The Lives Of Others
Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film. At once a political thriller and human drama, The Lives of Others begins in East Berlin in 1984 - five years before Glasnost and the fall of the Berlin Wall and ultimately takes us to 1991, in what is now the reunited Germany. Traces the gradual disillusionment of Captain Gerd Wiesler, a highly skilled officer who works for the Stasi, East Germany's all-powerful secret police.
- Director:
- Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
- Cast:
- Martina GedeckUlrich MüheSebastian Koch
Reviews & comments
Fantastic,
Fantastic as a portrayal of the lives some were forced to live under the communist East German regime, fantastic because of the way the story line gave some confidence that humans can change for the good, and fantastic because of the acting, and directing. And these lives of others all happened not so long ago. Umissable.
Review
Ullriche Muehe, the main actor in 'The Life of Others' and one of the best European actors of the last decades has passed away. He died 'cause of cancer, that was discoverd just a few days after 'The Life of Others' wons the Oscar. His unique art of acting, as well on stage as on screen, gaves his roles this special something, which made him as an actor and...
Superb. A brilliant and thought provoking film
This film presents a story which at first seems banal and by degrees, becomes riveting. It is very true to life in the GDR at the time, and presents a whole range of moral dilemmas with all the shades of grey that reality demands. As another reviewer mentions, it really shows up the simplicity and low quality of the Hollywood product. This film, and many of...
Variety
pressSuperbly cast drama… that looks to be a solid upscale attraction wherever the special chemistry of good writing and performances is appreciated...
San Francisco Chronicle
pressA great film, the best I've seen since Terrence Malick's "The New World," and far and away the richest and most brilliantly acted picture to be released this Oscar season...
New Zealand Herald
pressWhile much of it may recall Coppola's masterwork 'The Conversation', this film's dramatic lineage goes back much further. For once, the overused word masterpiece seems almost inadequate...
Hollywood Reporter
pressStarts out dark and challenging then comes to a startlingly satisfying and warmly human conclusion that lingers long after the curtain has come down...
Film Threat
pressvon Donnersmarck creates a milieu so realistic that the attention-worthy setting becomes just a backdrop, while an intricate tale, as suspenseful as it is humanistic, takes over...
Empire Magazine
pressAlready f?ted, von Donnersmarck’s debut sets a closely focused, personal story against a more expansive backdrop of politics and power games -- a moving, enlightening tale of recent times...
Variety
pressSuperbly cast drama… that looks to be a solid upscale attraction wherever the special chemistry of good writing and performances is appreciated...
San Francisco Chronicle
pressA great film, the best I've seen since Terrence Malick's "The New World," and far and away the richest and most brilliantly acted picture to be released this Oscar season...
New Zealand Herald
pressWhile much of it may recall Coppola's masterwork 'The Conversation', this film's dramatic lineage goes back much further. For once, the overused word masterpiece seems almost inadequate...
Hollywood Reporter
pressStarts out dark and challenging then comes to a startlingly satisfying and warmly human conclusion that lingers long after the curtain has come down...
Film Threat
pressvon Donnersmarck creates a milieu so realistic that the attention-worthy setting becomes just a backdrop, while an intricate tale, as suspenseful as it is humanistic, takes over...
Empire Magazine
pressAlready f?ted, von Donnersmarck’s debut sets a closely focused, personal story against a more expansive backdrop of politics and power games -- a moving, enlightening tale of recent times...
Fantastic,
Fantastic as a portrayal of the lives some were forced to live under the communist East German regime, fantastic because of the way the story line gave some confidence that humans can change for the good, and fantastic because of the acting, and directing. And these lives of others all happened not so long ago. Umissable.
Review
Ullriche Muehe, the main actor in 'The Life of Others' and one of the best European actors of the last decades has passed away. He died 'cause of cancer, that was discoverd just a few days after 'The Life of Others' wons the Oscar. His unique art of acting, as well on stage as on screen, gaves his roles this special something, which made him as an actor...
Superb. A brilliant and thought provoking film
This film presents a story which at first seems banal and by degrees, becomes riveting. It is very true to life in the GDR at the time, and presents a whole range of moral dilemmas with all the shades of grey that reality demands. As another reviewer mentions, it really shows up the simplicity and low quality of the Hollywood product. This film, and many...
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