The Lives of Others

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The Lives of Others

R

Released Feb 9, 2007

2h 17m

History

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

162 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

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.

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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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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

Alan Jones

Radio Times

Brilliantly told through exceptional performances and dynamic storytelling, this heart-wrenching thriller is a triumph of nuanced tension centred on rediscovering one's humanity in a place where it seems forgotten.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 8, 2024

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

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David K

A really, really must see given the current state of affairs in the US. Saw as part of TCM's Spotlight "Making Change: The Most Significant Political Films of All Time" which itself is based on The New Republic's feature "The 100 Most Significant Political Films of All Time". Their list is an excellent guide to follow for those interested.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Sehr ausgezeichnet. Sehr dunkel und Ulrich hatte überhaupt ein großer Herz.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/21/24

Full Review

Stuart G

Analyze and intellectualize all you want -- this just is a very fine motion picture. Wonderfully acted and, sadly, most believable. A fine blend of suspense and ultimate redemption.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/24

Full Review

Dean B

A subtle spy thriller with well developed characters. By the end, you will be transformed by how the game is played, should be played and how to keep your self, your outtie, your inne and the truth as it is and can be manipulated. Or not.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

Full Review

Cees T

Boring people stalking boring people. 4.4/10 - Read 1984 and watch The Matrix instead.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/22/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie isn’t for everyone. You certainly have to have a taste for central/eastern Europe period pieces and not mind listening to the German language being spoken for an entire movie. It was a lifeless and drab story looking through a small window at lifeless and drab socialism, but hey, to each their own.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/25/24

Full Review

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Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Director

Martina Gedeck

Christa-Maria Sieland

Ulrich Mühe

Capt. Gerd Wiesler

Sebastian Koch

Georg Dreyman

Ulrich Tukur

Lt. Col. Anton Grubitz

Thomas Thieme

Minister Bruno Hempf

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The Lives of Others: Trailer 1

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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
Producer: Quirin Berg, Max Wiedemann
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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