The Lives of Others

The Lives of Others

By Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

  • Genre: Foreign
  • Release Date: 2007-02-09
  • Advisory Rating: R
  • Runtime: 2h 17min
  • Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
  • Production Company: Creado Film
  • Production Country: France, Germany
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
8/10
8
From 3,669 Ratings

Description

This critically-acclaimed, Oscar®-winning film (Best Foreign Language Film, 2006) is the erotic, emotionally-charged experience Lisa Schwarzbaum (Entertainment Weekly) calls "a nail-biter of a thriller!" Before the collapse of the Berlin Wall, East Germany's population was closely monitored by the State Secret Police (Stasi). Only a few citizens above suspicion, like renowned pro-Socialist playwright Georg Dreyman, were permitted to lead private lives. But when a corrupt government official falls for Georg's stunning actress-girlfriend, Christa, an ambitious Stasi policeman is ordered to bug the writer's apartment to gain incriminating evidence against the rival. Now, what the officer discovers is about to dramatically change their lives - as well as his - in this seductive political thriller Peter Travers (Rolling Stone) proclaims is "the best kind of movie: one you can't get out of your head."

Trailer

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Reviews

  • The King of Films!

    5
    By OLEEP
    One of the very best!!!
  • Great film

    5
    By prjctfish
    Original idea and wonderfully directed and shot, wish Hollywood made films like this
  • Heavy, but amazing.

    5
    By BenBlack88
    Wow…watch it
  • Loved it

    5
    By i_love_norway
    There is no dubbing as you may have seen a comment below. There are subtitles that you can turn off and on. Cool movie. Slow paced but intriguing and best of all a tone of gratitude toward the end.
  • Awesome

    5
    By Willi mama jaja
    A powerful story behind the gates of DDR (aka east Germany)
  • A Good Man

    5
    By MHilmer
    This film shows you what it means to be a good man (or woman). It is intense and beautiful throughout, with subtle yet heartfelt emotion. This film is very inspiring.
  • A brilliant fictional story within a real event.

    5
    By inanimate-object
    I watched this film in college in my German class as part of a study. When I first saw it, I thought it was slow moving during the first act, but once the team began setting up surveillance was when it really started to drag me in. That's when I knew I had to watch it again, let alone pick up my own copy. Very enthralling, intense, well acted, and very well directed for first time director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. Highly recommended for any German aficionados out there. Very well deserving of the Best Foreign Language Oscar, should have received a nomination for Best Original Screenplay, at least in my opinion.
  • Sonata for a good man

    5
    By ineededanicknamesothisisit
    This was a touching, exquisite movie. The only reason you shouldn't rent it or buy it is because they sometimes show it on HBO, but otherwise totally worth it. The plot and aspects of how they interrogated people are just interesting and truly incredible. And the change you see in the main character is portrayed so perfectly. It is so genuine, humble and simply enticing. My only complaint is that I think it should've been titled Sonata for a good man.
  • Powerful film

    5
    By Nick name14557
    This is one of the best movies I have seen. It speaks volumes about humanity and what it means to live with and without passion. I highly recommend seeing this. The content is very heavy, so for mature audiences only.
  • Ausgezeichnet!!!

    5
    By Maureen Regina
    A very tragic but compelling story.... I highly recommend this film.

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