An Unwavering Conviction: A Man Who Cherished Love, Music, and Freedom

On November 8, 1939, in Munich, Germany, Hitler cut short his speech. Thirteen minutes later, a timed bomb detonated. Arrested as the perpetrator was Georg Elser, an ordinary 36-year-old cabinetmaker.

This film is based on the true story of this assassination attempt on Hitler. It portrays the convictions of a man who enjoyed music, dancing, and love, and reveled in freedom. Why did Hitler fear him and allow him to live? The film unearths the shocking, untold truth that Germany concealed.




The director is Oliver Hirschbiegel, a master craftsman whose 'Downfall: The Last Days of Hitler' depicted Hitler as a human being and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Playing Elser with gripping realism is Christian Friedel, star of 'The White Ribbon,' which won the Palme d'Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

The screenplay is also superb, having meticulously researched relatives and associates to portray the true character of Georg Elser, who had often been viewed through a distorted lens until now.

Was This Ordinary Man an Assassin, a Savior, or...?—

Adolf Hitler, delivering his annual commemoration speech for the Munich Putsch, ended his address earlier than usual due to bad weather. Shortly after, a timed bomb planted in the hall exploded. This occurred 13 minutes after Hitler had left the venue.

The bomb device was sophisticated, and the plan was meticulous and audacious. Based on the method, the German secret police, the Gestapo, suspected a coup d'état or involvement by British intelligence. However, the person arrested was Georg Elser, an ordinary cabinetmaker living in the countryside. He insisted he acted alone, confessing a series of unbelievable accounts. Convinced of a major mastermind behind the plot, Hitler ordered a thorough investigation into every aspect of Elser's life up to the day of the attack.



'13 Minutes Bombshell'
Opening nationwide on Friday, October 16th, at TOHO CINEMAS CHANTER, CINEMA RISE, and other theaters.
Director | Oliver Hirschbiegel
Starring | Christian Friedel, Katharina Schüttler, Burghart Klaußner
Distributor | Gaga Corporation
2015 / Germany / 114 min / Original Title: 'Elser'
http://13minutes.gaga.ne.jp


© 2015 LUCKY BIRD PICTURES GMBH, DELPHIMEDIEN GMBH, PHILIPP FILMPRODUCTION GMBH & CO. KG © Bernd Schuller