RIP: Bruno Ganz

[Judge]

One of Europe's best known actors has died at age 77. A man of many parts, one of his best known roles was playing the part of Adolf Hitler in the film "Downfall".

'Downfall' Actor Bruno Ganz Dies at 77

 

[Catana]

I never even heard of the Hitler series, since I haven't watched tv in many years. I was an admirer of Ganz long before that, one of the rare actors who inspires you to go deeply into the roles they play.

 

[Judge]

I never even heard of the Hitler series, since I haven't watched tv in many years. I was an admirer of Ganz long before that, one of the rare actors who inspires you to go deeply into the roles they play.

Actually "Downfall" was a 2004 feature film released in Germany- not a television mini series.

For some reason I always remembered Bruno Ganz in a bit part as a genetics scientist in "The Boys From Brazil" (1978). When he was enthusiastically explaining to a character played by Laurence Olivier the wonders of the possibilities involved with human cloning.

Where Olivier's character soberly explains just who in this instance was being cloned.

"Not Mozart. Not Picasso. Not a genius who would enrich the world. But a lonely little boy with a domineering father, a customs officer who was 52 when he was born. And an affectionate doting mother who was 29. The father died when he was 65 when the boy was nearly 14..... Adolf Hitler."