The Lives of Others
Seen it?2006 | 137 min | Drama, Thriller
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences adore it (8.0 out of 10), it won an Oscar and it made about 39 times its budget. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved The Bourne Supremacy or Casablanca, start here.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 17 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
In 1984 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler begins spying on a famous playwright and his actress-lover Christa-Maria. Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, and faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
92% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesVery strong
8.0 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best International Feature Film. Plus 5 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$78 million worldwide on a $2 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
Not enough engagement data yet
Trailer
More like this
The Bourne Supremacy
Saturday SpecialAnother spy drama, and a Saturday Special.
Casablanca Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed spy drama.
Alone in Berlin
Weeknight WatchAnother thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
American Gangster Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
The Shawshank Redemption Friday Night FlickAnother much-loved drama.
Cast & crew
Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
- Martina GedeckChrista-Maria Sieland
- Ulrich MüheGerd Wiesler
- Sebastian KochGeorg Dreyman
- Ulrich TukurAnton Grubitz
- Thomas ThiemeBruno Hempf
- Hans-Uwe BauerPaul Hauser
- Volkmar KleinertAlbert Jerska
- Matthias BrennerKarl Wallner
- Charly HübnerUdo
- Herbert KnaupGregor Hessenstein