I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

I first read Fatherland almost 30 years ago, since which it has ranked one of my Top 10 books of all time. When it comes to watching movies based on books I have read, I try not to compare, and remain open minded, judging each on its individual merits. I really don't want to be that guy, the one who bemoans, "the book is much better than the film" but in this case, I have to lower myself to this obvious criticism. The problem here is that the book stands on its twists and turns and its gradual unveiling of the truth behind the narrative, without which, you are left with little more than an interesting premise and a barely entertaining story line. I understand that faithfully recreating the intricacies within the pages would likely result in a somewhat epic movie but rather that than this watered- down, shallow representation of a fantastic book. It seems barely worth the effort. Maybe one day, this novel will be given the treatment it rightly deserves, although with the recent slew of "if the Third Reich had prevailed" story lines in recent shows, Fatherland may not seem quite as unique as it once did.

an interesting alternative history theme. not bad performances. but a not convincing film. not for the story itself - it could be accepted with the small sins. but for the strange atmosphere. as result of not the best knowledge of details. it is the sort of film who could be provocative. who impose the way to the library for examine the roots of this if... . but "Fatherland" has the bad luck to be only a sort of crime film. decent but out of the history. sure, names, uniforms, suggestions. but nothing more. and this represents , in fact, the fall of a great opportunity to give a great film.

This is a great film, The plot follows the novel throughout but some Christian and western influence is added. This spoils the tag line from my opinion.Comparing this film with the novel might not be fair. The novel is great and this film is also, but in different way.The visual effects are great as well as the acting. 60s Nazi Reich spirit is captured well. The Third Reich painted in the film is credible, and very nice attention is paid to the details.I'd suggest watching this film first and then reading the Robert Harris' novel. That way you'll get the best of the both.I've been waiting for about ten years to see the filmation, and this was a bit of a disappointment. Seeing the Auschwitz death camps in person last year was a shocking experience. They're preserved in extraordinary way by the Polish. I'd suggest all the viewers to visit the survived concentration and extermination camps and feel the "spirit" of the Nazi Germany. It's a life-changing experience for you even if you are a extreme right believer or a person interested in the history.The movie alone 9/10, compared to the novel 6/10.

A great book has been completely desecrated by this movie. The filmmakers have created a sort of 'soap opera thriller' that has absolutely nothing to do with the outstanding novel it is supposed to be based on. Where are the wonderfully described murky atmospheres of the book, the gray shades of everyday life in post WW2 Nazi Germany that are so vivid in the book you can feel them, they are almost palpable. Where is the suspense, where is the thriller?Unfortunately, none of this is present in the movie, which spends far too much time in explaining to the viewers that R. Hauer is a good Nazi, showing him being a good father to his kid, etc... The film lacks also in pace, it lacks credibility (the depiction of the Nazis, the SS, the Gestapo, etc. is nothing less than grotesque, totally unreal), it seems as if the director actually never even read the book... And then the ending to top it all off... What a pity. Maybe someone in the future will attempt a second filming of this novel with better success. Let's hope so...