The Lives of Others (2006)
Das Leben der Anderen (original title)Reference View | Change View
- R
- 2h 17min
- Drama, Mystery
- 30 Mar 2007 (USA)
- Movie
In 1984 East Berlin, an agent of the secret police conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover finds himself becoming increasingly absorbed by their lives.
Director:
Writer:
Awards:
- Won 1 Oscar. Another 79 wins & 38 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Martina Gedeck | ... |
Christa-Maria Sieland
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| Ulrich Mühe | ... |
Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler
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| Sebastian Koch | ... |
Georg Dreyman
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| Ulrich Tukur | ... |
Oberstleutnant Anton Grubitz
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Thomas Thieme | ... |
Minister Bruno Hempf
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Hans-Uwe Bauer | ... |
Paul Hauser
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| Volkmar Kleinert | ... |
Albert Jerska
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| Matthias Brenner | ... |
Karl Wallner
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| Charly Hübner | ... |
Udo
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| Herbert Knaup | ... |
Gregor Hessenstein
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Bastian Trost | ... |
Häftling 227
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| Marie Gruber | ... |
Frau Meineke
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| Volker Zack | ... |
Schriftexperte
(as Zack Volker Michalowski)
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| Werner Daehn | ... |
Einsatzleiter in Uniform
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| Martin Brambach | ... |
Einsatzleiter Meyer
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Hubertus Hartmann | ... |
Egon Schwalber
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| Thomas Arnold | ... |
Nowack
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| Hinnerk Schönemann | ... |
Unterleutnant Axel Stigler
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Paul Faßnacht | ... |
Onkel Frank Hauser
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| Ludwig Blochberger | ... |
Benedikt Lehmann
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Paul Maximilian Schüller | ... |
Junge mit Ball
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Susanna Kraus | ... |
Andrea
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Gabi Fleming | ... |
Prostituierte 'Ute'
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Michael Gerber | ... |
Zahnarzt Dr. Czimmy
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Fabian von Klitzing | ... |
Tagesschausprecher
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Harald Polzin | ... |
Wächter
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Sheri Hagen | ... |
'Martha' 1991
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| Gitta Schweighöfer | ... |
'Anja' 1984
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Elja-Dusa Kedves | ... |
'Anja' 1991
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| Hildegard Schroedter | ... |
'Elena' 1984
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| Inga Birkenfeld | ... |
'Elena' 1991 / BStU-Mitarbeiterin
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Philipp Kewenig | ... |
Christas Verhafter
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Jens Wassermann | ... |
'Rolf' Andi Wenzke-Falkenau
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Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky | ... |
Bandleader
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Manfred Ludwig Sextett | ... |
Band
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| Kai Ivo Baulitz | ... |
Buchverkäufer
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Charlene Beck | ... |
cubanische Schülerin (uncredited)
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Ralf Ehrlich | ... |
Kollege in der Stasi-Kantine (uncredited)
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| Anabelle D. Munro | ... |
Theatre Actress (uncredited)
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| Klaus Münster | ... |
Erich Mielke (uncredited) (voice)
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Directed by
| Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck | ||
Written by
| Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Quirin Berg | ... | producer |
| Claudia Gladziejewski | ... | co-producer: BR |
| Dirk Hamm | ... | co-producer |
| Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck | ... | co-producer |
| Monika Lobkowicz | ... | co-producer: BR - Arte |
| Andreas Schreitmüller | ... | co-producer: Arte |
| Hubert von Spreti | ... | producer: BR |
| Max Wiedemann | ... | producer |
Music by
| Stéphane Moucha | ||
| Gabriel Yared | ||
Cinematography by
| Hagen Bogdanski | ||
Editing by
| Patricia Rommel | ||
Editorial Department
| Julie Bargeton | ... | assistant editor |
| Sylvain Coutandin | ... | post-production assistant |
| Arne Herrmann | ... | editor: making of |
| Ute Lingner | ... | film lab manager |
| Stefan Müller | ... | managing director film lab |
| Gabriela Schultze | ... | sales manager film lab |
