The Lives of Others

Amazon.com

Nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, this is a first-rate thriller that, like Bertolucci's The Conformist and Coppola's The Conversation, opts for character development over car chases. The place is East Berlin, the year is 1984, and it all begins with a simple surveillance assignment: Capt. Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe in a restrained, yet deeply felt performance), a Stasi officer and a specialist in this kind of thing, has been assigned to keep an eye on Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch, Black Book), a respected playwright, and his actress girlfriend, Christa-Maria Sieland (Martina Gedeck, Mostly Martha). Though Dreyman is known to associate with the occasional dissident, like blacklisted director Albert Jerska (Volkmar Kleinert), his record is spotless. Everything changes when Wiesler discovers that Minister Hempf (Thomas Thieme) has an ulterior motive in spying on this seemingly upright citizen. In other words, it's personal, and Wiesler's sympathies shift from the government to its people--or at least to this one particular person. That would be risky enough, but then Wiesler uses his privileged position to affect a change in Dreyman's life. The God-like move he makes may be minor and untraceable, but it will have major consequences for all concerned, including Wiesler himself. Writer/director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck starts with a simple premise that becomes more complicated and emotionally involving as his assured debut unfolds. Though three epilogues is, arguably, two too many, The Lives of Others is always elegant, never confusing. It's class with feeling. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Beyond The Lives of Others

Films from Germany
Other Cold War Films

More Arthouse Selections

from Sony Pictures Classics

Stills from The Lives of Others (click for larger image)

Product Description

This critically-acclaimed, Oscar®-winning film (Best Foreign Language Film, 2006) is the erotic, emotionally-charged experience Lisa Schwarzbaum (Entertainment Weekly) calls "a nail-biter of a thriller!" Before the collapse of the Berlin Wall, East Germany's population was closely monitored by the State Secret Police (Stasi). Only a few citizens above suspicion, like renowned pro-Socialist playwright Georg Dreyman, were permitted to lead private lives. But when a corrupt government official falls for Georg's stunning actress-girlfriend, Christa, an ambitious Stasi policeman is ordered to bug the writer's apartment to gain incriminating evidence against the rival. Now, what the officer discovers is about to dramatically change their lives - as well as his - in this seductive political thriller Peter Travers (Rolling Stone) proclaims is "the best kind of movie: one you can't get out of your head."

Customer Reviews:

The Lives fo Others.......2007-09-16

This movie is a must-see for anyone who is concerned about the erosion of our civil liberties today. In the final analysis it is human beings that can and must make the difference.

Interesting Outing.......2007-09-16

This movie creates a stillness, the hollowness that arises when all joy, spontaneity, and happiness are sucked out of life. The great strength and great weakness of this film is an all encompassing remoteness that makes it seem a mental exercise as it intellectualizes but fails to make felt emotionally the utter ruin of several generations under communist rule. These stunted people are like fish in a drying pool of water that will soon forget how to breathe, but carry on anyway. Or kill themselves.

There are other weaknesses - the only female is poorly realized. It's as if the writer[s] felt they needed one, but were at a loss to as to what she would be like. Maybe they don't know any. She is presented as an unfaithful drug addict who has no idea where her own self-interest lies, but of whom we are repeatedly told is a great talent. Unfortunately they let us see her act and we see that she isn't very good at all. The same goes for the 'great playwright' whose great [and it would seem only] play seems no more than laughable, who damning article in Der Spiegel is primitive. This is all forest for trees stuff - exactly what happens 99.99% of the time when writers write about writing. They really don't have a clue and think the whole process is a good deal more fascinating that it is. Regular folk make practically no appearance in this movie.

All that said, this movie isn't boring, although everything about it screams that it must be. Perhaps because few movies about this time period are available in the US [or I am just ignorant of them] and the novelty allows you to watch 132 mins of non-stop non-action. Even the torture scenes are boring - but this is merely German, not due to stilted writing. While Hollywood would have us believe the GDR was a terrorist state, this movie would have us believe it was toothless - hurting mainly willing victims. Maybe it was somewhere in-between?

Anyway, kudos to West Germany for having the courage to lift their stunted brethren out the which ever circle of Dante's hell they found themselves in. It could not have been easy. Maybe it still isn't.

5 Star Movie.......2007-09-16

This was one of the best movies I have ever seen!
Everyone I know who has seen it agrees.

A++ Film.......2007-09-12

... a reminder that film is an art form!! This is a classic film with a powerful content!!!

