Germany Bans Filming of Cruise Film - Over Scientology - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 06-25-2007, 12:54 PM

http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSL253889920070625?feedType=RSS&rpc=22&sp=true

Germany bans Cruise film shoot from military sites

By Louis Charbonneau

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany has barred the makers of a movie about a plot to kill Adolf Hitler from filming at German military sites because its star Tom Cruise is a Scientologist, the Defense Ministry said on Monday.

Cruise, also one of the film's producers, is a member of the Church of Scientology which the German government does not recognize as a church. Berlin says it masquerades as a religion to make money, a charge Scientology leaders reject.

The U.S. actor has been cast as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Nazi dictator in July 1944 with a bomb hidden in a briefcase.

Defense Ministry spokesman Harald Kammerbauer said the film makers "will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult".

"In general, the Bundeswehr (German military) has a special interest in the serious and authentic portrayal of the events of July 20, 1944 and Stauffenberg's person," Kammerbauer said.

Cruise's publicists could not be reached for comment.

Stauffenberg had been deeply opposed to the Nazis' treatment of the Jews and planted a briefcase bomb under a table near Hitler in his "Wolf's Lair" headquarters on July 20, 1944. The bomb went off but only wounded the Fuehrer.

The film, slated for a 2008 release and to be directed by Bryan Singer and co-starring Kenneth Branagh, is called "Valkyrie" after Operation Valkyrie, the plot's codename.

The main site of interest would be the "Bendlerblock" memorial inside the Defense Ministry complex in Berlin. This is where Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators hatched the plot and where he and his closest comrades were executed when it failed.

Kammerbauer said the ministry had not yet received official filming requests from the producers of "Valkyrie".

Janice · 06-25-2007, 12:58 PM

GERMANY BANS FILMING OF CRUISE FILM -- OVER SCIENTOLOGY

catlover79 · 06-25-2007, 01:03 PM

Wow...settle back and watch the fur fly, folks!

Mikado · 06-25-2007, 03:49 PM

I can understand Germany wanting to keep one of its heroes from being ridiculed, but, unless Cruise has written in the script, that Von Stauffenburg was commanded to kill Hitler "by order of the Mother ship", I cant see what the problem is...Cruise is an actor...he reads lines while someone sticks a camera in his face, his religion ( or cult, in this case ) should be a moot point.

Adamantium · 06-25-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

I can understand Germany wanting to keep one of its heroes from being ridiculed, but, unless Cruise has written in the script, that Von Stauffenburg was commanded to kill Hitler "by order of the Mother ship", I cant see what the problem is...Cruise is an actor...he reads lines while someone sticks a camera in his face, his religion ( or cult, in this case ) should be a moot point.

I hate Scientology and I can't understand why all these actors are into it. But I have to agree with you. As much as I like them sticking it to him for being a Scientologist, his "religion" shouldn't come into it. He's an actor.

Zebra 3 · 06-25-2007, 07:51 PM

One more reason to love Germany.

Brian Damage · 06-25-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebra 3

One more reason to love Germany.

Zebra 3 · 07-24-2007, 11:00 AM

(Studio Briefing) The German Protestant Church has added its voice to the chorus of German critics who have objected to Tom Cruise portraying a German hero in the forthcoming film Valkyrie, currently being shot in Berlin. Thomas Gandow, chief spokesman on religious cults for the church, charged Sunday that Cruise plans to turn the film into "propaganda for Scientology" and compared it with filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl's documentary about the 1936 Berlin Olympics. "This film will have the same propaganda advantages," he said. Gandow called Scientology, of which Cruise may be its most prominent member, a "totalitarian organization" for which Cruise is its "Goebbels," referring to Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi's minister of propaganda.

-STEFFY- · 07-24-2007, 12:22 PM

ROTFL!!!

Tom Cruise is one of the worst actors anyway! Too bad he's not also banned from doing films in The United States!

Courtnee · 07-27-2007, 11:36 PM

Yay, this means I won't have to put up with him when we move!!

Ireneparalegal · 07-27-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -STEFFY-

ROTFL!!!

Tom Cruise is one of the worst actors anyway! Too bad he's not also banned from doing films in The United States!

That would be nice.

catlover79 · 07-28-2007, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

That would be nice.

Where's the petition!? I'll sign it right now!!

Lex Luthor · 07-28-2007, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -STEFFY-

ROTFL!!!

