Jacob the Liar

A Jewish ghetto in the east of Europe, 1944. By coincidence, Jakob Heym eavesdrops on a German radio broadcast announcing the Soviet Army is making slow by steady progress towards central Europe. In order to keep his companion in misfortune, Mischa, from risking his life for a few potatoes, he tells him what he heard and announces that he is in possession of a radio - in the ghetto a crime punishable by death. It doesn't take long for word of Jakob's secret to spread - suddenly, there is new hope and something to live for - and so Jakob finds himself in the uncomforting position of having to come up with more and more stories.

Release Date

Dec 22, 1974

Runtime

1h 40m

Director

Frank Beyer

Original Title

Jakob der Lügner

Country

Czechoslovakia, East Germany

Company

DEFA-Studio für Spielfilme, Künstlerische Arbeitsgruppe "Johannisthal", Filmové studio Barrandov