Posted on 02/15/2026 11:23:18 AM PST by MAGA2017
When I was growing up in the 1980s, I often saw old war movies on TV, and in many appeared a certain German actor usually playing a Nazi villain, from 'Where Eagles Dare' to 'Escape to Victory'. I recently discovered that this star, Anton Diffring, is buried only 9 miles from my childhood home, so I decided to make a pilgrimage and find his largely forgotten last resting place and thank him for so many great performances.
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Oh I think they know in 1944 and 1945…. But decided the best way forward was to win and end the war. There’s a whole ‘nother discussion there.
Two other surprising actors who played Hitler similar to Downfall were Alec Guinness in Hitler The Last 10 Days (1973) and Anthony Hopkins in The Bunker (1981). These two were in english so not as authentic on that parameter.
His memoir: “From the Holocaust to Hogan’s Heroes: The Autobiography of Robert Clary”, is a great read. I gave my copy to Lazamataz.
Clary’s (not his real name) family were Polish Jews resident in France. He survived the concentration camp because he was a singer and dancer and told jokes. Germans used him as an entertainer at their parties.
George Sanders and Robert Shaw.
Yes, Tax-chick sent me this wonderful book, and it was a very fun read!
Sort of like in Hogan’s Hero’s?
That aspect came from his real life.
I want to thank you for recommending “Escape From Sobibor”.
A remarkable movie. I am a movie buff, and to my detriment, had never seen it.
I did read the book some years ago, but I readily admit that as I get older, I am a more moved by movies because I can no longer read as I once did. And the movie oddly, had more impact on me than the book did, at least in my memory.
My only criticism, and it isn’t really much, is they did not spend the time to make up the actors appear as if they were all emaciated. But that did not distract me from the power of the movie and the story behind it, and did not detract from the movie overall.
For me, the most moving scene was when the 13 condemned men were forced to pick someone out of the formation of prisoners to be executed with them. How they did that, showing the condemned inmate approaching the person they were going to choose to join them in death, and showing the look on the person’s face when they realized they were going to be chosen.
It really choked me up.
And the fact that, in a Hell on Earth, even as that was, love could even exist...
It was interesting also to note the roles of the Kapos and how they dealt with it. I have read many books on the Holocaust experience, and it is true there were good Kapos and bad Kapos. That was well done the way they showed the moral issues some of them grappled with as a way to survive, and even to save others.
Great movie. Thank you.
Ah yes! He sure was-one of my favorite actors!
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