Tom Cruise is one of the worst actors anyway! Too bad he's not also banned from doing films in The United States!

Too bad Scientology isn't treated the same way in North America

Mikado · 07-28-2007, 04:27 AM

It never ceases to amaze me that a cult based on space aliens bringing the "word" to the people of Earth on a spaceship would have ANY followers....I guess actors will believe ANYTHING!
( No wonder so many of them are convinced that taking off their clothes in a minor "B" movie is a good career move, when they're just getting started!

)

06-25-2007, 12:54 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Germany Bans Filming of Cruise Film - Over Scientology http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSL253889920070625?feedType=RSS&rpc=22&sp=true Germany bans Cruise film shoot from military sites By Louis Charbonneau BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany has barred the makers of a movie about a plot to kill Adolf Hitler from filming at German military sites because its star Tom Cruise is a Scientologist, the Defense Ministry said on Monday. Cruise, also one of the film's producers, is a member of the Church of Scientology which the German government does not recognize as a church. Berlin says it masquerades as a religion to make money, a charge Scientology leaders reject. The U.S. actor has been cast as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Nazi dictator in July 1944 with a bomb hidden in a briefcase. Defense Ministry spokesman Harald Kammerbauer said the film makers "will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult". "In general, the Bundeswehr (German military) has a special interest in the serious and authentic portrayal of the events of July 20, 1944 and Stauffenberg's person," Kammerbauer said. Cruise's publicists could not be reached for comment. Stauffenberg had been deeply opposed to the Nazis' treatment of the Jews and planted a briefcase bomb under a table near Hitler in his "Wolf's Lair" headquarters on July 20, 1944. The bomb went off but only wounded the Fuehrer. The film, slated for a 2008 release and to be directed by Bryan Singer and co-starring Kenneth Branagh, is called "Valkyrie" after Operation Valkyrie, the plot's codename. The main site of interest would be the "Bendlerblock" memorial inside the Defense Ministry complex in Berlin. This is where Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators hatched the plot and where he and his closest comrades were executed when it failed. Kammerbauer said the ministry had not yet received official filming requests from the producers of "Valkyrie".

06-25-2007, 01:03 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Wow...settle back and watch the fur fly, folks!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-25-2007, 07:51 PM	#6
Zebra 3 Striped Tomato Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 26, 2002 Location: Bay City Posts: 5,811	One more reason to love Germany.
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07-24-2007, 11:00 AM	#8
Zebra 3 Striped Tomato Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 26, 2002 Location: Bay City Posts: 5,811	German Protestants Condemn Cruise (Studio Briefing) The German Protestant Church has added its voice to the chorus of German critics who have objected to Tom Cruise portraying a German hero in the forthcoming film Valkyrie, currently being shot in Berlin. Thomas Gandow, chief spokesman on religious cults for the church, charged Sunday that Cruise plans to turn the film into "propaganda for Scientology" and compared it with filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl's documentary about the 1936 Berlin Olympics. "This film will have the same propaganda advantages," he said. Gandow called Scientology, of which Cruise may be its most prominent member, a "totalitarian organization" for which Cruise is its "Goebbels," referring to Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi's minister of propaganda.

07-27-2007, 11:36 PM	#10
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	Yay, this means I won't have to put up with him when we move!!
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

06-25-2007, 12:58 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	GERMANY BANS FILMING OF CRUISE FILM -- OVER SCIENTOLOGY

06-25-2007, 03:49 PM	#4
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	I can understand Germany wanting to keep one of its heroes from being ridiculed, but, unless Cruise has written in the script, that Von Stauffenburg was commanded to kill Hitler "by order of the Mother ship", I cant see what the problem is...Cruise is an actor...he reads lines while someone sticks a camera in his face, his religion ( or cult, in this case ) should be a moot point.

07-24-2007, 12:22 PM	#9
-STEFFY- Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jul 18, 2007 Location: USA Posts: 14,580	ROTFL!!! Tom Cruise is one of the worst actors anyway! Too bad he's not also banned from doing films in The United States!

07-28-2007, 04:27 AM	#14
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	It never ceases to amaze me that a cult based on space aliens bringing the "word" to the people of Earth on a spaceship would have ANY followers....I guess actors will believe ANYTHING! ( No wonder so many of them are convinced that taking off their clothes in a minor "B" movie is a good career move, when they're just getting started! )