The Lives of Others poster
8/10 2006 2h 17m Released

Before the Fall of the Berlin Wall, East Germany's Secret Police Listened to Your Secrets.

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.

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Top Cast

Martina Gedeck
Martina Gedeck
Christa-Maria Sieland
Ulrich Mühe
Ulrich Mühe
Gerd Wiesler
Sebastian Koch
Sebastian Koch
Georg Dreyman
Ulrich Tukur
Ulrich Tukur
Anton Grubitz
Thomas Thieme
Thomas Thieme
Bruno Hempf
Hans-Uwe Bauer
Hans-Uwe Bauer
Paul Hauser
Volkmar Kleinert
Volkmar Kleinert
Albert Jerska
Matthias Brenner
Matthias Brenner
Karl Wallner
Charly Hübner
Charly Hübner
Udo
Herbert Knaup
Herbert Knaup
Gregor Hessenstein
Bastian Trost
Bastian Trost
Häftling 227
Marie Gruber
Marie Gruber
Frau Meineke
Volker Michalowski
Volker Michalowski
Schriftexperte
Werner Daehn
Werner Daehn
Einsatzleiter in Uniform
Hinnerk Schönemann
Hinnerk Schönemann
Axel Stigler
Thomas Arnold
Thomas Arnold
Nowack

Reviews

portman123 10/10

Good guys facing tragic circumstances in an interesting period of history. Because you view the main characters lives from the perspective of the morally confused Stasi Officer investigating them, you receive more information than the characters have about their hopeless situation. This makes it all the more tragic to see the suffering they endure. Absolutely love this film. The only film so far to make my…

CinemaSerf 7/10

This isn't so much a thriller as a glaring example of the corrupting power of the state, and of those charged with crafting and implementing it's policies. "Dreyman" (Sebastian Koch) is an East German playwright who is popular with the communist elite because his works manage to extol the virtues of their people's republic. The minister "Hempf" (Thomas Thieme) goes through all the supportive motions with him, but…

userloser 10/10

20 years later, still one of the great movies of the century. An amazing realistic take on the last days of the failing East German state at a time when the lessons from its deserved demise are being forgotten and propaganda is trying to repaint it as greatness. Interesting script, great performances and direction, deep and multi-layered message. A must watch.

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FAQ about The Lives of Others

What is The Lives of Others about?
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.
When was The Lives of Others released?
The Lives of Others was released in 2006.
What genres does The Lives of Others belong to?
The Lives of Others is categorised as Drama, Thriller.
Who stars in The Lives of Others?
The cast of The Lives of Others includes Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Mühe, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur, Thomas Thieme.