This is a sensational political drama set in East Germany through the time the wall comes down. An absolute phenomena!
Gerd Wiesler has spent his life working for the East Germany Government with an unquestioning service record. He is a Stasi officer and teachers interrogation at the University and has a talent for breaking suspects. He is an intelligent man and knows what the State does to its enemies and believes in socialism. Anton Grubitz is a friend who is keen for promotion at any cost.
They both attend a play by the talented high profiled playwriter Georg Dreyman. Anton becomes suspicious of Dreyman's motives and try feelings towards the State and sets up surveillance of his apartment by Wiesler. Sitting in a dark room, listening into Dreyman's world, Wiesler becomes drawn into focusing on the writer and his actress girlfriend Christa-Maria Sieland. He ends up covering for Dreyman and saving him from prison with severe consequences for himself.

Thanks for reminding me of a film I really liked - it was top of the 'Time Out' critics choice list for a while. The only thing I didn't really believe was the listener's easy transition from being complicit with the nasty regime to sympathy with the people he was listening to. My companion said it was because of his realisation that his superiors were corrupt, but it was still quite a change for someone who'd spent his life getting people into trouble for their beliefs. I liked all the theatrical background scenes and the typewriter under the floorboards.The appearance of apartment and the bringing together of like-minded intellectuals to talk was well done, too. I like all that committed-to-a-cause stuff.

Sheila

Hi Sheila, Great insight. Wiesler must have known about the corruption - he was a very intelligent man. He truly believed they were doing the right thing in surveillance - there is corruption in human nature so he seemed to accept this. I thought he viewed Dreyman as some sort of National treasure that needed protecting – he seemed overwhelmed at the performance of Dreyman’s play, when Grubitz called him over and about Dreyman’s views and passions in general when he was listening. I loved the tension that built up around the typewriter too. Charlev

Oh, right. I'd forgotten about that part. I must say he had a very soulful look about him. Good casting.

Sheila