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The Lives of Others

Play trailer 1:42 Poster for The Lives of Others R Released Feb 9, 2007 2h 17m History Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Lives of Others

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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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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 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Daniel X Sensitive, deep, and tense ! Very important to keeo us aware of something that was happening "yesterday", and is still happening today, but in different ways ! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/17/25 Full Review Tilman G The Lives of Others is a visually masterfully staged work that captures the dark atmosphere of the GDR in an op- and impressive way. The craftsmanship of the film is remarkable (especially for a German film) and can compete with the best productions on an international level. Ulrich Mühe as Wiesler is absolutely outstanding. However, Wiesler's character development, especially with regard to his transformation, is not entirely convincing at times and is difficult to understand. Nevertheless, the film remains a touching, multi-layered drama about surveillance, morality and resistance to a totalitarian regime. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/25 Full Review Liam D An very tense drama that has an amazing performance and taut direction Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/25 Full Review Pip S The best German film I have personally seen. One of the best movies I've seen. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/25 Full Review Alejandra O A masterpiece. One of the best films of the early 2000s Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/25 Full Review Susan N I had wanted to watch this movie when it first came out, because I had heard it was excellent. Many years later, I finally did. It certainly was worth seeing. The story, the acting, the setting of Communist East Germany were all really superb. I thought it was the best movie I have seen in a long time. The ending was a positive one, and very touching. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/04/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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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
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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