The adaptation of Robert Harris' novel will keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

A German government official meets up with his estranged friend, a British diplomat, in an effort to stop Adolf Hitler from invading Europe and starting another world war.

You cannot change history, there's only the truth. You can see a last-ditch hoorah of the writers of "Munich: The Edge of War" to cast Neville Chamberlain as the hero who bought "time" for the U.K. to prepare for the war. But who are they kidding?

The film was set in September 1938, during the Munich Betrayal. Adolf Hitler plans to invade Sudetenland (in the modern Czech Republic). The tired and cowardly French government, including Chamberlain, gave up to Hitler's demand, apparently to "save the peace."

Even the British glorifying Jeremy Irons as usual (he played Chamberlain) could not eclipse the performance of the two lead actors of the film. George MacKay plays Hugh Legat who works for Downing Street. On the other side of the fence is Paul von Hartmann played by Jannis Niewöhner, a once Hitler fanatic who's now a member of a secret group planning to overthrow the madman. Legat and Hartmann were Oxford buddies but parted ways due to "politics." 

If "Munich: The Edge of War" focused on Paul and his efforts to assassinate Hitler, it could gain some claps from those snobbish critics, but there are sooo much stuff like that, so where's the fun in that? I am very happy that the spotlight was turned to Hugh and Paul alongside his girlfriend Lena (played by Liv Lisa Fries).

Niewöhner's character gives him the advantage here. His character has got the opportunity to be close to Hitler. I'm glad that a German got to play this role (his accent!). You'll be glued to the screens whenever he's on. And of course, he's got that "secret document" to make it more thrilling. With the danger looming just around the corner, the excitement in every scene with him is palpable. But Mackay, of course, shines too, with his role as one of the secretaries to Chamberlain. Their roles in trying to stop Hitler from invading the rest of Europe seem to be a bit melodramatic but effective nonetheless.

You know what will happen in the end (unless you don't know your history), but it does not diminish the feeling of mystery which will make the audience watch this film until the end. Add to that the incredible settings (the hotels, the train ride) and of course, your knowledge of what happened during World War II.

Geek Rate

(Sky god worthy. 5 out of 5 stars). There's a particular scene where Hartmann and Legat were inside a car in Munich, discussing what they will do next after failing to convince Chamberlain not to deal with Hitler. "I have to fight. We don't choose the times we live in. The only choice we have is how we respond," says Hartmann. It was chilling how the events back then echo until now. "Munich: The Edge of War" is a great addition to the huge list of war films, without being forgettable.

2018-11-29 19.23.21 - CopyReignell Francisco

I'm a Filipino content creator with passion for travel, history, football, and anything on TV. Visit my YouTube channel onelostgeek for my travel stories. Business inquiry: geekgodreview@yahoo.com

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