The mechanisms of dictatorship.......2007-09-12

The Lives of Others is a splendid film that touches the very heart and soul of the viewer. A Cold War film that takes on a timeline that leads up to the fall of the Berlin Wall, it never lost my interest. Nothing with this film is even mediocre attempt, from the script and superb acting right down to using the actual machines that the Stasi used to investigate (spy) on possible threats to the party.

One does not know how good they have it until they see how people in other parts of the world have lived, and this film brings it home with all the gray bleakness it can muster. This is not a typical spy film so if one is hoping for wispy sounds emitting from a silencer in the dead of night and horrendous crashes that result from violent chase scenes, you would have to look elsewhere. It shows how restrained someone of an artistic nature could be in this environment, while also showing how one on the other side of the listening device can do some soul searching and take the high road, although the high road during this time and place could ultimately be one's demise, and often times that did not mean death by a bullet, but further solitude by destroying one's career path with a stroke of a pen.

Monumental in scope, the film encompasses a passionate love for people and the arts, and a gripping fear of a strict, straightforward system that left no leaf unturned when striving for ultimate power.

Police Academy - The Complete Collection

Average customer rating:

Police Academy Series 1-7
Good set of movies
police academy review
classic!
condition/product rating

Police Academy - The Complete Collection
Police Academy Gift Set
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001907DA
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Description

The complete collection of all seven movies in the law and disorder series.

Customer Reviews:

Police Academy Series 1-7.......2007-08-16

This is an outstanding investment. This DVD Collection can be enjoyed by the whole family. Feel like staying at home for a weekend? Grab this great DVD collection, relax on the couch or recliner, pop some popcorn, and get ready for the laughs!!! ENJOY!

Good set of movies.......2007-07-05

good set of movies... my altime favorites...u can watch them any number of times and it will still make u laugh

police academy review.......2007-05-30

Police Academy is a fine example of humor taken to the level of ridiculous. The many levels meld nicely together.

classic!.......2007-03-06

Last time I watched this series was when I was a kid. Watching these again felt like the first time watching. This is a must have for Police Academy fans!!

condition/product rating.......2007-02-23

The order was in perfect condition and the movies were great. I had not seen all of the movies before and they were funny.

Average customer rating:

Way Better than the departed
Infernally Sweet!
Infernal Affairs
The best Chinese language film of the last 10 years
Molasses.

Infernal Affairs (Wu jian dao)
Starring: Andy Lau , Tony Leung Chiu Wai , Anthony Wong Chau-Sang , Eric Tsang , and Kelly Chen
Director: Wai Keung Lau , and Siu Fai Mak
Manufacturer: Miramax Home Entertainment
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ASIN: B00005JN7C
Release Date: 2004-12-07

Amazon.com

With Infernal Affairs, Hong Kong filmmakers Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak have successfully taken a smart script and a great cast, added some stylistic cinematography, and dual-fistedly given a new twist to a formulaic genre. Lau Kin Ming (Andy Lau), a young, loyal gangster, is ordered by his Triad boss Sam (Eric Tsang) to join the police force. While on the inside the young mole can keep a close eye on police activity, ensuring the gang's activities will not be interrupted. Police Superintendent Wong (Anthony Wong Chau-Sang) has a similar plan. He takes a bright, ambitious police cadet Yan (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and makes him an undercover cop with plans to get him inside the Triads. Years pass and both are now deep into their assigned roles. Undercover cop Yan, more or less living the life of a gangster, is now a member of Boss Sam's group, and "Officer" Lau has all the appearance of a good cop trying to bust up the Triads' drug ring. During a bust that could finally bring down Boss Sam, the moles inadvertently become aware of each other's existence, and each is left wondering who is on the inside. What follows is a unique and exciting twist on the classic cat and mouse chase in which each man is not fighting for his life, but for his anonymity. In addition to its plot twists, what lifts Infernal Affairs above the standard cop story is its subtle exploration of the relative nature of good and evil. Part action, part psychological examination, Infernal Affairs is a sharp and fresh take on the classic crime story, and the inspiration for a 2006 Martin Scorsese remake (The Departed). Not to be missed. --Rob Bracco

Description

An award-winning crime thriller in the intense tradition of HEAT and RESERVOIR DOGS ... critics everywhere have hailed INFERNAL AFFAIRS for its gritty action and international superstars. Chan Wing Yan (Tony Leung -- HERO) is a hard-nosed veteran cop sent undercover to infiltrate the notorious Triad crime ring. An expert at bringing down violent syndicates, Chan thinks it's going to be a routine mission. What he's not prepared for is the discovery that the Triad's boss (Eric Tsang -- THE ACCIDENTAL SPY) has planted a mole (Andy Lau -- THE LEGEND OF DRUNKEN MASTER) in the police department ... and now Chan is being hunted down. In this battle of wills, only one cop can win!

