This German film respectfully but unexceptionally celebrates the failed attempt by Georg Elser (Christian Friedel) to assassinate Hitler in Munich in November 1939 with a homemade bomb. Director Oliver Hirschbiegel (‘Downfall’, ‘Diana’) moves between Elser’s interrogation by Nazi officers, who won’t believe he acted alone, and scenes involving his political awakening in mid-1930s rural Germany.
The earlier village section is mildly interesting, as Elser finds himself increasingly alienated from and angered by the swelling Nazi regime. But the later, post-arrest scenes are oddly repetitive and unilluminating. ‘13 Minutes’ suffers from having too many potential points of interest (including a clandestine romance between Elser and a neighbour), none which emerge as the dramatic heart of the film. It’s an important story, of course, but only mildly engaging as cinema.
13 Minutes

Time Out says
It may be from the director of 'Downfall', but don't expect this far less riveting Hitler-themed drama to spark a classic online meme
Release Details
- Release date:Friday 17 July 2015
- Duration:114 mins
Cast and crew
- Director:Oliver Hirschbiegel
- Cast:
- Christian Friedel
- Katharina Schüttler
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