The Counterfeiters

An actual Nazi plot revolving around using skilled Jewish concentration camp prisoners to produce reams of counterfeit British pounds and American dollars is the basis for Stefan Ruzowitzky's cunningly manipulative drama, which won this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Film. Karl Markovics stars as Salomon Sorowitsch, a master forger arrested by a police inspector named Herzog (Devid Striesow) and later transferred to a camp where the erstwhile cop is now presiding over a privileged cadre of inmates assigned to design and print fake currency that will undermine the Allies' economies while funding the German war effort. Self-serving, pragmatic survivor that he is (as well as a man proud of his own abilities), Karl becomes a willing participant in the scheme, in contrast to the approach of another prisoner, a socialist ideologue who uses sabotage to hinder it. Over time, Karl's attitude begins to change, and he ultimately plays an instrumental role in foiling the project—taking the film into less morally ambiguous (and frankly less dramatically interesting) territory during its second half. But the excellent performances by Markovics and Striesow, coupled with a gritty style, enhance this potent story that puts a new and intriguing spin on Holocaust dramas. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Stefan Ruzowitzky, interviews with Ruzowitzky, writer and real-life counterfeiter Adolf Burger, and star Karl Markovics (38 min.), an “Adolf Burger's Historical Artifacts” featurette (19 min.), a 13-minute Q&A segment featuring Ruzowitzky, a 10-minute “making-of” featurette, four minutes of deleted scenes, and trailers. The Blu-ray version will feature BD Live interactive features for download. Bottom line: a fine extras package for this Oscar-winning film.] (F. Swietek)