Customer Reviews:

Way Better than the departed.......2007-09-15

Get this instead of the departed. This is the original story and it is superior to the departed. Great movie and well worth your money.

Infernally Sweet!.......2007-08-06

This movie rocks! The acting is grade A and it's superior to the remake The Departed. The story is a little tighter than The Departed and it's faster paced. One of the highest box office hits in China, these actors and the director have moved up huge on my list. A story of 2 moles. One who is an undercover agent who gets employed with the Chinese Syndicate and another who works for the mob but has worked his way up in the Police force. A well crafted crime noir as the search begins to find out who the moles are. Eventually the moles ask themselves questions on what they are actually doing with an explosive conclusion. I love the ending and it's one of the main reasons this film is better than The Departed. A must see.

Infernal Affairs.......2007-07-20

Remade by Martin Scorsese as "The Departed," Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak's superior "Affairs" is the kind of clever, suspenseful, genre-twisting epic Hong Kong cinema has been famous for in recent years. The directors examine the meaning of loyalty and honor while blurring the line between good and evil, and the result is a wrenching psychological cop thriller with a pace all its own. Asian star Lau is marvelous playing opposite the equally charismatic Wai, and the film gets an extra boost from its superb visuals. "Affairs" is thrilling, intelligent, and easy to love.

The best Chinese language film of the last 10 years.......2007-05-12

It is a shame that the translation in subtitles is not optimal and that the dubbed voices lack the emotional qualities of the actors supposedly talking. Cantonese is beautiful to listen to but when this film was dubbed the emotions and nuances were eliminated. The actors in this film did a great job and if you can only understand English you are missing a lot.
That being said I think Hollywood has tried to rip off this movie already once (why not, there are at least 2 sequels in Hong Kong) but did not succeed.
The story is great and you have great actors in the top 4 roles giving good, intense acting jobs. This film is about good and evil and that the difference is only by an individual's perspective. This film is really about perceptions as much as "The Matrix" was, except it shows you both sides of the perspective as equal. Never has such an intellectual movie been done as entertainment or a police / crime story although the alternate ending lessens the actual movie. Check out the alternate ending only to see that Mr. Lau (yes he is one of the stars) chose the correct ending.
One last thing, I think Americans could have used a little more screen time for Kelly Chen (the therapist) so that they could find out about her talent.

Molasses........2007-05-12

Infernal Affairs (Andrew Lau and Siu Fai Mak, 2002)

Hopefully all of you are aware by now that The Departed, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 2006, is Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Lau and Mak's Infernal Affairs. I have not yet seen The Departed, and thus can't comment on the similarity between the two movies, but I can say that this one, at least, is a winner through and through.

Our story opens with Sam (The Hitman's Eric Tsang), a mob boss, sending five of his youngest recruits off to police academy to become moles. The brightest star in the bunch is Lau Kin Ming (international superstar Andy Lau, last seen on American screens in House of the Flying Daggers), who quickly rises through the force. What none of the criminals know is that, as Lau was in the academy, the academy was grooming their own mole, Chan Wing Yan (Tony Leung Chu Wai). Both undercover agents are detected at the same time, though no one knows the identity of either, and the two end up hunting each other down.

Yes, it reads like a comedy of errors, but it's anything but. Mak and Lau keep the action white-hot after a few minutes of setup at the beginning. The viewer barely has enough time to breathe. The movie suffers a time or two when extraneous subplots are introduced, none of which actually goes anywhere, but when the directors are focusing on the main plot, it's fireworks from beginning to end. All this is helped by the fact that Lau (the character) and Chan are well-drawn, absorbing characters, and Lau (the actor) and Leung make them into real humans with which the viewer can empathize.

If you're an action movie fan, or if you just want to see what all the fuss was about this year while putting in a little over half the time it would take to watch The Departed, you can't go wrong with Infernal Affairs. ****

Police Academy (20th Anniversary Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Police Academy (20th Anniversary Special Edition) ~ G.W. Bailey
No complaints!
BEST'S COPS OF ALL TIME!!!
Master OF THE Rare LASERDISCs Movies.
Steve Guttenberg is in training to be a cop.

