"Valkyrie" Box Office Numbers
December 27, 2008 by Julie Bonner
Tom Cruise’s “Valkyrie” was shown in 2,711 theaters on Christmas Day and ended up bringing in $8.5 million. It grabbed the number 4 spot underneath “Marley & Me”, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Bedtime Stories”.
According to People.com, reviews are mixed for Tom’s performance as Claus von Stauffenberg. Here’s what some news agencies and other media are saying about Tom Cruise in “Valkyrie”:
Fox News: Called Tom’s performance “awful” (shocking!). They say that his profile as one of the best actors in the world is detrimental to the film. Fox news never has anything nice to say about Tom, so this review comes as no surprise to me.
The Associated Press: “He’s distractingly bad. The iconography of his celebrity so strongly overshadowing his performance.”
The Seattle Times: “Tom Cruise the movie star never disappears into Claus von Stauffenberg the brilliant military man.”
The New York Times: Tom’s performance was “fine, typically energetic performance in a film that requires nothing more of him than a profile and vigor”. But also says that he was “too modern, too American and way too Tom Cruise to make sense in the role.”
The Washington Post: “Even Cruise, whom many doubted could carry off the aristocratic elan of the blue-blooded von Stauffenberg, manages his part respectably, with a combination of ramrod posture, starched costumes and minimalist acting.”
Los Angeles Times: “The fact that the colonel was likely the most charismatic man in any room, eye patch or not, is something the actor has been able to connect to.”
Did anyone head to the theater to see “Valkyrie”? If so, tell me what you thought about the movie and Tom’s performance.
Source: People.com
Image Credit: Newscom
Why did Tom decide to glorify someone who would have sent off his first wife, his son Connor, and his friends Will and Jada to the gas chambers? I have been reading about Claus von Stauffenberg- he was obsessed with racial purity and a powerful Germany, and wanted to get rid of Hitler because Germany was doing so poorly in the war, not because of the death camps. Did Tom just not bother to research the character (and decided to take the script at face value), or does he secretly sympathize with him? Tom seems to love his son- why would he promote someone who would have executed him for not being Aryan? In his interviews, he talks about researching his roles and being interested in history- what happened???
I am a die hard Cruise fan but I’m setting that aside re my opinion. I’m also setting aside his acting. What I found fascinating was that this is the best PR film for Germany I’ve ever seen.
I am married to a Jewish man who had relatives that either escaped or died in concentration camps. And for that reason and just from a humanitarian viewpoint, I was surprised and intrigued about this story.
It enabled me not to lump all Germans into the ‘Hitler crazed’ category that factually I thought of them as (even if I didn’t verbalize my thoughts).
‘Valkyrie’ gets us to take a look at the fact that 15 known attempts were made on this psycho’s life and that the German soldiers were not in agreement with the horrendous things their ‘leader’ was engaged in.
In addition to the suspense and intrigue I was entertained, enlightened and educated.
It was well worth the time and money.
It’s for the intelligent movie-goer of which there are millions!
I am really confused as to the post above? I think you are reading too deep into why he chose this role. I don’t think he bases his roles on what a character would have done to his family. I am sure he has his reasons why he chose the role and what motivated him. I think many would agree that he does love his son and it has nothing to do with the roles he takes.
I would love to see the movie along with Pitt’s new movie….hopefully I will have the time.
The decision to topple Hitler weighed heavily on Stauffenberg. Was it right, he asked a relative in mid-1943, to sacrifice the salvation of one’s own soul if one might thereby save thousands of lives? He concluded that it was not only right, but imperative. Around that same time, he told several people, including Margarethe von Oven, a Replacement Army secretary who typed the orders he drafted, that he was consciously “committing high treason.” He added that, faced with such an evil regime, he had to choose between action and inaction, and as an active Christian there could only be one decision.
I think midwestern girl has been reading Fox news too much. She’s as out to lunch as Roger Friedman was with his critique that the uniforms were wrong, based on his primary research conducted in an Indiana Jones picture. Oh dear.
