Tom Cruise's forthcoming role as the attempted assassin of Adolf Hitler has been slammed by member's of the dead man's family - because of the star's Scientologist beliefs.

Descendants of German officer Claus Schenk Graf Von Stauffenberg - who mounted a plot to kill the Nazi leader on July 20 1994 - have expressed fears new movie Valkyrie will be used as a propaganda tool for the actor's controversial religion.

Count Caspar Schenk Von Stauffenberg, Claus' grandson, says, "I have nothing against him (Cruise) and can even separate his work from his beliefs in Scientology.

"But I and other family members are worried that the picture will be financed by the sect and be used to get across its propaganda. Unfortunately the family Stauffenberg can do nothing about this. My grandfather is a figure from history."

Cruise confirmed his part in the Bryan Singer-directed film earlier this month.