| Olivia Retzer | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Simone Bär | ||
Production Design by
| Silke Buhr | ||
Art Direction by
| Christiane Rothe | ||
Set Decoration by
| Frank Noack | ||
Costume Design by
| Gabriele Binder | ||
Makeup Department
| Tamar Aviv | ... | assistant makeup artist: extras |
| Annett Schulze | ... | makeup artist |
| Sabine Schumann | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Oliver Berger | ... | assistant set manager |
| Lisa Schmidt | ... | unit production manager (as Lisa Kolodzik) |
| Tom Sternitzke | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Katrin Arendt | ... | trainee assistant director |
| Claudia Beewen | ... | assistant director |
| Katharina Hofmann | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| MC Fitti | ... | construction |
| Felix Gallo | ... | painter |
| Hannes Koch | ... | construction |
| Olaf Kronenthal | ... | standby props |
| Mathias Lücking | ... | construction |
| Frank Noack | ... | construction coordinator |
| Michael Roggemann | ... | draughtsman |
| Christian Sitta | ... | assistant production designer |
| Klaus Spielhagen | ... | film architect |
| Danny Stuchlik | ... | construction |
| Daniela von Waberer | ... | painter |
| Sandra Zimmerle | ... | assistant property master: indoor |
| Gonda Hinrichs | ... | construction coordinator (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Eva Claudius | ... | adr editor |
| João Da Costa Pinto | ... | foley editor |
| Manni Gläser | ... | sound post production manager |
| Detlef Halaski | ... | adr mixer |
| Larry Hopkins | ... | layback sound mixer |
| Andrea Koschmieder | ... | dialogue editor |
| Alexander Ochs | ... | intern |
| Jörn Poetzl | ... | foley artist |
| Hubertus Rath | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Oliver Schnug | ... | boom operator |
| Philipp Sellier | ... | foley recordist |
| Christoph von Schönburg | ... | sound designer / supervising sound editor |
| Arno Wilms | ... | production sound mixer |
Special Effects by
| Adrian Lorberth | ... | special effects (as Adrian Lorbert) |
| Hans Seck | ... | special effects |
Visual Effects by
| Frank Rohlfing | ... | title and animation effects |
| Maik Strauch | ... | color timer |
Stunts
| Alister Mazzotti | ... | stunts |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Stefan Eckert | ... | lighting technician |
| Nicolay Gutscher | ... | assistant camera |
| Hagen Keller | ... | still photographer |
| Heiko Kohl | ... | best boy grip |
| Michael Koschorreck | ... | lighting technician |
| Ralph Leopold | ... | lighting technician |
| Holger Löhner | ... | lighting technician |
| Richard Nitsche | ... | lighting technician |
| Jürgen Ruge | ... | lighting technician |
| Michael Röska | ... | gaffer |
| Martin Sell | ... | lighting technician |
| Stephan Sommersberg | ... | key grip |
| Theresa von Eltz | ... | video operator |
| Florian Wentzel | ... | lighting technician |
Casting Department
| Marcel Dykiert | ... | extras casting assistant |
| Iris Müller | ... | extras casting |
| Kirstin Plotz | ... | casting assistant |
Location Management
| Thomas Duchnicki | ... | location scout |
| Erika Falk | ... | location scout |
| Peter Maasz | ... | location manager |
| Ana-Mona Müller-Schwerin | ... | location scout |
| Martin Zillger | ... | location scout |
Music Department
| Jean-Pierre Arquié | ... | music consultant (as Jean-Pierre Arquie) |
| The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra | ... | orchestra |
| Jan Holzner | ... | music recording/mixing engineer |
| Adam Klemens | ... | conductor |
| Philipp Fabian Kölmel | ... | music recordist: pre-production (as Philipp F. Kölmel) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Matthias Junge | ... | continuity / script supervisor |
Additional Crew
| Oliver Berger | ... | assistant set manager |
| Jan Bludau | ... | set runner |
| Kamil Friebel | ... | set runner |
| Christine Haupt | ... | production coordinator |
| Holger Köhler-Kaeß | ... | set runner |
| Martin Pust | ... | set runner |
| Wolfgang Rhaden | ... | production accountant |
| Paul Rohlfs | ... | set runner |
| Eva Simonet | ... | press attaché: France |
| Sally Steele | ... | publicist |
| Nicole Wolfarth | ... | researcher |
| Anabelle D. Munro | ... | double: Monica Gedeck (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Erna Baumbauer | ... | special thanks |
| Sebastian Henckel-Donnersmarck | ... | special thanks |
| Kathrin Lohmann | ... | thanks |
| Jörg Stempel | ... | special thanks |
| Mahée Thorak | ... | grateful thanks |
Production Companies
- Wiedemann & Berg Filmproduktion
- Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) (co-production)
- ARTE (co-production)
- Creado Film (co-production)
Distributors
- 01 Distribution (2007) (Italy) (theatrical)
- ABC Distribution (2007) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- Albatros Film (2007) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Alfa Films (2007) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Bontonfilm (2007) (Czechia) (theatrical) (subtitled)
- Buena Vista International (2006) (Austria) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista International (2006) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista International (2006) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- Cathay-Keris Films (2007) (Singapore) (theatrical)
