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The Lives of Others

Original title: Das Leben der Anderen
  • 20062006
  • RR
  • 2h 17m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
383K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,286
195
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, and Ulrich Mühe in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
383K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,286
195
  • Director
    • Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
  • Writer
    • Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
  • Stars
    • Ulrich Mühe
    • Martina Gedeck
    • Sebastian Koch
Top credits
  • Director
    • Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
  • Writer
    • Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
  • Stars
    • Ulrich Mühe
    • Martina Gedeck
    • Sebastian Koch
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 559User reviews
    • 219Critic reviews
    • 89Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #58
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 80 wins & 38 nominations total

    Photos69

    Martina Gedeck and Sebastian Koch in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Ulrich Mühe in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Martina Gedeck in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Sebastian Koch in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Martina Gedeck and Sebastian Koch in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Ulrich Mühe in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Thomas Arnold, Thomas Thieme, and Ulrich Tukur in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Sebastian Koch in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Martina Gedeck and Sebastian Koch in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Martina Gedeck and Sebastian Koch in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Ulrich Mühe and Ulrich Tukur in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)
    Ulrich Mühe and Ulrich Tukur in Das Leben der Anderen (2006)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ulrich Mühe
    Ulrich Mühe
    • Hauptmann Gerd Wiesleras Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler
    Martina Gedeck
    Martina Gedeck
    • Christa-Maria Sielandas Christa-Maria Sieland
    Sebastian Koch
    Sebastian Koch
    • Georg Dreymanas Georg Dreyman
    Ulrich Tukur
    Ulrich Tukur
    • Oberstleutnant Anton Grubitzas Oberstleutnant Anton Grubitz
    Thomas Thieme
    • Minister Bruno Hempfas Minister Bruno Hempf
    Hans-Uwe Bauer
    • Paul Hauseras Paul Hauser
    Volkmar Kleinert
    Volkmar Kleinert
    • Albert Jerskaas Albert Jerska
    Matthias Brenner
    Matthias Brenner
    • Karl Wallneras Karl Wallner
    Charly Hübner
    Charly Hübner
    • Udoas Udo
    Herbert Knaup
    Herbert Knaup
    • Gregor Hessensteinas Gregor Hessenstein
    Bastian Trost
    • Häftling 227as Häftling 227
    Marie Gruber
    Marie Gruber
    • Frau Meinekeas Frau Meineke
    Volker Michalowski
    Volker Michalowski
    • Schriftexperteas Schriftexperte
    • (as Zack Volker Michalowski)
    Werner Daehn
    Werner Daehn
    • Einsatzleiter in Uniformas Einsatzleiter in Uniform
    Martin Brambach
    Martin Brambach
    • Einsatzleiter Meyeras Einsatzleiter Meyer
    Hubertus Hartmann
    • Egon Schwalberas Egon Schwalber
    Thomas Arnold
    Thomas Arnold
    • Nowackas Nowack
    Hinnerk Schönemann
    • Unterleutnant Axel Stigleras Unterleutnant Axel Stigler
    • Director
      • Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
    • Writer
      • Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —garykmcd
    • 1980s
    • stasi
    • spy
    • political thriller
    • berlin wall
    • 215 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Before the Fall of the Berlin Wall, East Germany's Secret Police Listened to Your Secrets
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for some sexuality/nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The punchline of the joke that Grubitz tells in the cafeteria, about there being no difference between Honecker and a telephone, is a play on the words 'aufhängen' and 'neuwählen'. In terms of a telephone it means hang up and redial, respectively. In terms of politics it means hang somebody and elect someone new.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Buchverkäufer: 29.80. Would you like it gift wrapped?

      Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler: No. It's for me.

    • Alternate versions
      The US version features a written prologue in English, explaining the historical context of the film.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Best Films of 2006 (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Ich Wurde Wenn Ich Wusste, Dass Ich Konnte
      Performed by 4PS

      Lyrics By Kurt Demmler

      Music By Joachim-Franz Bartzsch

      Published By Edition Air Franz

      (P) 2007 Colosseum Music Entertainment GmbH, Licensed From Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Germany) GmbH

    User reviews559

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Excellent
    I do agree with all the other positive comments, and just need to add that this is the very first movie about the former GDR I saw that is not something like a comedy. Flicks like "Sonnenallee" or "Good bye Lenin" definitely were great and funny, but unconsciously left myself (a West German) with the impression that the GDR has been a sort of "Mickey Mouse State" full of stupid but charming characters, not really to be taken seriously. After seeing "Das Leben der Anderen" this impression shifted quite a bit: there actually was suffering, killing desperation and a terribly claustrophobic atmosphere behind that wall. This might well be the most realistic depiction of the dark side of the former East Germany. Thanks to the Producers, actors and director for making this movie. 10 out of 10.
    helpful•534
    60
    • hareck
    • May 20, 2006

    FAQ6

    • Is this movie based on a book?
    • I do not understand the "telephone joke" that Grubitz tells in the MfS cafeteria
    • How does Dreyman know when he sees the red thumb print on his file that Wiesler saved him?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 30, 2007 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Germany
      • France
    • Official site
      • Official site (United States)
    • Language
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Khoảnh Khắc Cuộc Đời
    • Filming locations
      • Gedenkstätte Hohenschönhausen, Hohenschönhausen, Berlin, Germany
    • Production companies
      • Wiedemann & Berg Filmproduktion
      • Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR)
      • ARTE
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,286,112
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $223,000
      • Feb 11, 2007
    • Gross worldwide
      • $77,356,942
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 17 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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