The Lives of Others -- What Makes This Movie Great? (Episode 145)

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Disclaimer: All reasonable comments are welcome, including reasoned disagreements. You will be banned for foolish talk, harassment, and hate speech on sight; it's a tremendous waste of life. I believe in freedom of association and, by extension, freedom of dissociation from you.

[@89Awww]

"No, it's for me." These powerful words uttered by Gerd Wiesler at the end of the movie created one of the finest conclusions in cinematic history.

[@meerkatz74]

💯 %

[@user-vn9jm2gm7k]

It truly did..

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

What’s so clever is that the theme ends on the very final word, but even better, it’s implied.

[@alasdairwatson712]

I totally agree.

[@judygustafson5846]

I TOTALLY agree with you!! this is one of my all-time favorite movies. I’ve watched that ending 100 times I love it.

[@Scoundrill]

Such a beautiful film. The ending gets to me every time. Thank you for talking about it.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome.

[@HouseholdDog]

The main actor was fantastic. He managed to convey so much emotion in such a subtle way.

[@achasingafterthewind]

I took a class on post-WWII Germany in college that was created to commemorate the 25th anniversary of German reunification. Luckily for me, I took it for political science credit, so I got to write everything in English, while everyone else who took it for German credit had to write some things in German. The class was about both East and West Germany, but of course, the East was more interesting and we spent more time in class learning about it. One of the most interesting parts of the class was going over the Stasi and its relationship with citizens, both how it terrorized them and got them to inform on each other--for the children especially, it was shocking to learn how effective the propaganda was in East Germany that those children placed a higher value on loyalty to the government than to their own family. We actually watched this movie in class, which I had already seen, watched again so I could get the essay out of the way quickly, then watched it with the rest of the class, so I've watched it three times now, and I enjoyed it each time. One thing that stuck out to me was what motivation the Stasi officials had in carrying out their work. The entire reason Dreyman is surveilled is not because of any serious national security concern, but because Hempf wants to steal his girlfriend. Hempf then orders Grubitz to carry out the surveillance, which he does because his greatest ambition is to be promoted. Both of these men demonstrate the banality of evil, that they do evil things not out of some great love for the government or its beliefs and goals, but purely so they can attain their own desires. Wiesler seems to have absolutely no inner life at all, so it's difficult to see what motivates him to do his work, but it could possibly be that he does it because he's good at it, which gives some sense of purpose to his life. After listening to Dreyman and Sieland, however, he realizes that their relationship is something beautiful and human, two things missing from his life, which inspires him to dedicate himself to protecting them. In a country full of backstabbing and people only watching their own back, the film shows how a moment of genuine concern for someone can turn into compassion and a radical act of selflessness. Around the time I first watched this, I also saw Downfall, which shows Hitler's last days before his suicide. Both films have received heavy criticism for "humanizing" evil men, in the first case showing a Stasi official going against his superiors to protect a couple, and in the second, showing that Hitler was capable of human emotions and wasn't just a one-dimensional movie villain. While I've read some valid criticism regarding the impossibility of Wiesler's actions in the film, considering how effective the Stasi was at internal surveillance and inculcating complete heartlessness in its members, I do think both films show that the good/evil divide is more of a spectrum than a binary system, and it is our choices that define our actions--a man who does evil can choose to do good, and a man who loves his dog and is capable of forming close relationships with other people can also be capable of killing 11 million people. Have you seen another film by Henckel von Donnersmarck, Don't Look Away? When it came out, I saw a bunch of people praising it as one of the greatest films they'd ever seen, but I haven't heard much about it since.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

awesome comment, as usual. I have not seen that. Thought about going through his short list of films. I will put it on my watchlist.

[@swarnashlokechakraborty5392]

I think its Never Look Away

[@jackfitzpatrick8173]

An outstanding film! Why? Because that although it wasn't a story of actual individuals it was a vivid recreation of what countries like East Germany,North Korea and at least a few others were/are. I visited West Berlin in the early 80s and I included a visit to the Brandenburg Gate. While there an army jeep approached where I was standing and two British soldiers got out. One went up toward the Wall (nearby) and the other stood next to me. The one next to me started waving at the East German guards in the nearby tower. As he waved he said to me "They hate it when we do this". I asked "Do they ever wave back?" and he answered "Are you kidding? They'd wind up in prison".

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@jackfitzpatrick8173]

@@LearningaboutMovies A few years ago I started reading a book about the Stasi (sadly, I didn't finish it) and in it Simon Weisenthal, the famous concentration camp survivor and Nazi hunter, was quoted as saying that in his opinion the Stasi was worse than the Gestapo. You've gotta be pretty damn bad to be worse than the Gestapo! Addendum: Just did a bit of research and found that the man who played the main character, the Stasi agent, was married to a woman who was a Stasi informant and, as a result, he was being watched by the Stasi. It seems that she claimed that she didn't know that her "handler" was Stasi...but that seems to be a convenient excuse. It's said he based his performance on the knowledge that he had been spied upon in real life.

