This is quite a tense and gripping, as well as fairly claustrophobic, film. I felt sorry for the parents, trying to do the best for their kids and I could feel their frustrations too. Its pretty thought provoking - I can only imagine how it felt to live in what was then eastern Germany, if you didn't share the political views of the majority etc. The cast do a good job and the background music is just about right - not too 'in your face' or overly artificial seeming. I thought the plot pace was quite good and it certainly kept me watching throughout. I would recommend this film, yes.

Better than "passed the time" and barely recommendable, was entertained and interested, but not sure if I'd put this on my watch again soon list

If you want to learn more about what happens in Germany through the cold war, I think this movie is must see and also I believe that all the crew behind and in front the camara creates a very good film and adapt a very stressful storie.

Loved it. Likeable relatable characters risking their lives. Great Tension. You never know who can be trusted.

This is a tight, well-paced film that does a surprisingly good job of building and maintaining dramatic tension despite the fact that the ending is known. The characters are sympathetic and believable. I was left wanting to know more about them as fully rounded individuals, but given that this is an escape film and the main characters are intensely mission focused and under severe time pressure, I agree with the filmmakers choice to only hint about the rest of their lives. The most problematic character is the Stasi pursuer, a highly efficient investigator who seems to be fully aware that he is serving an evil regime; his motivations could have been better developed. American audiences should discover this film.

There's probably a lot of artistic licensing but it's still a gripping plot and well portrayed.

Good tense thriller. Despite some contrived plotting, its a great story which captures the paranoia in the GDR and the bravery and desperation of those who tried to escape. A good reminder to those with a short memory, of how fortunate we were to live in the west at that time.

Very exciting movie, brings you back behind the iron curtain, quite realistic

Oddly, this film didn't seem that much different than the Disney movie made in the Eighties based on the same event only this one is in German and a little bit more serious.

A real nail biter, you don't fall asleep watching this movie. I am sure some drama was added, but for the most part that is how the Stasi operated to keep East Germany's people from escaping to the west. Also, I remember the story in the news back in 1979.

I think this movie was handled perfecty considering the subject matter and I was happy that it didn't have the Hollywood treatment. Great attention to detail of the era. It was tense, and held our attention to the end. Recommended.

Although it is imperfect, it is taut and exciting. One of the best German movies in the past few years.

Interesting to see audiences (ok five people) like this more than the critics. I am with the critics on this one. The great strength of the movie is the vivid portrayal of the oppressive nature of the police state which was the GDR. The weakness is the use of melodrama to ratchet up tension and to my mind, an obtrusive sound track. But enjoyable enough.

Not to be confused with the Chinese fable of the same name, this fact-based German political thriller presents a gripping saga of two families and their perilous scheme to escape East Germany in 1979 by floating over the border in a home-built hot air balloon. The film effectively captures the pervasive sense of paranoia and fright that everyday citizens felt under the scrutiny of the Stasi, the socialist nation's notorious secret police, just in going about their regular routines, let alone in attempting such a daring feat at this. While the picture occasionally overdoes it in its efforts to create dramatic tension, it nevertheless conveys an otherwise-authentic feel of what it was like to live under such stressful conditions -- and the desperation to escape it and find a life of freedom. Well worth the time.