- Chantier Films (2007) (Turkey) (theatrical)
- Cinemien (2007) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Gemini Film (2007) (Russia) (theatrical)
- Lionsgate (2006) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Mongrel Media (2007) (Canada) (theatrical) (subtitled)
- Océan Films (2007) (France) (theatrical)
- Prooptiki (2006) (Greece) (theatrical)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution Sverige AB (2006) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2006) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Sony Pictures Classics (2007) (United States) (theatrical) (subtitled)
- 01 Distribution (2007) (Italy) (DVD)
- 01 Distribution (2011) (Italy) (Blu-ray)
- Buena Vista International (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
- Buena Vista International (2006) (Switzerland) (DVD)
- Buena Vista International (2008) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Cameo Media (2007) (Spain) (DVD)
- Canvas (2016) (Belgium) (tv)
- Europa Filmes (2008) (Brazil) (DVD)
- Europa Filmes (2011) (Brazil) (Blu-ray)
- Homescreen (2007) (Belgium) (DVD)
- Homescreen (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Homescreen (2012) (Netherlands) (Blu-ray)
- Leonine Distribution (2021) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Leonine Distribution (2021) (Germany) (DVD)
- Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2007) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2010) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray)
- Rai Movie (2016) (Italy) (tv)
- Roadshow Entertainment (2007) (Australia) (DVD)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2007) (Finland) (DVD)
- Sandrews (2007) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Sandrews (2012) (Sweden) (Blu-ray)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- TF1 Vidéo (2007) (France) (DVD)
- TF1 Vidéo (2008) (France) (Blu-ray)
- The Criterion Channel (2019) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2007) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Vrijzinnig Protestantse Radio Omroep (VPRO) (2016) (Netherlands) (tv) (NPO2)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2009) (Finland) (tv)
- Zima Entertainment (2007) (Mexico) (DVD)
- Zima Entertainment (2009) (Mexico) (Blu-ray)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Aldershof Requisiten Fundus (costumes and props)
- Champagne Veuve Clicquot (thanks)
- CinePostproduction (post-production facilities)
- FilmFernsehFonds Bayern (funding)
- Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) (funding)
- Götterspeisen Filmcatering (catering)
- Just Publicity (public relations)
- Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg (funding)
- Symphonic Orchestra of the City of Prague (orchestra)
- Theaterkunst (costume rental)
- Theaterkunst (costume)
- Toronto International Film Festival (festival)
- Vantage Film (camera equipment provided by)
- Varèse Sarabande (soundtrack)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Gerd Wiesler is an officer with the Stasi, the East German secret police. The film begins in 1984 when Wiesler attends a play written by Georg Dreyman, who is considered by many to be the ultimate example of the loyal citizen. Wiesler has a gut feeling that Dreyman can't be as ideal as he seems, and believes surveillance is called for. The Minister of Culture agrees but only later does Wiesler learn that the Minister sees Dreyman as a rival and lusts after his partner Christa-Maria. The more time he spends listening in on them, the more he comes to care about them. The once rigid Stasi officer begins to intervene in their lives, in a positive way, protecting them whenever possible. Eventually, Wiesler's activities catch up to him and while there is no proof of wrongdoing, he finds himself in menial jobs - until the unbelievable happens. Written by garykmcd |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Before the Fall of the Berlin Wall, East Germany's Secret Police Listened to Your Secrets See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $2,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend Germany | EUR814,337, 26 Mar 2006 |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $77,356,819, 01 Feb 2009 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | All the listening/recording props in the film are actual Stasi equipment on loan from museums and collectors. The props master had spent two years in a Stasi prison, and insisted upon absolute authenticity, down to the machine used to steam-open up to 600 letters per hour. See more » |
| Goofs | Secretary Hempf's car is a 1980s stretch version of a Volvo 264. But all the interior scenes are shot using a Mercedes Benz S-Class Pullmann from the time of the film production. In a short clip the Mercedes is also used for an exterior shot, when Grubitz enters the car outside the ministry building. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Best Films of 2006 (2006). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Ich Wurde Wenn Ich Wusste, Dass Ich Konnte See more » |
| Quotes |
[last lines]
Buchverkäufer: 29.80. Would you like it gift wrapped? Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler: No. It's for me. See more » |