The Lives of Others

2006, History/Drama, 2h 17m

162 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

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. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

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.

Cast & Crew

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
Hans-Uwe Bauer
Paul Hauser
Herbert Knaup
Gregor Hessenstein
Volkmar Kleinert
Albert Jerski
Matthias Brenner
Karl Wallner
Charly Hübner
Udo
Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Director
Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Writer
Quirin Berg
Producer
Max Wiedemann
Producer
Gabriel Yared
Original Music
Stéphane Moucha
Original Music
Hagen Bogdanski
Cinematography
Patricia Rommel
Film Editing
Simone Bär
Casting
Silke Buhr
Production Design
Frank Noack
Set Decoration
Gabriele Binder
Costume Design
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Critic Reviews for The Lives of Others

All Critics (162) | Top Critics (61) | Fresh (149) | Rotten (13)
Full Review… Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express Full Review… Namrata Joshi Outlook Full Review… Christy Lemire ChristyLemire.com Full Review… David Gritten Daily Telegraph (UK) Full Review… David Fear Time Out Full Review… Hank Sartin Time Out Full Review… David Walsh World Socialist Web Site Full Review… Ard Vijn ScreenAnarchy Full Review… Matthew Lucas The Dispatch (Lexington, NC) Full Review… Timothy Garton Ash The New York Review of Books Full Review… Richard Porton Cinema Scope Full Review… Dorothy Woodend The Tyee (British Columbia)
View All Critic Reviews (162)

Audience Reviews for The Lives of Others

  • Mar 12, 2017
    The 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
  • Mar 18, 2016
    The 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
  • 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
  • Oct 27, 2012
    Chilling and powerful. Yes -- it's in German. Get over it.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
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