"Pompous General" in Valkyrie (2008)

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Kriegsmarine Großadmiral
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"Pompous General" in Valkyrie (2008)

#1

Post by Kriegsmarine Großadmiral » 23 Dec 2019, 01:51

In the movie "Valkyrie" from 2008, the uniforms, ranks and awards were all very accurately portrayed, which is rare for a Hollywood historical film in my opinion.

One General that caught my attention was the "composite "Pompous General" who attempts to disrupt the coup headquarters. Though the general is not named in the film, McQuarrie and Alexander said the character was based on General Joachim von Kortzfleisch, who tried to disrupt the coup in the same fashion." This "Pompous General" is played by Ian McNeice.

Looking at the description written above, it is clear he is a made-up character only based on Joachim von Kortzfleisch (that explains all the awards that Kortzfleisch wasn't awarded and the General in the movie is wearing). If you search for a photo of Joachim von Kortzfleisch you can clearly see there is no physical resemblance between the two.

But let's analyze this "Pompous General" and his awards.

No stars on the shoulder boards indicate he's a Generalmajor. The thing that makes him "pompous" must be the monocle hanging from around his neck. :lol:

But what fascinates me the most are his awards. Around the neck: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes and below it the Pour le Mérite out of all things.

On the left side of the chest the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold. Also he has the Eisernes Kreuz 1. and 2. Klasse from WW1 and the Spange for both classes from WW2.

But the history buff that I am, noticed a major mistake regarding his awards. Can you guess what is the mistake? There is one big and obvious mistake and another smaller one I can reveal later. If no one has a guess I can give a hint.
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Re: "Pompous General" in Valkyrie (2008)

#2

Post by Kriegsmarine Großadmiral » 23 Dec 2019, 21:29

Here is the hint. Something on his ribbon bar is wrong. What is it?
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Re: "Pompous General" in Valkyrie (2008)

#3

Post by John G. » 24 Dec 2019, 05:36

1939 EK 2 nd. Cl. ribbon and the long service ribbons are in the wrong placement. (Should be after the Bav. Military merit and WW 1 Honor Cross)
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Re: "Pompous General" in Valkyrie (2008)

#4

Post by Kriegsmarine Großadmiral » 24 Dec 2019, 12:22

John G. wrote:
24 Dec 2019, 05:36
1939 EK 2 nd. Cl. ribbon and the long service ribbons are in the wrong placement. (Should be after the Bav. Military merit and WW 1 Honor Cross)
John G.
Correct John! The 1939 EK 2 ribbon is wrong, because we can see he already has the 1914 EK 1. and 2. Klasse. That's why the first ribbon on the ribbon bar should be the 1914 EK 2.

Another mistake we can see is that there is no ribbon for the Schlesischer Adler-Orden 2. Stufe on the ribbon bar. But he can be seen wearing the Schlesischer Adler-Orden 1. Stufe next to the EK 1.
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Re: "Pompous General" in Valkyrie (2008)

#5

Post by von thoma » 25 Dec 2019, 07:43

Ian McNeice as a fatty Gerhard Klopfer, in ' Conspiracy ' ( 2001 )
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Max
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Re: "Pompous General" in Valkyrie (2008)

#6

Post by Max » 25 Dec 2019, 11:45

Kriegsmarine Großadmiral wrote:
24 Dec 2019, 12:22
John G. wrote:
24 Dec 2019, 05:36
1939 EK 2 nd. Cl. ribbon and the long service ribbons are in the wrong placement. (Should be after the Bav. Military merit and WW 1 Honor Cross)
John G.
Correct John! The 1939 EK 2 ribbon is wrong, because we can see he already has the 1914 EK 1. and 2. Klasse. That's why the first ribbon on the ribbon bar should be the 1914 EK 2.

Another mistake we can see is that there is no ribbon for the Schlesischer Adler-Orden 2. Stufe on the ribbon bar. But he can be seen wearing the Schlesischer Adler-Orden 1. Stufe next to the EK 1.
OK.
That's it.
No more Tom Cruise movies for me.
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