The Last Execution (2021)

Based on the true story of the secret death penalty in East Germany

The Last Execution (2021) poster

The ambitious scientist Franz Walter doesn't hesitate when he is promised a professorship at the university. He immediately accepts, pledges absolute loyalty to the system and agrees to work for the GDR's foreign intelligence service until he can take up his new position. Together with his colleague Dirk, he is sent on foreign assignments to West Germany. Franz soon has to use blackmail to get innocent people to talk. But his superiors go even further: GDR refugees and their relatives are targeted to be psychologically destroyed, forged letters, medical diagnoses, surveillance and wiretapping are on the agenda. However, this is more than Franz can bear: he feels powerless and increasingly isolates himself. When he then decides to steal secret documents for a later defection to the West, this results in an unfortunate chain reaction leading to his arrest and ultimately to his execution...

Director: Franziska Stünkel
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 116 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Music: Karim Sebastian Elias
Cinematography: Nikolai von Graevenitz
Editing: Andrea Mertens
Production: Network Movie, C-Films Deutschland, ZDF, ARTE, Franks Filmproduktion
Country: Germany
Language: Deutsch
Original Language: de
More Films by Director: Franziska Stünkel
More Films in Genre: Drama, Thriller

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Last Execution about?
The ambitious scientist Franz Walter doesn't hesitate when he is promised a professorship at the university. He immediately accepts, pledges absolute loyalty to the system and agrees to work for the GDR's foreign intelligence service until he can take up his new position. Together with his colleague Dirk, he is sent on foreign assignments to West Germany. Franz soon has to use blackmail to get innocent people to talk. But his superiors go even further: GDR refugees and their relatives are targeted to be psychologically destroyed, forged letters, medical diagnoses, surveillance and wiretapping are on the agenda. However, this is more than Franz can bear: he feels powerless and increasingly isolates himself. When he then decides to steal secret documents for a later defection to the West, this results in an unfortunate chain reaction leading to his arrest and ultimately to his execution...
Who directed The Last Execution?
The Last Execution was directed by Franziska Stünkel.
Who stars in The Last Execution?
The Last Execution stars Lars Eidinger, Devid Striesow, Luise Heyer, Paula Kalenberg, Peter Benedict, Victoria Trauttmansdorff.
How long is The Last Execution?
The Last Execution has a runtime of 1h 56m (116 minutes).
What genre is The Last Execution?
The Last Execution is a Drama, Thriller film.
Where was The Last Execution produced?
The Last Execution was produced in Germany.