"The Counterfeiters" is the true story of the largest counterfeiting operation in history, set up by the Nazis in 1936.
"The Counterfeiters" opens with an exciting shot of a misty sky bleeding into the sea which washes the beach in Monte Carlo. Then it jovially (almost like a Benny Hill sketch) introduces you to the reticent Solly Solowitsch, who has a lot of money. It is clearly after World War II, and a young woman discovers a number tattooed on the inside of his arm. Then the film flashes back to a dingy brown Berlin, 1936, reminiscent of Fassbinder"s "Berlin Alexanderplatz". Solly cuts a fine figure in the local criminal underworld where he is the best counterfeiter in the World. Then, in bed with another beautiful young woman, Solly is arrested by Nazi police officer Herzog. From here on in the film takes place in the concentration camps, drained of colour as of life, as Solly"s particular skills are put to good use by Herzog, for the good of his cause. All the while Solly just wants to survive. There are a few remarkable things about this film. It is based on a true story, and a true character, both of which lend the film a, not sentimental or stuffy, historicity. It is filmed very evocatively, catching, for instance, the moral and emotional ambiguities of taking a shower as a member of a work commando in a concentration camp better than any fictional work of film I have seen before. It also works as a thriller, has fine human characters, moments of social commentary and a driven narrative. "The Counterfeiters" combines "serious" and "fun" perfectly, it is easy to watch (except when it shouldn't be) and rewarding. Which means there is little reason not to watch it.
We will publish your review of The Counterfeiters [2007] on DVD within a few days as long as it meets our guidelines.
None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.
Film based on the true story of the largest counterfeiting operation in history, set up by the Nazis in 1936. Salomon 'Sally' Sorowitsch (Karl Markovics) is a womaniser who likes to drink and gamble. He also happens to be the best counterfeiter in Berlin. Suddenly, his luck runs out when he's arrested by Superintendent Friedrich Herzog (Devid Striesow). Immediately thrown into the Mauthausen concentration camp, Salomon's exceptional skills are soon noted and he is transferred to the upgraded camp of Sachsenhausen where Herzog, on a secret mission, awaits his arrival. Hand-picked for his unique talent, Salomon and a group of professionals are forced to produce fake foreign currency under the programme, Operation Berhard. The group of forgers, which also includes detainee Adolf Burger (August Diehl), is given luxury barracks for its assistance. However, Adolf refuses to use his skills to help the Nazis and wants to do something that will scupper their secret operation. Faced with a moral dilemma, Salomon must decide whether his actions, which could prolong the war and risk the lives of fellow prisoners, are ultimately the right ones.
Set in a Nazi concentration camp, this drama centres on history's biggest counterfeit operation. In THE COUNTERFEITERS, prisoners must choose between aiding the Third Reich in their money-making scheme and their own well-being.
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy
