The Counterfeiters

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Liam D An well acted and thoughtful drama that rightly deserves the Oscar for best international film Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/25 Full Review Samppa S Great and entertaining historical drama about the real story of a nazi counterfeit operation in a concentration camp during the WW2. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/22/23 Full Review Gareth v A powerful movie the looks at the moral ambiguity of survival in the concentration camps of WWII. One of 2008's best movies. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/16/23 Full Review Kevin L "The Counterfeiters" is an exceptional film. Yes, the film takes place almost entirely within the confines what wartime concentration camps during WWII, a setting that even descriptions such as 'indescribable', 'unthinkable', 'psychotic ' fail to capture. But its the story of what occurs with this specific group of Jewish men who are selected for their skills and intellect that sets this film apart from the vast majority of other movies with the same setting. The irony and hypocrisy of the nazi SS to use them as a key aspect of their strategy to defeat the allied countries cannot be overlooked; esp. since it is based on actual events. The lead role is given a fittingly brilliant performance by Karl Markovicks, a man who lives a life of pleasure, privilege and deception whose life is instantly and forever altered for the very worst. Along with Markovicks, August Diehl, so impressive in "A Hidden Life" is equally so here, again as the voice and face of dissent. Writer and director Stefan Ruzowitzky has given us a film that resonates with the viewer due to the resounding realism conveyed by his screenplay and guidance in bringing the story to life on the screen. The tone from setting to setting, scene to scene, is well set and maintained. While we are naturally affected by the visual onslaught of such inhumanity and suffering, Ruzowitzky gives us the psychology of his characters as each one is afflicted in their own way by the events of the war and their treatment. Strong support performances from Striesow, Zirner, Urzendowsky, Schmidt and others. And credit as well to the set decorators for the realism they brought to the project. 4 stars Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/06/23 Full Review dave s If you are able to get past the dizzying, seizure-inducing camerawork, you'll probably find The Counterfeiters to be an impactful and rewarding film. When convicted Jewish forger and concentration camp inmate Salomon Sorowitsch (Karl Markovics) is identified by the Nazis as a potential asset to the war effort, he is transferred to a new facility to produce counterfeit British and American currency in order to bolster Germany's chances of winning the war. The film is driven by a simple moral premise: is it acceptable to protect one's life by serving the enemy and prolonging the war knowing that an extended conflict will result in thousands of Jews will be exterminated by the Nazis? It is a fascinating premise that is fully explored thanks to a smart script, solid performances (especially by Markovics) and frighteningly realistic period details . Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Joel C Great film. I've never seen a Nazi film portrayed in this view before. The way the main Jew character works his way through the devastation of the camps and uses his skills to basically stay alive is really interesting. Powerful performances and nice filmmaking all round. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/26/21 Full Review Read all reviews

The Counterfeiters

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