During World War II, an ordinary inhabitant of a ghetto fakes news about Allied offensives to inspire hope for other victims of the Nazi regime.During World War II, an ordinary inhabitant of a ghetto fakes news about Allied offensives to inspire hope for other victims of the Nazi regime.During World War II, an ordinary inhabitant of a ghetto fakes news about Allied offensives to inspire hope for other victims of the Nazi regime.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 3 nominations
Éva Igó
- Lina's Mother
- (as Eva Igo)
István Bálint
- Lina's Father
- (as Istvan Balint)
János Gosztonyi
- Samuel
- (as Janos Gosztonyi)
Ádám Rajhona
- The Whistler
- (as Adam Rajhona)
Péter Rudolf
- Roman
- (as Peter Rudolf)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough thematically the film is very similar in tone and subject with Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful (1997), it actually started production well before the release of the Italian film.
- GoofsThe movie is set in Poland (hence the Polish-languaged signs on buildings, eg Jakob's café), but 'Mischa' is a Russian name (a diminutive form of 'Mikhail'/'Mikal' ('Michael').
- Quotes
[first lines]
Jakob Heym: Hitler goes to a fortune-teller and asks, "When will I die?" And the fortune-teller replies, "On a Jewish holiday." Hitler then asks, "How do you know that?" And she replies, "Any day you die will be a Jewish holiday."
- Crazy creditsSpecial thanks to the city and peoples of Piotrków, Poland, the city and peoples of Lódz, Poland and the city and peoples of Budapest, Hungary.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: American Beauty/Blue Streak/For Love of the Game (1999)
- SoundtracksBeer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)
Written by Lew Brown, Wladimir A. Timm (as Wladimir Timm), Jaromir Vejvoda & Vasek Zeman
Performed by The Andrews Sisters
Courtesy of MCA Records
By Arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets
Featured review
Another solid performance by Robin Williams!
Don't be put off by the negative comments. If you like the characters Robin Williams creates, and you like unusual dramas, you'll like Jakob the Liar. The film wanted to be Roberto Benigni and Life is Beautiful but never seemed to have the courage to go there, even with Robin Williams in the lead, until the last few scenes of the movie. However, being another Life is Beautiful is asking an awful lot. Life is Beautiful is one of the great films of all time. Having said that, Jakob the Liar is fiendishly good, creatively done, and Robin Williams does a fine job, even when Hannah Taylor-Gordon, who plays Lina, wasn't stealing every scene she was in. So, settle down and give this little movie a try. If nothing else, it's another solid performance by Robin Williams.
helpful•193
- yossarian100
- Mar 2, 2004
- How long is Jakob the Liar?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $45,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,956,401
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,056,647
- Sep 26, 1999
- Gross worldwide
- $4,956,401
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