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
Excellent Entertainment
If you are interested in the holocaust, and want to be entertained at the same time, Jakob the Liar is your film. This is not intended to be an historical film. And, to be sure, it isn't.
Just speaking for myself, I wish everyone would educate themselves about this horrible episode in human history. If you have a friend who refuses to watch honest historical films, turn them on to Jakob the Liar. It IS Robin Williams, after all. For sure, this film will encourage them to learn more about the holocaust. Its very entertaining and does give some superficial insight into what the atrocity was all about.
Robin Williams did his best. He did a fine job in this film, and deserves even more credit just for making the attempt. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it an 8.
Just speaking for myself, I wish everyone would educate themselves about this horrible episode in human history. If you have a friend who refuses to watch honest historical films, turn them on to Jakob the Liar. It IS Robin Williams, after all. For sure, this film will encourage them to learn more about the holocaust. Its very entertaining and does give some superficial insight into what the atrocity was all about.
Robin Williams did his best. He did a fine job in this film, and deserves even more credit just for making the attempt. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it an 8.
helpful•336
- SampsonBlack
- Oct 27, 2004
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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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