[abyzmul]

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BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- Germany has barred the makers of a movie about a plot to kill Adolf 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 decision drew a sharp response from Cruise's film producing partner, Paula Wagner, chief executive of United Artists Entertainment, who said Cruise's "personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie's plot, themes or content."

The U.S. actor will portray Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the dictator in July 1944 with a 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.

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

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

In a statement, Wagner said von Stauffenberg is characterized as a "heroic and principled figure."

"We believe it (the film) will go a long way toward reminding the world that even within the ranks of the German military, there was real resistance to the regime," she said.

The main site of interest would be the "Bendlerblock" memorial inside the Defense Ministry complex in Berlin, 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."

While Wagner did not cite requests for specific locations, she did add: "We believe Germany is the only place we can truly do the story justice."

[GreenMachine]

Germans love david hasselhoff.

[gustoonarmy]

I wish Belichick was a scieno , I'd have even more reason to dislike him.
Good for the Germans , "Berlin says it masquerades as a religion to make money, a charge Scientology leaders reject."

[PMCRW]

scientology is kinda of shammy but the Germans seem like tightwads for this one. I think they were just trying to make headlines and felt this was their opportunity. What f'ed is that a lot of stars are scientologist and watch germany get a huge backlash from the film and entertainment community. F crusie though. he shouldve stayed in the closet...

[Pam]

Tom Cruise won't come out of the closet.

One of the BEST South Park ever...

[Jetzz]

Originally Posted by PF4JETS

Tom Cruise won't come out of the closet.

One of the BEST South Park ever...

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[ollie]

My friend was messed up years back (booze & coke) and got "converted" ... they shipped him off to the retreat in Oklahoma and took several "donations" from him totaling around 50 grand... great bunch... good times

[rillo]

Originally Posted by PF4JETS

Tom Cruise won't come out of the closet.

One of the BEST South Park ever...

I gotta second this!....

[Miamipuck]

I was at a whole life convention, as a favor to a friend. This 500 pound guy comes up to us and starts talking. He was blabbing about some bullshit. Turns out the Church of Scientology was there and he was one of those pushing their BS on others.

So he proceeds to tell me that it taught him discipline patience etc. etc. ................. blah blah blah. So I looked at my friend and say to her "discipline?" I could not help it and started laughing. He was too pushy so I pushed back myself. I played stupid," Scientology wasn't that a religion started by L. Ron Hubbard?"......... He, says"why yes you have heard of it!" I said yeah,' Imagine that a religion started by a science fiction writer that is pretty funny"

Well he turned green. I said," I love Bugs bunny I think I am going to pray to Mel Blanc after all compared to L Ron he is a true god" Last I ever saw of him. My friend spit her drink out all over the place.

It teaches discipline? Go have another cheeseburger you fat fuck!

[Br4dw4y5ux]

The Germans are rightfully worried about anything that is both heavily idealogical and propagandizing to the extent that Scientology is. This is natural for a country that has spent most of the last century torn apart by strong idealogical movements that destroyed their national identity.

[Phyr]

Originally Posted by Br4dw4y5ux

The Germans are rightfully worried about anything that is both heavily idealogical and propagandizing to the extent that Scientology is. This is natural for a country that has spent most of the last century torn apart by strong idealogical movements that destroyed their national identity.

Not really. Germany classifies Scientology is a business/cult that tries to appear like a religion to make money. I think they got the right classification.

[3rdandlong]

hey is it just me or is the word "bomb" missing from the pasted article ?

[WahooJet]

Originally Posted by Br4dw4y5ux

The Germans are rightfully worried about anything that is both heavily idealogical and propagandizing to the extent that Scientology is. This is natural for a country that has spent most of the last century torn apart by strong idealogical movements that destroyed their national identity.

Rightfully worried about a production company making a movie starring Tom Cruise? Does that also mean that Beck can't play a concert in Germany? I don't see what this has to do with Scientology (no matter how fucked up it is) at all.