Winner of the 79th Best Foreign Film Oscar, The Lives of Others is an outstanding psychological and political thriller set in East Berlin in 1984.
The whole cast is excellent. Newcomers to German film will be floored by Ulrich Mühe (who sadly passed away in 2007). Martina Gedeck and Sebastian Koch produce other notable performances.
This outstanding feature debut by writer/director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck will leave you in awe. Incredibly, Henckel von Donnersmarck followed up his masterpiece with the abysmal The Tourist (2010).
The Lives of Others is one of the best films we at Wonderful Cinema have seen. Highly recommended!
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You can find more information on this German-language movie on Wikipedia and IMDb.
As always, we recommend you don’t ruin any surprises by reading spoilers or watching this trailer:
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Title: Das Leben der Anderen
Language: German
Direction: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Screenplay: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Cinematography: Hagen Bogdanski
Editing: Patricia Rommel
Score: Stéphane Moucha, Gabriel Yared
Stars: Ulrich Mühe, Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch
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Stephane Muhe
Wonderful Cinema 
Great film. Stark but powerful. I wasn’t aware that Ulrich Mühe had passed away though. Sad. I guess, you do learn new something every day.
Wasn’t this film incredible! And such a poignant ending.
(Been having a trawl of your database for films set in LA to help with my next book!)
Hi Barbara. How is it come along with the new book?
Hi Shimky! All well here and hope with you too. LA-set book is on the backburner right now but about to start working on memoir set in 1970s north-east mining town. And hoping to adapt Bedpans & Bobby Socks for radio. I’ll be blogging about my progress! Thanks for keeping in touch! (Must get Frankenweenie out next! And I note The Big Lebowski is on TV this Friday.)
The 70s mining town sounds interesting. Good luck!
As we left the theater after seeing this movie, I remember thinking this was one of the best movies I had ever seen. I definitely need to see it again sometime.
Yes, it is one of the best we have seen too. Superb film.
I’ll have to look this one up. Sounds wonderful.
Do, it really is fantastic!
There really is no praise high enough for this modern masterpiece. It is complete in every way imaginable, and without doubt, one of the best films ever made. As you might guess, I like it.
I don’t subscribe to the concept of ‘top ten’ lists, popular on so many blogs. But IF I ever did…
Best wishes, Pete.
This is one of the best films I have ever seen. Remarkable.
Incredible film – such depth and atmosphere and thoroughly involving. I love your reviewing style; very positive and enlightening. Keep up the great work : )
Many thanks!