Movie info
| Languages: | English |
| Filming dates: | 12 October 1997 - 19 December 1997 |
| Budget: | USD 15,000,000 |
| Gross: |
USA - 4,956,401 USD (31 October 1999) |
| Plot: | During World War II in Nazi occupied Poland, poor Jewish café owner Jakob ('Robin Williams' (qv)) accidentally overhears a forbidden radio news bulletin signaling Soviet military successes against German forces. To fight the incredible depression and suicide throughout the ghetto, Jakob tells fictitious news bulletins about Allied advances against the Nazis. These lies keep hope and humor alive among the ghetto inhabitants. The Germans learn of the mythical radio, however, and begin a search for the resistance hero who dares operate it. |
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Original Soundtracks
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"Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)" Written by Lew Brown , Wladimir A. Timm (as Wladimir Timm), Jaromir Vejvoda & Vasek Zeman Performed by The Andrews Sisters Courtesy of MCA Records By Arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets "Rakoczy March" Written by Hector Berlioz Performed by Cleveland Pops Orchestra Conducted by Louis Lane Courtesy of Sony Classical By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing "Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)" Written by Lew Brown , Wladimir A. Timm (as Wladimir Timm), Jaromir Vejvoda & Vasek Zeman Performed by Will Glahé (as Will Glahe) Courtesy of MCA Records By Arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets "Gestillte Sehnsucht, Op. 91, NR 1" Written by Johannes Brahms Performed by Marjana Lipovsek Courtesy of Sony Classical By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing |
Goofs
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Fact errors: The German officer referred to as "Herr General" wears the insignia of an SS-Colonel. Revealing mistakes: When Jakob is chasing after the newspaper, a wire pulling the newspaper is briefly visible. GEOG: At the beginning of the film, when Jakob starts chasing the paper, it is clearly light outside, even though it is 7:30 pm in the winter in Poland. Then, 25 minutes later, when Jakob told to go to the police building, it is quite dark. In the winter, the sun would have completely set hours before. DATE: One of the supposed SS guards is wearing a field cap with the black-red-gold insignia of the modern German military, the Bundeswehr. |
Quotes
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[first lines] Jakob Heym: Hitler goes to a fortune-teller and asks, "When will I die?" And the fortune-teller replies, "On a Jewish holiday." Hitler then asks, "How do you know that?" And she replies, "Any day you die will be a Jewish holiday." Lina Kronstein: What happened to your wife? Jakob Heym: They *shot* her. Under a tree. I don't know what kind of tree it was. I didn't bother to ask. Jakob Heym: Oh, God of the Jews! Why didn't you make your people a race of mice? Jakob Heym: I don't want to see you playing with that cat. I certainly don't want to see you catch it and eat it. Any cat that lets itself get caught is sick. Jakob Heym: I'll burn that bridge when I get to it. Jakob Heym: Here's a book about Africa. You read this, you'll forget you're hungry. Jakob Heym: A barber with a dull razor is like a blind moyl. Mischa: If you had one and didn't want anyone to know... ...the best way would be to say you had one... ...because no one owning a radio would be stupid enough to admit it. They'd leave you alone, which means.... What does it mean, Jakob? Jakob Heym: I don't know. Mischa: It means you've got a radio. Jakob Heym: I don't have a radio. Mischa: I understand. Frankfurter: Until the last line has been spoken, the curtain cannot come down. Kowalsky: If you hang yourself, I'll kill you. Jakob Heym: Stop torturing me. The Germans are already doing a fine job. Jakob Heym: Hunger for hope may be worse than hunger for food. Jakob Heym: Technically, they're retreating. But strategically, they're advancing. Mischa: Think about the resistance that'll be organized because of this radio. Rosa: Maybe I should have put up a little more resistance. Then you'd pay more attention to me. Jakob Heym: My name is Jakob Heym. Miss Esther: The Jakob Heym? I imagined you much taller. Jakob Heym: So did I. Lina Kronstein: Jakob, there are thieves in your apartment. Jakob Heym: My apartment? What's to steal? Lina Kronstein: Tonight is Shabbat. Jakob Heym: Great. We'll fast like every other night. Jakob Heym: I believe we are the chosen people... but I wish the Almighty had chosen somebody else. Mischa: You're hiding someone? Jakob Heym: Yes. Why couldn't you think this quick in the ring? Lina Kronstein: Does that mean it's nearly over? Jakob Heym: [imitating Winston Churchill on the *radio*.] That's a very good question. Lina Kronstein: He heard me! Jakob Heym: [imitating the BBC radio announcer.] We remind listeners not to ask questions... as that interferes with reception. And please don't look at the radio! Avron: Jakob Heym may not be the Messiah, but he could be a prophet. Herschel: Prophets speak in the name of God. All the pancake vendor has got is a radio! Avron: He's saying the same thing Isaiah said, people of Israel, I will lead you out of bondage. Frankfurter: [wryly] Out of bondage. If this is what we get from Isaiah, I can't wait to find out the results from the pancake vendor. Mischa: So, now that you've shared a toilet seat with the master race, maybe you'll be good enough to tell us the news... [last lines] Jakob Heym: But maybe it wasn't like that at all. Because you know, as Frankfurter says, "until the last line has been spoken, the curtain cannot come down". Rosa: Mischa! Jakob Heym: About 50 kilometers out of town, the train was stopped by Russian troops, who had just taken Bizonika, and Pratt... [national anthem proudly playing] |
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