Police Academy (20th Anniversary Special Edition)
Starring: G.W. Bailey , Kim Cattrall , Leslie Easterbrook , George Gaynes , and David Graf
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00019074O
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Amazon.com

Astoundingly silly but incredibly popular, Police Academy is the first film in a seemingly endless franchise that takes aim at the men in blue. After a police academy drops all of its entrance requirements, all manner of misfits flood in, hoping to make it onto the force. One of these misfits, a lazy, aimless cadet played by Steve Guttenberg (Cocoon, Three Men and a Baby), was forced to enlist and tries whatever he can to get kicked out. But once he decides to stay, he tries anything and everything to finish his training, even as his drill instructor tries to shove him out. Featuring a wild bunch of strange supporting characters, from a female trainee who speaks below a whisper to a dominatrix instructor to a human sound-effects machine, Police Academy is mindless but fun. --Robert Lane

Description

When the mayor decides that the doors of the police academy be open to any and all, the applicants swarm forth like hordes of losers in a colorful assortment of nonregulation sizes, shapes and eccentricities.

Customer Reviews:

Police Academy (20th Anniversary Special Edition) ~ G.W. Bailey.......2006-05-14

Police Academy (20th Anniversary Special Edition)~ G.W. Bailey is the only good movie of them all. Guttenberg plays an amazing role, and the script is not as paper thinn as the rest of the sequells. This makes the rest of movies look look the winner of the nobel prize. The dialogue is not as horrid as the later sequells either but is kind of well developed. I love tackleberry the Vietnam craze and all the other steroetypical charachters in this movie. I also love the blue eyester bar scene. The rest of the movie is filled with typical 80's stereotypical view of society which was normal at the time. It is also a time capsule for the music (Frankie Goes to Hollywood is played in one scene), the fashion (the tacky clothes) and everything else that was like "in fashion" during the 80's. Highly recommended indeed.

No complaints!.......2006-01-04

Ideal for people who like the film Police Academy.

BEST'S COPS OF ALL TIME!!!.......2005-11-30

Cuando hablamos de policias astutos, llenos de accion y torpes? solo podemos pensar en lA mejor comedia policiaca de todos los tiempos "police academy" Que gran pelicula , muy buena comedia de los 80's con una serie de comediantes que nos hacen reir de principio a fin. NO PUEDE FALTAR EN SU COLECCION ESTE DVD !!! ALTAMENTE RECOMENDADO!!!

Master OF THE Rare LASERDISCs Movies........2005-07-10

I have POLICE ACADEMY 1,2,3,4,5,6 ON LASERDISCS!!!! And I bought'em includin Part Seven ON DVDs,No doubt Police Academy Rock yer house :P

Steve Guttenberg is in training to be a cop........2005-02-23

There was nothing at Blockbuster Video. All the new ones were gone. The low-budgets collect dust. Even Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004) was gone. So I mosied on over to comedy to find "The Four Seasons" (1981) with Carol Burnett, Alan Alda, Sandy Dennis, Rita Moreno. They never even heard of it. What I did find was all seven "Police Academy" movies and to make it more exciting, they were all on DVD.
Okay, I need to relieve some tension. I'll watch rookie cops be stupid. Besides, Steve Guttenberg and Marion Ramsey are funny and that guy from the M*A*S*H tv series is in it too.
The first film includes the cast of 11 rookies: Steve Guttenberg, Kim cattrall (Porky's {1981], Sex In The City tv series), Bubba Smith, Andrew Rubin, David Graf, Michael Winslow, Bruce Mahler ("Fridays" tv shows), Scott Thopson, Brant Van Hoffman, Marion Ramsey and Donovan Scott.
They all must get through the Police Academy and obey the orders of G.W. Bailey (M*A*S*H tv series) and Leslie Easterbrook (Laverne & Shirley tv series). To add to the comic relief, George Gaynes, Debralee Scott, Ted Ross (The Wiz), Gary Farmer (Powow Highway [1989]) and Georgina Spelvin (the age-over-40 adults know what other movies she has done).
Can these bubbleheads ever pass the Academy? They have made 7 films.
DVD includes a 30-minute featurette, "Behind Acadmey Doors: Secret Files Revealed"., theatrical trailer and audio commentary for this 20th Anniversary edition.
Runs: 1:46.
The next film in the series: Police Academy 2--Their First Assignment (1985).

Police Academy 2 - Their First Assignment

Average customer rating:

Astonishing!!!
Marvellous!
This Movie Is Hilarious!
"O-eight hundred hours. Time to deploy for school."
Art Metrano gets stuck with these cops.