[@phillipsmiley5930]

@@jackfitzpatrick8173 The Gestapo believed they were defending Germans from non germans. the Stazi believed they were defending Socialism from anyone

[@snicky58]

This is probably my favorite movie of all time. So much to love about it, including the gorgeous, evocative soundtrack.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@evenorahpausetdaviod4368]

RIP Ulrich Mühe. Love Martina gedeck, especially in Die Wand

[@yasminzimnowodzki5357]

I lived in the GDR for two years vor der Wende. This film brought tears to my eyes as I,too,was spied on. I have yet to see the files,but this film has inspired me to do so. I will find out who was friend and foe. I remember the plumber in Jena who came to mend my fridge telling me that every third person was in the Stasi and I should be very very careful whom I trusted. I hope he did not get into trouble for this!

[@JB-pd3ir]

Thank you for sharing your story.

[@stangerling9412]

This is one of the all-time greats for me.. the most powerful ending for a movie.. I was singing praises about this film to anyone I interacted with for about a week after I first watched it

[@joshdesko1627]

The Lives of Others, along with Downfall, are both German films that are two of best films from the 2000s that I’ve seen.

[@malicia2935]

Watch Gegen die Wand / Head On

[@hanssquirrel302]

Also watch the baader-meinhof complex, the miracle of Bern or the experiment or goodbye, lenin!

[@Phil_Burton]

Great stuff, I also the the scene where the head Stasi Goon is telling Wiesler he will ruin his life forever and then the camera pans down to the old newspaper saying Gorbachev is now the USSR Premiere. We in the audience know the GDR is doomed but it seems so strong in the film (the police torture college where everything is normal! etc), it really sets up the final act.

[@antonblascak581]

I would like to point out the last line of the movie :) (at least I think it was the last one)... felt very fitting to me

[@emmavenable6077]

If you ever feel despair creeping up on you and start to lose faith in humanity- watch this movie! It will save your soul! I know I will be revisiting this masterpiece over and over again!

[@AlonsoRules]

The Lives of Others is an acting masterclass

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@zissumanter]

This movie is one of my favorites. Fredrich Mühe the actor in the leading role had a star performance.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@Conenion]

Ulrich Mühe. R.I.P.

[@RockNRoll-wb8fn]

THE MUSIC IN THIS MOVIE MAKES ME FALL ASLEEP EVERY TIME I TRIED TO REWATCH IT !! THIS ENDING IS NOT LIKE A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE-ENDING, ITS SOO MUCH BETTER !!

[@seansabu310]

Ulriche Muhe is transcendental, with a fevertley researched and intelligently written script .....

[@olgakipke3720]

This movie is from 2022. Most people just don't get it. Yet.

[@josephwood4160]

One of the greatest movies I've ever seen

[@williamreynolds1163]

Another excellent critique as ever.I do wonder if the colour red is also representative of idealism as well as freedom .Though oddly one could argue that Wiesler is in fact the idealist in that he believes that what he is doing for the best (not sure he is Pangloss but you get my drift),and his idealism fades when he sees how venal and selfish his superiors are .I remember when the film came out and all the critics lauded it ,but I thought ,DDR Stasi ,not really fertile ground ,but actually it is one of the most moving films about redemption one could see(IMHO)

[@viarnay]

That movie is the power of cinema released at 100%...😊

[@danheitkamp506]

The best foreign movie I’ve ever seen. Highly recommend it.

[@mondantarigan5579]

My number one movie of this century, the plot one of the best I have ever seen

[@DuendeHr]

One of my favorite movies. I am so glad that I accidently found your channel. Subscribed! Greetings from Croatia.

[@lococholo2857]

Excellent movie and an excellent description with the analogy with Dante and the character Cato. Cheers

[@The1d10t]

I'm still wavering over whether "The Lives of Others" or "Barbara" is the superior movie. Both are films set in the former East Germany in the 1980s, both are about state repression and surveillance, and both have a taciturn, emotionally-guarded protagonist. On the whole I think I like Barbara better as I think it has more narrative and thematic depth, but re-watching it a few weeks ago I discovered a possible plot hole near the end so now I'm unsure!

[@christbianchi]

I still enjoyed Barbara better

[@polinalerman4464]

I liked Barbara more but the Lives of Others was really good too

[@timbrady6473]

Who today is utilizing Stasi methods in dealing with their political adversaries in the U.S. ? Survey says:

[@linguafranca86]

Had to watch it twice to be able to really grasp it.

