Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Jacob the Liar

Jacob the Liar

Seen it?

1974 | 100 min | History, Drama, Comedy

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Great for anyone looking to switch off and smile and anyone who likes stories from the past brought to life. Leaves you with something to think about. Liked Schindler's List or Good Morning, Vietnam? This is a good next one.
The mood
Funny with heart.
The pace
Gives its people room to develop, at 1 hr 40 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1974: an older pace and style.
  • Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

A Jewish ghetto in the east of Europe, 1944. By coincidence, Jakob Heym eavesdrops on a German radio broadcast announcing the Soviet Army is making slow by steady progress towards central Europe. In order to keep his companion in misfortune, Mischa, from risking his life for a few potatoes, he tells him what he heard and announces that he is in possession of a radio - in the ghetto a crime punishable by death. It doesn't take long for word of Jakob's secret to spread - suddenly, there is new hope and something to live for - and so Jakob finds himself in the uncomforting position of having to come up with more and more stories.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 4K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Frank Beyer

  • Vlastimil BrodskýJakob Heym
  • Erwin GeschonneckKowalski
  • Henry HübchenMischa
  • Blanche KommerellRose Frankfurter
  • Manuela SimonLina
  • Zsuzsa GordonMrs. Frankfurter
  • Armin Mueller-StahlRoman Schlamm
  • Friedrich RichterDr. Kirschbaum
  • Margit BaraJosefa
  • Reimar Johannes BaurHerschel Schlamm