Valkyrie
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The Story
Based on actual events, “Valkyrie” stars Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a German officer during World War II who believes Hitler must be stopped. Recruited by a group of highly-placed conspirators, von Stauffenberg spearheads a complex plot to kill Hitler and take over the German government in an effort to save “sacred Germany” and thousands of lives. But once put into motion, the plan quickly begins to unravel.
Content
The wartime violence portrayed is mostly bloodless, but it does include images of men being shot, caught in an explosion, and hanged. God’s name is used for swearing once or twice, but little other rough language is heard.
Worldview Talking Points
“Valkyrie’s” worldview is clear and very positive. Von Stauffenberg and the other conspirators believe that doing what’s right is worth the risk of their lives and the lives of their families. Cruise’s character realizes he cannot serve both Germany and Hitler and sees his mission in the war as saving human lives, not winning Hitler’s war.
Our worldview breakdown for students on PlanetWisdom.com focused on the tension between God’s call to submit to our authorities up to the point that someone in authority directs us to violate God’s Word.
If your student saw the movie, a few of these questions may provoke some good conversation and provide a teachable moment or two:
- Was it right or wrong for Tom Cruise’s character and the other conspirators to try to kill Hitler and take over the government? Why?
- Was it right or wrong for others in the military NOT to try to kill Hitler?
- As a Christian, does God tell us we should do what those in authority tell us to do? (See Romans 13:1-7)
- If we’re supposed to do what people in authority say, why did the men God used to write the Bible spend so much time in jail? Why were so many executed by the government?
- Under what circumstances would you think it would be okay to NOT do what the government or the church or even your parents say?
- Have you ever had to say no to someone in authority in order to do the right thing?
- Can you ever imagine that happening?
- Do you think you would have the courage to risk your life to do what God has asked you to do in the Bible? Why or why not?
