Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		5.0

The Lives of Others Blu-ray Movie Review

An important, well-made, historically-grounded film is a must-own Blu-ray.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 13, 2008

To know everything.

Two of my upper level history courses in college dealt with the histories of modern Russia and modern Germany. I had the same professor for both classes, and for each class he assigned us two movies to watch with seven page movie reviews for each one due at some point during the semester. The films chosen were Judgement at Nuremberg, Reds, Goodbye, Lenin! (an absolutely brilliant film), and The Tin Drum. I haven't spoken with the professor recently, but I really hope he's incorporated The Lives of Others into his rotation for the Germany class, because it is one of, if not the definitive cold war-era pictures. Filmed in Germany and in that country's native tongue, the movie is a frightening example of what life under Communism entails, and from what other country's perspective could such a film hope to peer into the heart of Communism than that which was the center of the struggle for power between East and West for nearly half a century?

Big brother is listening.

The Lives of Others takes a no-nonsense approach to its material, and the end result is an absolutely horrific look at the dangers of government intrusion into the lives of its citizens that is also one of the best films yet of the decade and one of the most important, ever. In a pre-Internet world where information wasn't made freely and readily available, those who disagreed with the policies of the Communist regime in Eastern Germany and elsewhere were marked for surveillance and had anything and everything used against them. Early in the film, Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe, Amen.) is seen interrogating a political prisoner, intercut with a lecture he is giving to new recruits into the Communist-sponsored spy ring, approaching both with a stoic, heartless demeanor that makes for an interesting study in juxtaposition as the film moves along to its conclusion as Wiesler spies on a playwright with suspicious ties and sympathies towards the West named Dreyman (Sebastian Koch, Amen.). More frightening than any slasher horror film, The Lives of Others marks one of the best, unnerving, most effective, and real-feeling films I've seen yet.

There is no denying that Germany was arguably the most critical nation in the world in the 20th century. Her actions played a role in almost every major political, economic, and militaristic action of the century, a nation at the heart of two World Wars and afterwards the pawn between two superpowers vying for supremacy of the globe. Almost overnight in 1961 the Berlin wall was erected, a structure wholly symbolic of the divide in the world at the time, a symbol that stood until 1989 when the Soviet Union finally cried uncle and gave way to Western political and economic thought, and handed the reigns of world dominance and lone superpower status to the United States. As such, it comes as no surprise that Germany as a nation has seen her fair share of brilliant films that capture the spirit, horror, and unforetold events that shaped her from the end of World War II until the fall of the wall. From World War II films like Stalingrad and Downfall to films with a more contemporary setting such as Goodbye, Lenin! and The Lives of Others, German filmmakers are not afraid to examine their nation's troubled past in excruciating and sometimes unspeakable detail, showcasing both her lowest moments and greatest triumphs.

The Lives of Others Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Sony has certainly done right by this important film, giving it a masterful transfer on Blu-ray. Framed at 2.35:1, this 1080p high definition image is almost flawless, and is, in my opinion, the de facto reference disc for the drama genre. Grain is present throughout, a fine layer that adds a pleasing film-like look to the movie. The print is in mostly good condition, though some spots and imperfections appear on rare occasions. There is not an abundance of color in the film, the brightest shades often seen in the make-up worn by Christa-Maria. Colors are generally drab and lifeless, shades of gray the primaries seen throughout, and other colors representing the more drab and uninteresting to be found on the color palette, a reflection of the dreary, unsavory and frightening proceedings seen throughout the film. Flesh tones look just fine, sometimes lit a bit harshly. Much of the movie, though crisp and defined, can look a bit soft in some places, but I'm convinced that that is more of a result from the director setting the tone of the film more than anything else. Black levels are good, but appear with a field of grain in accompaniment, and are perhaps a bit brighter than we expect to see in the best transfers. Given the stylized look of the film in places, this transfer is an excellent one, befitting of both the subject matter of the movie and of the Blu-ray format.

The Lives of Others Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Though short on action and robust use of loud, aggressive sound, the PCM 5.1 uncompressed track that accompanies The Lives of Others on Blu-ray nevertheless is marvelous. Not an overly active track, this one sounds natural, a track that replicates life, not some over-abundance of unrealistic action. That type of mix is good in its own right, but here, the track is somewhat reserved. It's very front-heavy and dialogue-centered, and dialogue reproduction (in the original German language) is exquisite and makes for a fantastic listen. Several scenes offer moments of pleasant and realistic ambience, such as that taking place during a funeral in chapter 8. Definitely understated but realistic in presentation, we hear a nice breeze and blowing leaves placed in the rear channels; the effect seems to position us in the chilled, dreary setting. The movie's fine, dramatic score is reproduced very well on this disc. Listen in around the 1:20:40 mark for a wonderful directional effect that utilizes the rear channels and a nice thud from the subwoofer. There is not an abundance of surround activity, but most of the movie doesn't call for it. When it comes into play, the effects are seamless. Like the video quality, this is an excellent mix that proves to be a captivating listen and definitely aids in the overall feel and tone of the film.

The Lives of Others Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Sony presents The Lives of Others on Blu-ray with a fine array of supplemental features. Although not large in quantity, these features more than make up for that via their impressive quality, proving to be nearly as good as the movie itself. Beginning the proceedings is a feature-length commentary track with the film's writer and director, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. His track is simply fantastic, a captivating, thorough, and frank discussion about the film, and this is one of those tracks that is so good that it's like listening to your favorite college professor lecture on a fascinating, important subject. There is nary a moment of dead air, and von Donnersmarck handles himself remarkably, coming across as a sincere, intelligent, and captivating individual. After listening to him speak, I'm not surprised at all that a man of his intelligence was behind what is one of the most brilliant and important films I have ever seen. Next is a video interview with von Donnersmarck (480p, 30:00) that proves just as fascinating as the commentary track. Both are well worth a listen for fans of the film, historians, or anyone wanting to enjoy an intelligent and respected man discuss film and world history. The Making of 'The Lives of Others' (480p, 19:28) is presented in German with English subtitles, and provides solid background on the production of the film, getting the script just right, and the history that inspired the film, all from the viewpoint of both the cast and the crew. Finally, a series of seven deleted scenes (480p, 8:58) with optional director commentary and 1080p trailers for Perfect Stranger, Premonition, Reign Over Me, and Black Book round out the supplemental materials.

The Lives of Others Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Like Saving Private Ryan, I believe that The Lives of Others is a must-see film for age-appropriate audiences to show how the world once was and could have become if not for the heroism of men and women much like the brave souls depicted in each of these pictures. Both movies offer shocking, unrelenting, and horrifying imagery, and both, in my opinion, serve as teaching tools for anyone wanting to know why the world we live in today is as it is. Both also serve as lessons to teach us what we don't want to fall back into, a world where there is no privacy, freedom, or individuality, and the cost of confronting such ways of life head-on. Providing first-class technical specs as well as a fine supplemental set, I believe this film to be both a must-see and a must-own on Blu-ray. The Lives Of Others receives my highest recommendation.