Blog

July 20, 2007

First a few thoughts, then I will answer a few questions.

It is fitting, I think, that today is the first blog post as today is the 63rd anniversary of the coup attempt. At the time I am writing this, it is a mere 24 hours to the generally accepted moment sixty-three years ago that Claus von Stauffenberg and his fellow conspirators, Albrecht Mertz von Quirnheim, Werner von Haeften, and Friedrich Olbricht were gunned down in the courtyard of the Bendlerstrasse on the orders of Friedrich Fromm. As many of you probably know, Ludwig Beck tried to commit suicide but failed and was executed at the time the other men were led out to the courtyard to meet their final fate.

In memorium, I ask that each of you reading this post think for a moment what it was like in those days - what Germany and much of the European continent had become during those very dark times and put yourself in Claus and the other conspirators' position. Would you have had the courage they had? I can honestly say I likely would not have. Was Claus indeed a hero as many claim? Or was he a villain? Having been seduced by the Nazis? Or was he something different? As I've posted on the main page, was he not just a man? Flawed, like all of us, yet willing to take responsibility for his actions? These are all questions. I will not suppose to answer them for you. It is up to you to decide what he did and why, and what legacy his actions will take on. After all, history is usually written much later and film can often be, at the very least "pop history."

I would also ask that you take a moment to think about the other men in the plot as well as the others who attempted to assassinate Hitler during those years when the Nazis were in power. And there were many - men whose stories you may not know but are worth investigating. Men like Axel von dem Bussche and Eberhard von Breitenbuch - two men who were willing to commit suicde to remove Hitler from power, yet where fate and circumstance intervened to foil their attempts. And let's not forget the women - in particular Nina von Stauffenberg, Eta von Tresckow, Margarethe von Oven and Ehrengard von der Schulenburg who tirelessly moved papers around, typed orders and involved themselves in the plot as best they could - in many respects to help their husbands, Claus and Henning.

In fact, there were many men and women who defied the Nazis - who defied what they stood for and we should not forget that any more than we should forget the terrible things that took place during those years. So again, I ask you to consider the actions of these men and women. Would you have done the same?

Now I think it is important at this moment to say that we are not in any way affiliated with the "Valkyrie" project which is being filmed right now. This is a separate project begun in 2000. We wish them nothing but the best, although naturally, as writers, we feel we have something different to offer. Another question which has come up and which has been posted on the boards was whether Stefan George makes an "appearance" in our script. I won't tell you for sure, but I will tell you we have considered it. Stefan George was indeed Claus' "Master" for many years and his influence on all the Stauffenberg men cannot be overstated. So to you avid posters on Stefan George, you will just have to wait and see. :)

Lastly, I'd like to personally thank all of you who have taken the time to post your comments and to email us. Although we cannot respond to each and every request or comment, we appreciate the careful thoughts which you have penned. Please, keep them coming.

-M