The Lives of Others

Original title: Das Leben der Anderen

2006
15
2h 17m

IMDb RATING

8.4/10

426K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

962

Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, and Ulrich Mühe in The Lives of Others (2006)

Political Thriller Psychological Drama Spy 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.

Director
- Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Writer
- Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.4/10

426K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

962

Director
- Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Writer
- Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Top rated movie #60

Won 1 Oscar
- 80 wins & 38 nominations total

Photos84

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Storyline

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Did you know

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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.

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 Siskel & Ebert & 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 reviews601

Featured 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.