The Counterfeiters
Starring Karl Markovics, August Diehl, and David Streisow
Directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky
Rated R for some strong violence, brief sexuality/nudity, and language
Appropriate for ages 17+
In German with English Subtitles
Available August 5th, 2008 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc
Winner of the 2007 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, The Counterfeiters tells the true story of Salomon Sorowitsch (Markovics), a Jewish counterfeiter from Berlin sent to a concentration camp during World War 2. Instead of being put into the main camp, though, the Nazis send him to a special area where he will lead a group of Jewish bankers and currency experts to develop a counterfeit British Pound and U.S. Dollar in the hopes flooding the market and destroying the Allied powers economically. Here, Sorowitsch and his men must walk the thin line between giving the Nazis what they want, so they are not killed, and stalling them long enough to outlast the war. The Counterfeiters is not the least bit a depressing film, but rather a thrilling tale of the struggle to survive and subvert. The acting is top notch and the story-telling keeps you on your toes throughout. The DVD and Blu-ray are loaded with special features and a very interesting commentary from director Stefan Ruzowitzky.