Our take
While imprisoned in a labor camp on account of ethnicity, a group of Jewish inmates were transferred to become The Counterfeiters. This historical drama was inspired by the memoir of a real life forging operation, so the unique perspective is already intriguing. However, rather than just rehashing the story, writer-director Stefan Ruzowitzky focuses on the inherent prisoner’s dilemma at the heart of the incident. Torn between survival at all costs and sabotaging their own jailers at the risk of their lives, the film leaves neither path unscathed, playing both avenues out through its ensemble. While it does take a while to get there, The Counterfeiters unfolds into a challenging journey for its anti-hero protagonist.
What it won
Oscars
1 win
Nat. Board of Review
1 win
The story
The story of Jewish counterfeiter Salomon Sorowitsch, who was coerced into assisting the Nazi operation of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp during World War II.
Elsewhere
"Grease has got it, from the outstanding animated titles of John Wilson all the way through the rousing finale as John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John ride off into teenage happiness."
— Variety Staff
The story of Jewish counterfeiter Salomon Sorowitsch, who was coerced into assisting the Nazi operation of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp during World War II.
The details
Streaming arrival
Who picked it
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
