Tom Cruise’s latest is a movie that has been dogged by controversy. His Scientology connections initially meant German authorities refused to let the production film in their country, and early reports suggested the film was laughed out of preview cinemas. Those obstacles overcome, the finished product is this, Bryan Singer’s war time thriller about an attempt on Hitler’s life.

Valkyrie is the real life story of Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg (Cruise), a Nazi officer dismayed at what Hitler is doing to both his country and the world. He is recruited by a few higher ranking officers (Kenneth Branagh and Bill Nighy) to lead an assassination plot, which, if successful, would see Hitler blown up and his regime destroyed. As the plot progresses, Stauffenberg begins to realise the enormity of what he is about to do, and the price of failure.

Singer got his big break with a foiled plot movie, but never this serious. This is history, and a really interesting part of history. Luckily, he brings in regular writer Christopher McQuarrie as well as editor/composer Jon Ottman to bring in a style that is distinctly his own - dark and grimy, with amazing set design. The film was critically mauled in early preview screenings, however, the story is interesting enough to keep you occupied (and even entertained) for two hours. It’s very Hollywood, and one would imagine not hugely accurate, however nowhere near the mess it was rumoured to be.

The support to Cruise’s Hitler hit squad is populated by British actors - largely hammy thespians, granted, but without them this is a story not worth watching. Bill Nighy and Eddie Izzard as the doubtful co-conspirators are tremendous, as is Tom Wilkinson who throws his weight around in every scene to wonderful effect. Kenneth Brannagh and Terence Stamp both earn their wages as well, playing brief but subtle roles.

The problem is Cruise. A movie star of biblical proportions, but also a damn fine actor (Collateral, Born On The Fourth of July). Here, he is simply miscast. Woefully miscast. A big factor is that he uses an American accent. Surrounded by English accents it just highlights his own, and you spend the first twenty minutes thinking ‘blimey, it’s Tom Cruise with an eye-patch’ as opposed to seeing the film’s protagonist. A minor quibble, you may think, but when he strikes a table and screams ‘Dammit!’ midway through the film, it’s hard to suspend disbelief. Then there’s the performance - stiff, and lacking any of the on-screen charisma that’s made his name, simply looking like Von Stauffenberg isn’t enough (pronouncing the name Goebbels as ‘go-balls’ doesn’t help either).  

A genuinely affecting finale makes sure it ends on a muted high, and leaves us with a film of ups and downs. It certainly could have been a lot better, particularly given the subject matter, but definitely could have been a lot worse. Cruise stunts that potential by acting as though it’s ‘Mission Impossible 4’, bringing an action man to a film that sorely needed an actor, resulting in a movie that is decidedly average.

Valkyrie is out January 23.