Synopsis:

Based on a true story, The Tunnel tells the story of a group of East Berliners escaping to the West and the team of heroes that help them do so. Harry Melchior was a champion East German swimmer at odds with the system under which he has already been imprisoned. On his own escape, he is determined the arrange the escape to the West of his sister and her family. The idea of the tunnel is born, but the project does not run smoothly. The participants struggle not only with the massive logistics of their task, but betrayal from friends in the East. And always the East German police are close to discovering the plot.

The Freak's Rating: A : What is it about that tagline, "based on a true story" that gets me every time?  It is truly amazing how much those simple five words can jack up my interest in a film.  Recent history is always the most fascinating to me and though I was barely a teenager when the Berlin wall came down, stories based on it fascinate me.  The Tunnel tells the story of heroism that is on a level far beyond that which you and I will likely encounter.  Following the team of East German defectors from the plan conception to the final punch through the ground, The Tunnel is one of the best foreign films you're likely to find on your video store shelves and one that has sadly been lost in the shuffle of big budget mediocrity.

One must wonder what the Academy was thinking not even having this one break into the top 5 to be nominated as best foreign language film.  The acting in this film is superb by everyone involved.  Watching a foreign film always gives me admiration for the craft.  America truly throws up anyone as an actor or actress (I'm looking at you Lindsay Lohan, Cameron Diaz and countless others).  These actors are finely tuned and play their roles perfectly.  Cinematography is beautiful and perfectly throws you back in time.

If not for a few minor holes in the script such as an incredibly obvious post atop a building that every soldier should be able to see but never does, this is an A+ film.  It is well worth checking out.  My friend Caahlen (see review below) recommended this and though it is nearly a full three hours, it was well worth every second.  Do yourselves a favor and check out some real acting for a change by renting this foreign gem.

Brian's Rating: A : I agree with the reviews so far.  This is a good movie.  Throughout much of the movie, my chest was clenched in anticipation of what would happen.  Scott mentions liking things based on a true story such as this.  It is very loosely based on a true story, and much latitude was given for dramatizing it.  That being said, I do not mind.  I'm looking for entertainment, not historical accuracy.  Although in history, there was not an narrow escape as mentioned, it made for a nail-biting movie, and was well worth it.

I also agree with Scott on a couple minor plot holes in the script.  Another example is the fact that the Stasi would actually stop and heed the sign in the tunnel that said "Entering the French Sector", when they were immediately behind the escaping citizens.

I had the privilege to visit the Checkpoint Charlie museum in Berlin when I visited in 1998.  It is located on the actual Checkpoint Charlie site, and is an awe inspiring museum filled with displays and all sorts of information from all the escape attempts, successful, or not.  It is amazing to me the ingenuity that people had in order to escape from the communist regime.  This movie bears that out.

Caahlen's Rating: A+ : Coming from one of the very few people you know whom knows and loves movies as much as you do...I beg you to watch The Tunnel. I was absolutely STUNNED by how good it was. It was so good, I can write no review in this comment box to do it justice. You know me well and if you trust me at all, I IMPLORE you to push it high into your netflix queue. I am very anxious to hear your thoughts on it. Please let me know what you think about this riveting, emotional, PERFECT true story about an escape from East Berlin in the 1960's. The movie is in German and is subtitled. As a purist, I know that won't bother you at all.

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