Police Academy 2 - Their First Assignment
Starring: Steve Guttenberg , Bubba Smith , David Graf , Michael Winslow , and Bruce Mahler
Director: Jerry Paris
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000190758
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Amazon.com

A much inferior sequel to the first hit film, Police Academy 2 nevertheless manages to keep a free-spirited, juvenile tone. Steve Guttenberg (Cocoon, Three Men and a Baby) returns as the charming goof-off, now graduated from the academy. He and the usual batch of misfits are let loose on the streets as rookie cops, wreaking havoc everywhere they go as they do battle with terrorists threatening the city. Some choice moments from the likes of Michael Winslow, as the man whose voice can imitate any sound, barely compensate for this being a pale imitation of the original movie. --Robert Lane

Description

Mahoney and friends have graduated from the Police Academy and are issued with their first assignments. As before, their cheerfulness and devotion to duty outweighs any shortcomings, but are even they ready to do battle with a band graffiti daubing terrorists?

DVD Features:
Featurette:"Accidental Heroes: The Best Of"
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

Astonishing!!!.......2006-11-10

This movie is great!! It tells the story of a Police Captain (Howard Hessemen) who realizes that he needs some "Healthy Young Men." His brother tells him there are places he could go, bars of such. He asks "Does your wife know about this?" Then Hesseman's brother drops an entire can of fish food in his fishbowl of goldfish. Nice. This film is graced with brilliant acting performaces. Steve Guttenberg, Bobcat Goldwaitt, Bubba Smith, David Graff, Ted Kinsinskiksy, and that moron who makes stupid noises. It is a true classic. The only scene that really disturbed me was the one where the Police Commander runs around with no clothes on. Also, I didn't like how Bobcatt Goldwaitt was baised against ferris wheels!!!

Marvellous!.......2006-01-04

Ideal for people who liked the film Police Academy or for people who didn't like the film Police Academy but want to give the series a second chance.

This Movie Is Hilarious!.......2005-10-15

I like the Police Academy movies and this is definitely one of the best movies in the series and Bubba Smith, David Graf, Steve Guttenberg and the rest of the cast are hilariously funny and I highly recommend this movie!

"O-eight hundred hours. Time to deploy for school.".......2005-06-26

Still a funny film after all these years, though it would never get a PG rating nowadays! Steve Guttenberg and his fellow cadets from the original "Police Academy" must help Howard Hesseman ("WKRP In Cinncinnatti", "Head Of The Class") take back the streets in this funny follow-up to the original. Not all of the original cadets make it into the sequel, but it does introduce some new characters, such as Mahoney's sloppy partner "Schtulman" (I don't remember if he was in any of the subsequent films, but if he wasn't, he should've been). The film also introduces Bobcat Goldthwait, one of my all-time favorite comedians, as "Zed", the gang leader.

The film *is* a bit dated at times (check out Guttenberg driving around the beach on an ATV with a sweater tied around his neck), but for the most part it's still an effective comedy. Crude, but very funny.

Art Metrano gets stuck with these cops........2005-02-23

Directed by Jerry Paris.
Original Cast Members returning for the second film are: Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, David Graf, Michael Winslow, Bruce Mahler, Marion Ramsey and George R. Robertson.
They must help out Peter Van Norden and Colleen Camp who are also on the force. They must obey the orders of Howard Hesseman and Art Metrano.
Around for comic relief is: Tim Kazurinsky, Bob Goldthwait, Jennifer Darling, Jackie Joseph, and Lucy Lee Flippin.
Runs: 86 min.
The next film in the series: Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986).

Average customer rating:

Best of the Series!
MADNESS IN MOSCOW
Charles Schlatter joins the team in Moscow.
Not THE worst anticomedy ever vomitted out, but...
WORST FILM EVER

Police Academy 7 - Mission to Moscow
Starring: George Gaynes , Michael Winslow , David Graf , Leslie Easterbrook , and G.W. Bailey
Director: Alan Metter
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: B0001907D0
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Description

The cadets head to Moscow to help the Russians deal with the Mafia.

Customer Reviews:

Best of the Series!.......2007-05-23

Tagline: Kicking buttski. Making you laughski. The Academy is backski!

If you haven't seen this movie, you really should do yourself and your loved ones a favor and check it out. I know a lot of people think the Police Academy series wasn't too great after the first one, but they are dead, dead wrong.

First of all, the loss of Steve Guttenberg as Mahoney is no great one, as his character was silly and unbelievable. This film puts our favorite recruits in Moscow (which is near Russia), and has a delightful fish-out-of-water premise. Now, for those that haven't seen the prequels, you should know that the Police Academy men and women are a ragtag group of ne'erdowells who use plain moxy and hijinks to solve crimes. In many ways it's similar to the Law and Order TV show, but much much funnier.

