Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Commentary (films not included). Pages: 26. Chapters: Decision Before Dawn, Valkyrie, Inglourious Basterds, The Night of the Generals, Sophie Scholl - The Final Days, Swing Kids, Escape to Athena, Aimee & Jaguar, The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel, The Inglorious Bastards, Rosenstrasse, The Plot to Kill Hitler, Die Stunde der Offiziere, Jackboot Mutiny, Die Weisse Rose, Underground, Stauffenberg, Der 20. Juli. Excerpt: Valkyrie is a 2008 American historical thriller film set in Nazi Germany during World War II. The film depicts the 20 July plot in 1944 by German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to use the Operation Valkyrie national emergency plan to take control of the country. Valkyrie was directed by Bryan Singer for the American studio United Artists, and the film stars Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, one of the key plotters. The cast included Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Eddie Izzard, Terence Stamp and Tom Wilkinson. Cruise's casting caused controversy among German politicians and members of the von Stauffenberg family due to the actor's practice of Scientology, which is viewed with suspicion in Germany. Because of this, the film makers initially had difficulty setting up filming locations in Germany, but they were later given access to film in locations pertaining to the film's story, such as Berlin's historic Bendlerblock. German newspapers and filmmakers supported the film and its attempt to spread global awareness of von Stauffenberg's plot. The film changed release dates several times, from as early as June 27, 2008 to as late as February 14, 2009. The changing calendar and poor response to United Artists' initial marketing campaign drew criticism about the studio's viability. After a positive test screening, Valkyries release in North America was ultimately changed to December 25, 2008. United..