The Lives of Others

Name: The Lives of Others
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: December 1, 2006
Duration: 137 min
Rating: 89
Cast: Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Mühe

2006

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 39 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 399 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 399 Ratings

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The Lives Of Others

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: December 1, 2006 | R

Starring: Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Mühe

Summary: At once a political thriller and human drama, The Lives of Others begins in East Berlin in 1984, five years before Glasnost and the fall of the Berlin Wall and ultimately takes us to 1991, in what is now the reunited Germany. The film traces the gradual disillusionment of Captain Gerd Wiesler, a highly skilled officer who works for theAt once a political thriller and human drama, The Lives of Others begins in East Berlin in 1984, five years before Glasnost and the fall of the Berlin Wall and ultimately takes us to 1991, in what is now the reunited Germany. The film traces the gradual disillusionment of Captain Gerd Wiesler, a highly skilled officer who works for the Stasi, East Germany's all-powerful secret police. (Sony Pictures Classics)… Expand

Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 137 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Desson Thomson

To watch "Lives" is not just to enjoy a fabulously constructed timepiece; it's to appreciate a deft cautionary tale. Read full review

100

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

A tense and tightly plotted fictional thriller is based on real tactics used by the Stasi -- East Germany's secret police force -- to spy on and interrogate their own citizens. Read full review

100

Anthony Lane

If there is any justice, this year's Academy Award for best foreign-language film will go to The Lives of Others, a movie about a world in which there is no justice. Read full review

Stanley Kauffmann

Despite the fact that parts of this film remind us of past pictures with comparable themes, the director and his actors make it immediate, gripping. Read full review

Premiere Glenn Kenny

von Donnersmarck delivers something extraordinary and rare: a thriller that's entirely adult in both its concerns and perspective which manages to be as thoroughly gripping as any finely tuned albeit adolescent Hollywood nail-biter. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

Works beautifully, both as a social and psychological drama and as a taut, tightly wired thriller. Read full review

Scott Foundas

The Lives of Others wants us to see that the Stasi -- at least some of them -- were, like their Gestapo brethren, “just following orders." You can call that naive optimism on Donnersmarck's part, or historical revisionism of the sort duly lambasted by the current film version of Alan Bennett's "The History Boys." I, for one, tremble at the thought of what this young director does for an encore. Read full review

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User Reviews

Steve

Feb 16, 2009

Given that I give a 10 once every few years this film must be a stand out and it is perhaps the most human film i have seen. Although harrowing, the setting is secondary but the story universal. The lead character could just as easily be an implement of the Church in Reformation times or a Given that I give a 10 once every few years this film must be a stand out and it is perhaps the most human film i have seen. Although harrowing, the setting is secondary but the story universal. The lead character could just as easily be an implement of the Church in Reformation times or a government operative in many a war as it slowly dawns on him that the national values for which he embodys are gone and filled with a perversion. To fulfil what he views as the true values of the country effectively mean treason but a decent man must make a stand. The subject of the surveillance comes to a similar juncture as he too realises that a true patriot doesn… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful

WernerGross

Apr 28, 2007

It reminded me very much of my brief encounter in East Berlin with the split in being a human being within the totalitarian state and the red tape senior officers had to subject themselves too. The decision how to deal with my situation was refered to the PolitBureau.
I am not and neverIt reminded me very much of my brief encounter in East Berlin with the split in being a human being within the totalitarian state and the red tape senior officers had to subject themselves too. The decision how to deal with my situation was refered to the PolitBureau.
I am not and never was a citizen of the DDR.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

gracjanski

Apr 9, 2021

The last third of the movie is incredible, I felt so much sorry for all the people in this dictatorship. Governments were always the biggest terrorists in history.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

WesselK.

Jan 4, 2008

Deeply, deeply moving!...my god what a masterpiece.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Mahmus

Aug 22, 2019

Ulrich Mühe gives and incredible peroformance. He's stoic, composed and unexpresive, yet we really see how he's character changes through the movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ypomoni

Jul 5, 2013

It's a world you've probably heard about, but never actually realised existed. It's real people surviving in such a world. The acting is superb especially the main character (this is where Oscars should be going to).
PS I don't speak a word of german, but that did not get in the way of myIt's a world you've probably heard about, but never actually realised existed. It's real people surviving in such a world. The acting is superb especially the main character (this is where Oscars should be going to).
PS I don't speak a word of german, but that did not get in the way of my enjoying this film. One of the best films in a while? Probably. Definitely worth seeing.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

anonymous

Aug 26, 2008

Shame this film is wrecked by its obvious and heavy handed approach towards the iron curtain countries that it has turned into propaganda. once again, its a bit like "we love democracy so much, yeah!!!!!!"

1 of 6 users found this helpful

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4	#4 Best Movie of 2006
58	#58 Most Discussed Movie of 2006
96	#96 Most Shared Movie of 2006