[@UATU.]

Thank you for this! I saw the film a long time ago but couldn’t remember enough to locate it again. I remember it being amazing, going to grab it.

[@chadczternastek]

Glad i found this channel. Looking for some good hidden gems worth watching. Im sick of over-produced Hollywood movies. I been seeing such great movies spawning feom other countries. What was that list you mentioned at the beginning, you mentioned a few movies.. i will have to check them out. . thanks 🙏

[@LearningaboutMovies]

not sure which list I mentioned. My own? If so, on letterboxd, I suggest checking out my "top 500 movies" list and my "movies I recommend to nearly everybody list."

[@DeltaStar777]

Absolutely great movie along the TV serie Weisensee thats also fantastically well done

[@bradleypierce1561]

Absolutely loved this movie! I think, and I say this with all sincerity, that this is my favourite German language movie. And I’ve seen a lot of German movies. Es ist gut, ja!

[@michaelbdougherty]

The most moving film I’ve ever seen.

[@minderleister9255]

Yeah great movie. Name? Dienstgrad? Abteilung? Now.

[@mikeayia8819]

U did it thank u the lives of others the ending is so powerful thanks u doctor

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome.

[@AkhilArya]

Great video again. Your channel deserves many more views & subscribers ❤

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@snicky58]

What an excellent analysis.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@enidasheme9294]

Interesting analysis. I just saw the movie, and I'm so touched that I researched for movie reviews so I can process it better. Actually, I don't understand quite well hot it is possible the transformation of the agent; how a lonely man, lacking a personal life and a meaningful relationship, does not envy the writer, but sympathizes him. How a person, whose main purpose in life is his job, doesnt take it personal when the writer call stasi as total idiots (for letting Paul reach West Germany). The agent just declares "wait and see", and no expected revenge comes after...🤔😳 I would expect such a transformed character would be more suited to someone who has a family after work, than to a loner... However, so much pondering about this movie.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

It could be that loners, who can be introverted, more easily empathize with others.

[@bensieg6961]

Well, there was the revenge, he wrote the letter and almost handed it in. It was only after then hearing the torture he would go through that he decided to keep it hidden. So he did waiver, but ultimately decided he couldn’t do that to the man he admired. Also I think you’re point is interested about him being a loner. But to me I guess I saw it as him seeing in the writer a life he unconsciously yearned for himself. Something he knew in his soul felt righteous.

[@ginafromcologne9281]

I really enjoyed your video, you did a great job on a great movie. But it really is a blessing that the Stasi didn't have the internet.

[@garypotter5569]

Like Yuri Bezmenov observed, the problem of "split loyalties" is a threat to any slave state.

[@zhaofour9833]

Perfect in every aspect

[@vasilikikoumpia7589]

keep up your great work!u help me develop my taste in art

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@vivektomar7674]

Make a video on original Secret in their Eyes

[@nenad-seguljev]

great movie. btw. great focus, great light, but noise can be better

[@knightridernz72]

Yeah this is a great film. Great writing and casting.

[@HereWeGoAgainses]

Another great surveillance movie is "Lust, Caution".

[@ericericson3535]

It won the Academy Award for best Foreign Film.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you

[@simonsays2774]

"You don't need him...No, I don't need him, I don't need this whole system. And you? Then you don't need it either? Or not at all? But you get into bed with them too, don't you? Why do you do it? Because they can destroy you just as much, despite your talent, which you don't even doubt. Because they decide who gets to play, who gets to act and who gets to direct."

[@patytoral6474]

Where i can get the film?

[@vashamuhlisaergasheva2977]

I think it is not a good idea to refer to Wikipediaaaaaa. The great video 🤝🏼

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I use it to show what the mainstream believes and thinks, not necessarily as a voice of authority

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Yuri Bezmenov warned you 40 years ago, see his lectures, top down subversion

[@phillipsmiley5930]

See Barbara 2012

[@cebruthius]

You say bureaucracy but I think you mean totalitarianism?

[@samovrednocitanja185]

Probably the first episode I disagree with.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@micro_my_blood]

You forgot to say, why?

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

Without reasons, your disagreement isn’t worth much

[@SequentialGeek]

@@EmperorsNewWardrobe looks lame of this channel to reply to the comment as "thank you" -wtf? Hey, the goal of youtube is not for people to interact, the channel was just thanking for the comment to help their own channel stats. KZbin is getting wak. There is no incentive to interact, youtube is for shills and monetization.

[@gregmcclelland3488]

This is a great movie and a lesson in why you should NEVER vote democrat!

[@milanmisic9594]

Brat moj, imaš pljugu možda?! @tebraloco