Jakob, der Lügner

Apr 17 1975 N/A 1h 40m
Comedy, Crime, Drama

A Jewish ghetto in the east of Europe, 1944. By coincidence, Jakob Heym eavesdrops on a German radio broadcast announcing the Soviet Army is making slow by steady progress towards central Europe. In order to keep his companion in misfortune, Mischa, from risking his life for a few potatoes, he tells him what he heard and announces that he is in possession of a radio - in the ghetto a crime punishable by death. It doesn't take long for word of Jakob's secret to spread - suddenly, there is new hope and something to live for - and so Jakob finds himself in the uncomforting position of having to come up with more and more stories.

Plot

A Jewish ghetto in central Europe, 1944. By coincidence, Jakob Heym eavesdrops on a German radio broadcast announcing the Soviet Army is making slow by steady progress towards central Europe. In order to keep his companion in misfortune, Mischa, from risking his life for a few potatoes, he tells him what he heard and announces that he is in possession of a radio - in the ghetto a crime punishable by death. It doesn't take long for word of Jakob's secret to spread - suddenly, there is new hope and something to live for - and so Jakob finds himself in the uncomforting position of having to come up with more and more stories.

Written by

Jurek Becker, Frank Beyer

Directed by

Frank Beyer

Cast

Vlastimil Brodský, Erwin Geschonneck, Henry Hübchen

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

East Germany, Czechoslovakia

Production Companies

Filmové studio Barrandov, Gruppe "Johannisthal", DEFA

Languages

Deutsch

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 2 wins & 2 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
1,511
Average Rating
7.1 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA