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From Amazon.co.uk
In the former East Germany, no-one was above suspicion. Like George Orwell's vision of the future come to life, art and people and relationships were monitored obsessively; The Lives Of Others captures not only the paranoia and danger inherent in such a world, but also expresses hope that even in the most desperate situations, people can make a difference.
The story of The Lives Of Others unfolds mostly through the eyes of a secret service agent who's been given the task of spying on an artistic couple who've attracted the attention of the Minister of Culture. Little by little, he's drawn into their lives even as we're drawn into his; and as he loses his faith in the government, he must decide whether or not to try to hide the transgressions of those he's watching. As the physical danger and emotional cost mounts, it's impossible not to become utterly engrossed; intelligent and well-written, The Lives Of Others is also deeply moving.
It's rare to find a film that really deserves its rave reviews, and considering The Lives Of Others won a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, it's got a lot to live up to. Happily, it's more than just up to scratch--it's absolutely brilliant. --Sarah Dobbs
Product Description
Drama set in East Berlin prior to the fall of the communist government. Captain Gerd Weiser (Ulrich Muhe) is assigned to surveillance duties, specifically to collect information on popular dramatist Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch) and his actress partner Christa Maria Sieland (Martina Gedeck). As he becomes more and more submerged in their lives, Weiser's own attitudes to life, politics and the state begin to change, and it's not long before he finds himself in a dangerous situation.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
241 of 248 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Utterly, utterly wonderful. This is a story of redemption and atonement and explores whether, and to what extent, they are possible. The contrast of the personal joy, love, friendship, kinship and art, against the backdrop and circumstance of the 1984 GDR is completely sublime and the direction is faultless. It is the acting that is jaw-dropping though - an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film is fantastic recognition, but at least three of the four major acting gongs would have found a more deserved home here. The ending is the most appropriate and well edited I have ever come across and left me in tears - a personal first for any film. I cannot give it higher praise than the truth - I have never seen better cinema than this. Enjoy.
83 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film holds you spellbound. I saw it first in the cinema and you could have heard a pin drop. Had read the critics rave reviews particularly about one actor but didn't realise who it was until about half hour into the film. Ulrich Muhe is absolutely superb in his role as the Stasi Officer. He gives a faultless performance. He dominates every scene. How sad to find out he died not too long after making this film. This film is without doubt the best film I have seen in many years. The atmosphere of the GDR inhibits you. The horrors and loss of liberty suddenly become real to the viewer in a way that has never been portrayed before. Fantastic direction of superb actors at a magnificent pace. Buy this and add it to your collection, it will become a classic.
130 of 135 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) is one of the best films I've seen in a long, long time. It's sad, thoughtful and redemptive, and it deals with major themes. We're in East Germany a few years before the fall of the Berlin wall. The Stasi are everywhere, watching everyone and punishing in brutal or subtle ways anyone who might be even an implied threat to the government. Their greatest tool is the system of informers that reaches everywhere, people who may relay indiscretions to the Stasi because they believe in what they are doing, but more often are compromised into doing so. People are given terrible choices to either work with the Stasi as informers or see their careers or their children's futures destroyed. One-third of the East German population is kept under Stasi surveillance. Everyone, it seems, is being watched by someone.
Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch) is a playwright who has made his accommodations with the regime, has won awards and has learned not to go too far. The mere fact that he is seen as reliable makes him a subject of Stasi interest. That, and because his lover, the actress Christa-Maria Sieland (Martina Gedeck), is coveted by a powerful official who wants Dreyman ruined. Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Muhe), a dedicated, colorless Stasi officer, noted for his reliability and interrogation skills, is assigned the job of monitoring Dreyman. This means installing bugs in Dreyman's apartment where Dreyman lives with Sieland, setting up 24 hour monitoring, recording everything and preparing reports. Wiesler takes his share of listening in. Weisler seems to have no purpose but his dedication to the ideals of the East German system, but even he can see the corruption of those ideals.... Read more ›
Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch) is a playwright who has made his accommodations with the regime, has won awards and has learned not to go too far. The mere fact that he is seen as reliable makes him a subject of Stasi interest. That, and because his lover, the actress Christa-Maria Sieland (Martina Gedeck), is coveted by a powerful official who wants Dreyman ruined. Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Muhe), a dedicated, colorless Stasi officer, noted for his reliability and interrogation skills, is assigned the job of monitoring Dreyman. This means installing bugs in Dreyman's apartment where Dreyman lives with Sieland, setting up 24 hour monitoring, recording everything and preparing reports. Wiesler takes his share of listening in. Weisler seems to have no purpose but his dedication to the ideals of the East German system, but even he can see the corruption of those ideals.... Read more ›
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By J A C Corbett
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
An enormously powerful tale of human redemption, the Lives of Others takes the oft-ignored story (in the UK at least) of the Stasi, and how it willfully destroyed the lives of East German citizens in perversely minor - but devastating - ways. It also captures many other elements of the world behind the iron curtain: the dullness and inaninity of life in East Berlin is brilliantly restored (indeed it seems incredible that communism was such a recent phenomenon); the corruption of party members; the cruelty and political games censorship imposes; the closeted lives of East Germans (everyone in the world it seems is aware of the Berlin Wall falling, except those in East Berlin).
