The Lives of Others
2006, Drama/History, 2h 17m
162 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
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. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Christa-Maria Sieland
Capt. Gerd Wiesler
Georg Dreyman
Lt. Col. Anton Grubitz
Minister Bruno Hempf
Paul Hauser
News & Interviews for The Lives of Others
Critic Reviews for The Lives of Others
All Critics (162) | Top Critics (61) | Fresh (149) | Rotten (13)
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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… -
Donnersmarck makes an assured debut, builds the atmosphere of deceit, suspicion and suffocation and also undercuts it with some jokey moments.
January 30, 2019 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review… -
The Lives of Others is exquisitely tense, with massive stakes and a pervasive sense of danger.
August 23, 2018 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review… -
Reopens our eyes to the cruelties and soul assassinations that were carried out daily in the name of state socialism.
September 26, 2014 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… -
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November 18, 2011 | Rating: 5/5 -
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November 17, 2011 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Lives of Others
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Mar 12, 2017The intersection of art, politics, and surveillance here is profoundly interesting. Ultimately not a historical chronicle of East Germany, but a story about the inevitable failure of all totalitarian regimes which, despite much of the film's depressing plot, makes it quite hopeful.Alec B Super Reviewer
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Mar 18, 2016The depth and poignancy of The Lives of Others makes it an unforgettable masterpiece, and this film is nothing less than one of the best I've ever seen. Kudos to the late Ulrich Muhe for his performance of a lifetime.Maymay A Super Reviewer
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May 23, 2013"The Lives of Others" is not the espionage action-thriller I had been led to believe it was. There is a great deal of tension to be found in some of its sequences, but for the most part, director/writer Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck avoids the tired shootouts and car chases in favor of well-written characters and thought-provoking drama. I was sad to see the characters portrayed by Ulrich Mühe and Sebastian Koch (both of whom are incredible in their roles) go. Also, "The Lives of Others" contains one of the most inspiring endings I have ever seen.Stephen E Super Reviewer
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Oct 27, 2012Chilling and powerful. Yes -- it's in German. Get over it.Christian C Super Reviewer
The Lives of Others Quotes
| Bookseller: | Want it gift-wrapped? |
| Captain Gerd Wiesler: | No, it's for me. |
| Georg Dreyman: | The state office for statistics on Hans-Beimler street counts everything; knows everything: how many pairs of shoes I buy a year: 2.3, how many books I read a year: 3.2 and how many students graduate with perfect marks: 6,347. But there's one statistic that isn't collected there, perhaps because such numbers cause even paper-pushers pain: and that is the suicide rate. |
| Captain Gerd Wiesler: | An innocent prisoner will become more angry by the hour due to the injustice suffered. He will shout and rage. A guilty prisoner becomes more calm and quiet. Or he cries. He knows he's there for a reason. The best way to establish guilt or innocence is non-stop interrogation. |
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