Movie · Drama

In Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II, poor Jewish cafe owner Jakob Heym (Oscar®-winner Robin Williams Best Supporting Actor, 1997, Good Will Hunting) accidentally overhears a forbidden radio news bulletin signaling Soviet military success against German forces. To combat the overwhelming depression and suicide that pervades the ghetto, Jakob invents fictitious news bulletins about Allied advances against the Nazis. These lies keep hope and humor alive among the ghetto inhabitants, spirits are lifted, hearts are refreshed, and optimism is reborn. The Germans learn of the mythical radio and begin a search for the resistance hero who dares operate it.

1999 · 1h 54m
Director Peter Kassovitz

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Jakob the Liar

Drama

In Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II, poor Jewish cafe owner Jakob Heym (Oscar®-winner Robin Williams Best Supporting Actor, 1997, Good Will Hunting) accidentally overhears a forbidden radio news bulletin signaling Soviet military success against German forces. To combat the overwhelming depression and suicide that pervades the ghetto, Jakob invents fictitious news bulletins about Allied advances against the Nazis. These lies keep hope and humor alive among the ghetto inhabitants, spirits are lifted, hearts are refreshed, and optimism is reborn. The Germans learn of the mythical radio and begin a search for the resistance hero who dares operate it.

COMMON SENSE

Watered-down Holocaust tale may stir kids' interest.

TOMATOMETER
Average 5.2
Reviews 71
Fresh 22
Rotten 49

Information

Studio
Lina Productions, Inc.; Stateside Productions, Inc.
Released
1999
Run Time
1 hr 54 min
Rated
PG-13 for violence and disturbing images.
Regions of Origin
United States, France, Hungary, Poland
© 1999 Global Entertainment Productions GmbH & Co. Film KG and SPE German Finance Co. Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Languages

Original Audio
English
Audio

English (United States) (⁨Dolby 5.1⁩, AAC)

Subtitles

English (CC)

Accessibility

Closed captions (CC) refer to subtitles in the available language with the addition of relevant non-dialogue information.