At the heart of the film is the late Ulrich Muhe, who we see evolve from cold-hearted Stasi apparatchik to underminer of the organization's ways. In a superbly constructed performance, we see how he recognizes the inanity of East Germany and all that the Stasi represent. At the same time, this purportedly strong man is subtly shown to be a sad and lonely individual.
At the film's critical juncture, The Lives of Others combines the elements of unexpectedness that made the Shawshank Redemption great, and the moment of chance that defined Lolita. At this point I thought the credits would roll, but it went on for another three, telling scenes. The beautifully understated conclusion made me weep. Film of the year by a mile; Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
At the heart of the film is the late Ulrich Muhe, who we see evolve from cold-hearted Stasi apparatchik to underminer of the organization's ways. In a superbly constructed performance, we see how he recognizes the inanity of East Germany and all that the Stasi represent. At the same time, this purportedly strong man is subtly shown to be a sad and lonely individual.
At the film's critical juncture, The Lives of Others combines the elements of unexpectedness that made the Shawshank Redemption great, and the moment of chance that defined Lolita. At this point I thought the credits would roll, but it went on for another three, telling scenes. The beautifully understated conclusion made me weep. Film of the year by a mile; Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
73 of 76 people found the following review helpful
By B. Miller
Format:DVD
Upon hearing the rave reviews for this film and noticing that it had won Best Foreign Picture at the Oscars, I was expecting to be a little disappointed. How wrong I was. This film does nothing spectacularly different or innovative. It just tells its story and tells it extremely well.
The acting is amazing and if the Oscars had any credibility then Ulrich Muhe would have been nominated in the best actor category. His character starts off as cold and not very likeable, however, we gradually warm to him and by the end my opinion of him had changed utterly. I've only learned upon reading this page that Muhe died shortly after completing this film. It really is a fitting tribute.
It's one of the few films that has moved me to tears by the end and it wasn't achieved by cheap sentimentality but a genuinely moving story and fantastic performances all round.
The acting is amazing and if the Oscars had any credibility then Ulrich Muhe would have been nominated in the best actor category. His character starts off as cold and not very likeable, however, we gradually warm to him and by the end my opinion of him had changed utterly. I've only learned upon reading this page that Muhe died shortly after completing this film. It really is a fitting tribute.
It's one of the few films that has moved me to tears by the end and it wasn't achieved by cheap sentimentality but a genuinely moving story and fantastic performances all round.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Das Leben der Anderen
I study this film for my German A-Level and previously my copy of it had been borrowed from the Languages Department at my sixth form, so I was delighted to receive my own... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Anthony George Garbett
1.0 out of 5 stars
very poor subtitles
very poor subtitles bought for studies at university had to get a link from friend to watch this on you tube
Published 1 month ago by frances oshea
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impressive and powerful
A powerful film with moving examples the of human nature that makes us struggle with our emotions. Perfect! Loved it!
Published 1 month ago by M. Teresa Paula
5.0 out of 5 stars
Without doubt, one of the best ever.
This 2006 film is distinguished by winning both The Oscar and Bafta for best foreign film, as well as numerous other prestigious awards. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. P. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, thought provoking film
One of the most gripping films I have seen - it starts to build tension right from the beginning, but in a quiet way. You realise half way through that you are held by it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Clare King
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best film
It is a brilliant portrayal of life during the cold war in East Germany
It is very helpful, if you are learning German as it is in German with English subtitles
It is a... Read more
It is very helpful, if you are learning German as it is in German with English subtitles
It is a... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alexandrine Norton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant film - only just discovered.
We first saw this film in an apartment on Karl Marx Alley in East Berlin - which was the location for several of the final scenes in the film- quite a spooky experience. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Will
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must see film
A great premis, with great acting and not hindered by subtitles. The backdrop being pre glasnost Berlin giving an insight to the claustrophobia of communism.
Published 3 months ago by The Scrutineer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Had to write an essay on this film so decided to buy it, delivered swiftly and the DVD is great, good film.
Published 4 months ago by H W
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good value for the money
Sad film worth watching I am very pleased with it I would buy again very good price 10/10 very pleased
Published 4 months ago by Good Value
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