Cruise does just fine in the role I have noticed that many of the ‘professional’ critics are negative to luke warm while most of the man in the street reviews by people who saw the pciture seem to have liked it. Guess who I’m listening to.
Cheers
Colin
I went to see the movie with my husband and we loved it. I was surprised that, even if we both knew the final outcome, obviously, it really was a thriller and kept us glued to the screen. What I loved about the movie is that it doesn’t have all of the added embellishments that Hollywood usually has and it’s my understanding that it was made to reflect historical events in great details. At the beginning, as voicing his diary, Stauffenberg speaks very clearly of his disgust of the genocide of the Jews. So I am not sure where you got the other info, Midwestern Girl, but I think that for every naysayer one should actually look at different sources as well, otherwise one ends up believing just one side. I could not find any information on what you say on any reputable website. I seriously doubt that Tom Cruise would have even considered the role if Stauffenberg had been a proponent of ethnic cleansing. I loved this movie. Even if I knew how it ended, I wanted to believe that it would turn out different. All the actors were superb and I believe everyone should see it if nothing else to know that piece of history.
Boring. Tom Cruise is a stiff in this movie.
My friend son’s comment as good for historical story but Tom Cruise being the main character without a German accent depleted the movie.
I would think that producers, directors wanting to tell a factual German story would have a main character more believable.
Also, this week (21-29 December) beginning Hanukkah (Chanukah) celebration why would the powers that be pick this weekend to open and not Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)in April.
Unfortunately, the public’s prior Tom Cruise rage has filled his head that he’s a great or something actor and that all want to see anything he’ll put out maybe Cruise Production should go more of financial backing & Tom not being in the movie. I’ll be waiting until “Valkyrie” is on DVD, personally Tom’s last really good acting movie “The Last Samurai”.
Have a Gut Yontiff (Good Holiday)!
Just have seeing the movie. Great movie! This is a piece of history that could save and change so many lives. Bryan and all cast did excellent job!
Valkyrie seems to be doing well, and for that I’m really glad, all Toms movies are great ,it’s coming out here on Jan 22nd, and I can’t wait , my husband is also interested in this movie too.
I agree with Kelliquest…comparing Tom’s family to a movie role he decided to take on, why would you even go there? Although Kelliquest said things nicer than I would have….
I hear it is wonderful and Tom is great in it….I am hoping to see it this week.
It was a business decision. The days when Tom Cruise can pick any movie are over. He’s at the mercy of Merrill Lynch and their investors so he does what they tell him to do.
I saw the movie and it was/is a thriller! And, Cruise was very believable and as charismatic as the real aristocrat that he “portrayed” was rumored to have been. Everyone who has doubts should just buy a ticket and become a believer! Tom Cruise is an excellent actor.
D.
My husband and I saw this yesterday and it was very good. I am at a loss as to the negative publicity coming before this movie even opened. See it for yourself, compelling and dramatic and Cruise and all were great.
Here is the latest. Tom’s movie is still on top 4.
1 N Marley and Me $51,675,000 -
2 Bedtime Stories $38,598,000 –
3 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button $39,008,000
4 Valkyrie $30,024,000 -
Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise are no longer at the top of their game, but they did better than expected. Both will probably do much better internationally than in the US.
New mags come out every Monday and in one of them there was a lovely pic of Tom Bella and Connor at the Valkyrie premier in LA, the kids are hugging him there were also pics of Tom Katie and Suri walking down the street in NY which I have never seen either.
Since the movie purportedly doesn’t show much of the evil Naziism, isn’t it just another Hollywood history rewrite?? I mean people these days believe what is in the movies to a great extent. Look at the Da Vinci Code, the recent Daniel Boone movie that Billy Bob was in which totally rewrites true events.
It looks like we have another Golden Compass on our hands, except that this one is going to flop in Europe, where Cruise is roundly despised. I fail to understand why some people are thinking that this movie is going to be good for Cruise, as it is already a critical failure, and it’s pretty sure to be a financial failure as well.