You will be amazed at all the silly sound effects that the sound effect policeman makes, and you will be charmed by the general buffoonery that the rest of the gang makes as they try policing Moscow. It may be out of their jurisdiction...but this movie proves that there is no jurisdiction for funny.

On a more serious note, this movie came out at the height of what is known as "the Red Scare" in America, and instead of dealing with the tensions between two world superpowers with heavyhanded, treacly drama like Warren Beatty's ultra-conservative "Reds," Police Academy's Mission to Moscow makes excellent socio-political commentary under the guise of a lighthearded romp, and it pays off in spadeskis! (If you want to turn American words into Russian words, the best way is to add "ski" to the end of them. Ditto for Polish things).

This movie is a treat for almost all of your senses!!!

MADNESS IN MOSCOW.......2005-04-17

I've only seen two of the POLICE ACADEMY movies; the original and this one. This surely didn't inspire me to run out and get 2 through 6, but it had enough laughs to entertain me. Most of those laughs came from the crusty George Gaynes; Michael Winslow's attempts to disassemble Christopher Lee's mental state; Ron Perlman's over the top performance as the head of the Russian Mafia; and a few other moments of inspired hilarity. The POLICE ACADEMY series never achieved the quality of NAKED GUN or other spoof movies because it never knew when to stop, and it used redundancy instead of innovation. It seems they are remaking the original for release in 2006; wonder if it'll be any good? Who knows, but really, if you want to wasted 90 minutes with a few good laughs, this will do.

Charles Schlatter joins the team in Moscow........2005-02-24

This movie went straight to video.
After 10 years of Police Academy films, we finally have reached the last one for a while until 2006.
Original cast members returning: G.W. Bailey, George Gaynes, David Graf, Michael Winslow and Leslie Easterbrook.

Charles Schlatter is the new guy (who later got busy in CBS Diagnosis: Murder tv series). This time their special skills are needed in Moscow, Russia were they meet Christopher Lee, Ron Perlman, Claire Forlani and many Russian actors.

What put the screenwriters in a Russian mood? Perhaps they should have gone back to Miami Beach or visited Las Vegas?

Highlight: Leslie Easterbrook is really singing.
Followed by an animated cartoon series in 1988 and a Police Academy tv series in 1997.

Not THE worst anticomedy ever vomitted out, but..........2004-09-14

...that's only because that shameful position belongs to "2001: a Space Travesty", the most horrible celluloid garbage in history. However, "Police Academy VII" comes very close. In fact, I feel these two "films" should share the title. Additionally, they're both excellent contenders for the title of the worst film, not just comedy, ever made. ("Manos", you say? "Manos" is an example of highly professional and entertaining filmmaking compared to PA7 and 2K1ST...)

WORST FILM EVER.......2004-04-27

Jesus, it kills me to give it a star, but unfortunately there isn't a no star option. Worst film I've ever seen.

Average customer rating:

Police Academy (20th Anniversary Special Edition) ~ G.W. Bailey
No complaints!
BEST'S COPS OF ALL TIME!!!
Master OF THE Rare LASERDISCs Movies.
Steve Guttenberg is in training to be a cop.

Police Academy
Starring: G.W. Bailey , Kim Cattrall , Leslie Easterbrook , George Gaynes , and David Graf
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6304602901
Release Date: 1997-10-01

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Police Academy (20th Anniversary Special Edition) ~ G.W. Bailey.......2006-05-14

No complaints!.......2006-01-04

Ideal for people who like the film Police Academy.

BEST'S COPS OF ALL TIME!!!.......2005-11-30

Master OF THE Rare LASERDISCs Movies........2005-07-10

I have POLICE ACADEMY 1,2,3,4,5,6 ON LASERDISCS!!!! And I bought'em includin Part Seven ON DVDs,No doubt Police Academy Rock yer house :P

Steve Guttenberg is in training to be a cop........2005-02-23

Average customer rating:

Police Academy 6 - City Under Siege ~ Bubba Smith
Bruce Mahler returns to the Academy gang.
More adventures of the Metropolitan Police Academy
HILARIOUS
Hilarious

Police Academy 6 - City Under Siege
Starring: Bubba Smith , David Graf , Michael Winslow , Leslie Easterbrook , and Marion Ramsey
Director: Peter Bonerz
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001907A8
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Description

The cadets take to the streets when three inept goons successfully orchestrate a metropolitan crime wave.

