The Counterfeiters

Description

Film based on the true story of the largest counterfeiting operation in history, set up by the Nazis in 1936. Salomon ‘Sally’ Sorowitsch (Karl Markovics) is a womaniser who likes to drink and gamble. He also happens to be the best counterfeiter in Berlin. Suddenly, his luck runs out when he’s arrested by Superintendent Friedrich Herzog (Devid Striesow). Immediately thrown into the Mauthausen concentration camp, Salomon’s exceptional skills are soon noted and he is transferred to the upgraded camp of Sachsenhausen where Herzog, on a secret mission, awaits his arrival. Hand-picked for his unique talent, Salomon and a group of professionals are forced to produce fake foreign currency under the programme, Operation Berhard. The group of forgers, which also includes detainee Adolf Burger (August Diehl), is given luxury barracks for its assistance. However, Adolf refuses to use his skills to help the Nazis and wants to do something that will scupper their secret operation. Faced with a moral dilemma, Salomon must decide whether his actions, which could prolong the war and risk the lives of fellow prisoners, are ultimately the right ones.