Just saw the movie and wanted to respond to concerned mom. It ISN’T a rewrite. They don’t deny any of the evils of Hitler’s regime. It is exactly those evils that drives this group of people (civilians and soldiers) to attempt to rid the world of Hitler. Members of the group involved had been planning for years, but lacked the opportunity. Hitler was notoriously paranoid. Anyway, if you want a movie that shows the evils watch Schindler’s List. I believe the director and producers were working on the understanding that most people KNOW how evil the NAZI’s were and did not need to take up valuable time revisiting this.
Might as well ask why didn’t Saving Private Ryan show any of the deathcamps? It wasn’t a part of the story.
While I think Cruise’s personal life is a trainwreck, I try to give a movie like this the benefit of the doubt given the rest of the cast and subject matter. It paid off. This was a very taught suspense thriller that tells the story of a few very brave people who gave their lives to stop one of the most evil men the world has ever known.
I am more than confused about the reviews above. In reading these critiques I have gathered a couple of possible conclusions. A). Women do not research history as much as men, and relatively do not care about historical accuracies, or B) Men are just jealous that women are still flocking to go see Tom Cruise in any movie he makes, regardless of his acting abilities.
All the men had made remarks regarding the historical reference (time and place), while all the women remarked based on feelings and emotions. Men are from Mars, and Women are from Venus. The Venusians must truly be a strong race, since the majority of them speak of “taking” taking their poor husbands to see this movie.
I myself find this movie irresponsibly released, and irresponsibly made. Are we just watching any ‘ol movie just because it comes out on Christmas?
To the “Professor”, I would like to know if you’ve seen this film? Your first 2 paragraphs made sense given the majority of posted comments. However, you lost me with your last statements. You changed your tack and made claims of irresponsibility, but didn’t clarify what you meant by these statements.
For me, the movie is far more important than Cruise or it’s release date, and not because it came “out on Christmas”, but because it may lead to a greater knowledge of the subject matter. The groups organized against Hitler had worked for years so that Germany would become the country it finally is today. Yes, the stain of Hitler still permeates the society, but we were no better to the native Americans in our program of genocide (wiping out their food sources, placing them on barren reservations to starve and giving them blankets of smallpox).
Good people make their country great by looking at the mistakes of the past, learning from them and moving forward with pride in the good things they’ve accomplished and will accomplish.
Stauffenberg and his group (or the group that took him in, more precisely) knew this and realized the legacy Germany would be left if they had done nothing.
Sorry for rambling, but I don’t give a toss about Cruise. The subject matter and telling of this story are what matters and from my reading of this subject, they did a good job of condensing this tale into a watchable film.
Happy New Year to all.
Oh kearnypete,
Since you have such a vast knowledge of history, it appears that we might have all have benefited from your wisdom had you just been an on-site consultant for this “oh-so wonderful” film.
Plus it appears that you have a lot to say. Maybe Tomkatcrazy is not the best venue for you to express all of your worldly concerns.
Dearest “Professor”
I deeply apologize for having offended your delicate sensibilities. I was merely curious about your liberal use of the word irresponsible and meant no offense. However, as you are given to meeting curiosity with condescension and derision when met with a simple inquiry I will withdraw my question.
I merely came to this site when searching for the box office results of this film. Once I read some of the critiques I felt the desire to defend this worthy effort. No, the film is not great, but the story was worthy of telling and this work was a decent attempt.
I was then simply hoping that someone who labels themselves as a “professor” would disagree. You in turn chose to use sarcasm instead of your “vast knowledge”
Again, please forgive the obvious affront to your intellect.
don’t let the naysayers prevent you from seeingi this excellent movie. the criticism is mostly a bias against cruise, who is good if not great. casting is fine, maybe not inspired, but fine. story could not have been more suspenseful. all movies should be as well and tightly constructed.
A great movie, no doubt. Casting is just fine. Entertaining and very educational; certainly better than most movies coming out these days. Naysayers are being proven incorrect by the box office numbers.
Awesome film! I think it’s going to do really well on the international box office. German’s all think Cruise is a bloomin’ hero reincarnated! Three cheers for a man who’s got guts!