Fälscher, Die (The Counterfeiters)

Tonight we see is called Fälscher, Die or The Counterfeiters, a German film. It's a true story based on a book by Adolf Burger, who is one of the members of the counterfeiting team and is featured in the film.
Salomon is a master criminal, a counterfeiter, and a Jew, living the life of Riley in 1930's Berlin, until he finally gets busted by the German police. He is imprisoned and sent to the Mauthausen concentration camp. Having been to Mauthausen, I can vouch that the film was actually filmed there. The place is exactly how I remember it. He manages to secure a few privileges for himself by showing off his skills as an artist. When he is transferred to Sachsenhausen, (also been there, sorry to name drop) he is reunited with the detective who arrested him, who is now in the SS. He is put to work supervising a team of artists, forgers and printers, who have been assembled to produce counterfeit pounds and dollars to undermine the enemy's economies. If they fail, they will almost certainly be put to death but if they succeed the result could well be the same, as once the currencies have been reproduced, they will be surplus to requirements.



Only one man, Berger, seems to see the wider picture. He struggles with his conscience, concerned that while they are keeping themselves alive they are condemning others to death as they aid the German war effort.



The entire film was gripping from the start. It cleverly portrays concentration camp life without resorting to the usual horrific scenes, which have been done so many times before. Instead, it is all shown from the angle of the privileged lifestyle enjoyed by the counterfeiters. Excellent camera-work, excellent acting. Totally engaging. Thoroughly recommend it.