage and resistance to evil aligns with Scripture’s call to reject evil and pursue what is right. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

Valkyrie is a gripping, well-made story of courage and sacrifice with a strong moral and biblical worldview. Its wartime violence and limited language call for discernment, but older children and adults will find it rewarding. WORTH THE TRIP — OLDER CHILDREN AND ADULTS.