Customer Reviews:

Police Academy 6 - City Under Siege ~ Bubba Smith.......2006-06-13

Police Academy 6 - City Under Siege~ Bubba Smith is not as good as the first movie. Still it is not any worst then 3, 4 or 5 and I grade it 2 stars. The script could have been written by 100 monkeys at 100 typewriters. The movie is filled as usual with steero typical roles. Some of the jokes like the guy with the sound effects is like old and many others have been like recycled so many times that even the script writers must have known this. Then again it is a police academy movie so to expect a well written script is like asking to much. The acting is terrible and even worst then the previous movies since Guttenberg and Goldwaith are missing and their wit and smarts could like save many situations. The music is some of the worst 80's music I have ever heard and even when this movie was made I must have been hard pressed to identify them. Still you will not get grade A artists coming flocking to a 6th sequell of a movie. If you like Police Academy movies then this will be barely ok, otherwise avoid this pseudo turkey of a movie. Yeah it is not a total bomb, but I can only give it 2 stars.

Bruce Mahler returns to the Academy gang........2005-02-24

Original cast members returning: Bubba Smith, David Graf, Michael Winslow, Leslie easterbrook, Marion Ramsey.

Also returning is: Lance Kinsey, Matt McCoy, Arthur Batanides.

Harris now works at the Wilson Heights Division. There has been a crime wave going on and Harris needs some help. Surprise! Harris gets a new partner, Cmndt. Lassard.
Your going to like Hooks (Marion Ramsey) in this one. There are three thugs (Gerrit Graham, Brian Seeman, Darwyn Swalve), but who is the mastermind?
Film runs 83 minutes.
The next film in the series: Police Academy 7: Mission To Moscow (1994).

More adventures of the Metropolitan Police Academy.......2004-05-26

Yes,Commandant Eric Lassard(George Gaynes) is still here. He was supposed to retire after the end of the previous sequel due to age limits. Commissioner Henry Hurst(George R. Robertson) announced in the last scene that Eric continue being the MPA's commandant until he personally decides to retire. That brought relief and happiness to Eric's colleagues,except Captain Harris(G.W. Bailey) and Lieutenant Proctor(Lance Kinsey),of course. In the sixth film of this Police Academy series,it opens with Harris and Proctor on a stakeout one Sunday morning in civilian attire. They missed the Wilson Heights gang striking. They didn't know until another cop from another precinct told them. It turns out that the mastermind of the gang is the city mayor(Kenneth Mars). Matt McCoy returns as Eric's nephew Nick,now an MPA member. Douglas Fackler(Bruce Mahler) returns after being written out of the previous two sequels. We even see Nick and Doug meeting,exchanging handshakes. The mayor's hobby is collecting model ships,which he built himself. Harris complimented the mayor's fabulous collection,but he accidentally destroyed one of the ships. One funny scene was where a dye pack exploded after Harris walked out of a bank with it. The dye discharged all over him. That almost happened to Nick,who claims he found dropped stolen money and was gonna give it to Commissioner Hurst. The Wilson Heights gang planted stolen jewelry inside Commandant Lassard's office,thus the commandant being falsely accused of the theft,and him and his team being suspended. Harris and Hurst found the stolen jewelry. The mayor,disguised as Commissioner Hurst,is taken away after the MPA learn that he masterminded the gang's crimes. The mayor had the gang set up a crime wave in an area of property that he planned to devalue and purchase. So Eric and his gang were reinstated and in the last scene,at a ceremony,Lt. Hightower(Bubba Smith) and Harris swap assigned seats and Harris ascends into the friendly skies with helium-filled latex balloons attached to the chair he's sitting in. Nick cuts the ties holding the balloons. We hear Harris exclaiming,"Oh,Proctor,Proctor,PROCTOR!!". It's amazing that there were six Police Academy movies made and released one by one in a six-year period(1984 to 1989). It's like a long-running television series. Say goodbye to McCoy since he would not return for the seventh and most recent film.

HILARIOUS.......2004-03-10

This is the second best in the series of seven movies. It has drop down humor, and great jokes. One of my favorites, Douglas Fackler returns. Another great family film and is great for a party. The crew is all here, Larvell Jones, Moses Hightower, Hooks, Doug Fackler, Eugine Tackleberry, Debbie Calahan Nick Lassard, Thaddeus Harris, Procter, and Eric Lassard. And finally, after a long wait, the Police Academy series is coming to dvd. You can buy them seprate, or in a box set that I recommend you buying. The series will be realesed on April 6. This an ok dvd when it comes to features, it has a trailer and a making of reel. Here are some good parts in this movie, when Jones does Terminator, when Fackler knockes a lit cigar into the fireworks box, when hightower raps and when Tackleberry's granade gets shot up into the air and lands on Harris's car. So, mark your calender for April 6 because Police Academy is coming to dvd.
Actors:
Michael Winslow, Bubba Smith, David Graf, Bruce Mahler, Lance Kinsey, Leslie Easterbrook, Marion Ramsey, G.W. Bailey, Matt McCoy, George Gaynes, George R. Robertson, Gerrit Graham and Kennith Mars. So get ready to laugh with the worlds funniest police force, on dvd.

