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      The Lives of Others

      R Released Feb 9, 2007 2h 17m History Drama Mystery & Thriller TRAILER for The Lives of Others: Trailer 1 List
      92% 163 Reviews Tomatometer 96% 100,000+ Ratings Audience Score In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), doubting that a famous playwright (Sebastian Koch) is loyal to the Communist Party, receives approval to spy on the man and his actress-lover Christa-Maria (Martina Gedeck). Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, then faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria and orders Wiesler to get the playwright out of the way. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Feb 06 Buy Now

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      Critics Consensus

      Unlike more traditional spy films, The Lives of Others doesn't sacrifice character for cloak and dagger chases, and the performances (notably that by the late Ulrich Muhe) stay with you.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Ben S An authentic closeup of life in east Berlin in the 80s. It's worth a watch but the true target audience might be the former kids from Eastern Europe who grew up in this era and experienced the communism/socialism. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/24 Full Review Dick C I love both of the HGW XX/7 as well as the be-listener...especially at the end... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/24 Full Review Doug C From the moment it begins, you will be on the edge of your seat. More Americans need to see this movie to fully understand just how lucky they are, and how the rest of the world lives. A pain to have to read the subtitles, but the plot, cast and story are amazing ! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/01/24 Full Review TWMax65 I really like the subject matter and how they portrayed this time period with how they showed how information on betrayal to one's allegiance would get reported/investigated/and gathered. It makes you think how it's different now since there is a lot more technology and mediums involved with this kind of spying even in so called "democracies" and "free" societies, and the acting on top of all of that was good as well. It kind of slowed down in the middle of the film a bit but by the end it wrapped itself up very nicely and it was good closure with how the story and arcs were handled. The closing lines and moments at the very end were perfect! Quite powerful. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/26/23 Full Review diver049 A film to remember what happened before November 9, 1989. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/08/23 Full Review Erik Z The Lives of Others is a riveting and emotionally resonant drama that expertly captures the chilling reality of life under surveillance in East Germany. With superb performances, particularly from Ulrich Mühe, the film immerses viewers in a thought-provoking narrative that sheds light on the power of art, compassion, and the indomitable human spirit. It's a remarkable and must-see German film that leaves a lasting impact on its audience. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Lives of Others

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      Critics Reviews

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      Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express As [Captain Gerd] Weisler discovers his real self, layer by layer, we are in the presence of a masterful performance. May 7, 2019 Full Review Namrata Joshi Outlook Donnersmarck makes an assured debut, builds the atmosphere of deceit, suspicion and suffocation and also undercuts it with some jokey moments. Rated: 4/4 Jan 30, 2019 Full Review Christy Lemire ChristyLemire.com The Lives of Others is exquisitely tense, with massive stakes and a pervasive sense of danger. Rated: 4/4 Aug 23, 2018 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 'The Lives of Others' is dark, but burning beneath the scathing political exposé of the GDR’s despotic paranoia and the personal tragedy of the drama is a bracing story of idealism, disillusionment, and defiance. Apr 14, 2023 Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film It is an exceptional piece of intrigue in the deepest shades of gray in which the culture of fear of being spied on was deeply heightened. Feb 22, 2023 Full Review Victor Pineyro Seventh Art Studio In an on itself the film is about freedom, love, compassion, solitude, and everything that gets downtrodden in an oppression regime. An incredible paradox around obsession disguised as a film. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 9/10 Jun 17, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), doubting that a famous playwright (Sebastian Koch) is loyal to the Communist Party, receives approval to spy on the man and his actress-lover Christa-Maria (Martina Gedeck). Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, then faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria and orders Wiesler to get the playwright out of the way.
      Director
      Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
      Screenwriter
      Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
      Distributor
      Sony Pictures Classics
      Production Co
      Creado Film, Wiedemann & Berg Filmproduktion, Arte, Bayerischer Rundfunk
      Rating
      R (Some Sexuality/Nudity)
      Genre
      History, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
      Original Language
      German
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Feb 9, 2007, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Oct 20, 2007
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $11.3M
      Runtime
      2h 17m
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