Hilarious.......2004-02-26

This movie made me howl with laughter. One of my favorites, Fackler returns. Buy the pack when it comes out in april on dvd.

Average customer rating:

This movie tried so hard to be funny, but it still failed at so many levels
This had a lot of potential
Police Academy 4 - Citizens on Patrol ~ Steve Guttenberg
Oh Yes!
"He was like scared..he was flinchin'!...."

Police Academy 4 - Citizens on Patrol
Starring: Steve Guttenberg , Bubba Smith , Michael Winslow , David Graf , and Tim Kazurinsky
Director: Jim Drake (II)
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000190762
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Description

A new batch of civilian volunteers joins the new Citizens on Patrol program, but Captain Harris is determined to see it fail.

Customer Reviews:

This movie tried so hard to be funny, but it still failed at so many levels.......2006-10-23

I really enjoyed the Police Academy movies when they came out in the eighties. The cast was fantastic because everyone had their own unique personalities. But, I really think that they should have stopped making these sequels after Police Academy Three: Back in Training, because all the humor started to really be repetitive and boring. That's too bad too because this movie "Police Acamedy 4: Citizens on Patrol, really did gather together quite an impressive cast of stars. Most of the original cast, plus we got Sharon Stone, David Spade, Brian Backer (from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"), and a cast of professional skateboarders, and we got a wonderful display of hot air balloons, and classic antique two passenger airplanes. It seems like it worked with a huge budget, but this comedy was so unfunny, I really don't know if I can ever sit through it again. I can certainly see why Steve Guttenberg (Mahoney) decided to not come back and participate in the three following (destined to fail) follow-up films of more Police Academy.

I bought the box set of all seven Police Academy films and quickly got rid of the last three after I watched them. They were so bad. Easily forgettable stories with an absolutely unfunny script. The only reason that I kept this Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, is because it has an actress that I fell in love with the first time I saw her. Corrine Bohrer, who plays Laura, and who has a strange attraction to Zed (Bobcat Goldthwait) in the film. When I saw her thick head of blonde hair flopping around, I was mesmerized. Since then, I've learned that Corrine Bohrer ended up being more of a cast extra on regular TV. That's too bad because she is so gorgeous.

Anyway, I'll keep this fourth Police Academy DVD only because of Corrine Bohrer, but I still love the first three because the humor was still fresh and new, and they actually had tangible stories that kept me interested.

This had a lot of potential.......2006-08-19

Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol isn't a bad film; it's just uneven and underdeveloped. And even though none of the previous three films were masterpieces, exactly--although for my money, Police Academy 2 comes pretty close to that designation--Police Academy 4 is something of a letdown in context.

I just finished writing my review for Death Wish 3 (1985). In that review, I also referenced Aliens (1986). I mention this here because writer Gene Quintano and director Jim Drake take a similar approach to those films in breaking the Police Academy template--they broaden the character scope, introducing a virtual army of protagonists. That move is the main source of the problems here, but it's also the main source of a mostly untapped potential for a great film.

The idea is that Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) is initiating a program to train citizens in basic police skills and procedures, so that they can help crack down on crime. As just a trivial example of how Police Academy 4 is underdeveloped, the program is "Citizens on Patrol", so that the acronym is C.O.P.--you can't get a much thinner pun than that.

Of course, there are bigger problems. Quintano and Drake fill some of their time with 1980s trends--like a long skateboarding scene (featuring a very young David Spade and skateboarding by an just as young Tony Hawk). There's some good skateboarding there, but it doesn't exactly fit a Police Academy film. Much of the first hour is filled with jokes based around core Police Academy characters' personalities, as in the previous three films, but whereas the material was fresh if underdeveloped in Police Academy 1, quick-witted and breakneck-paced in Police Academy 2, and more sequentially gag-oriented and slightly hit and miss in Police Academy 3, here it is too often a bit flat and stale. There are some funny bits, of course, but in light of the multilayered quick delivery and nonstop gags of some previous films, settling in as a rehashing underachiever on this end isn't going to entail success.

Mixed in with this standard material is the introduction of the C.O.P. program and its characters. Many of the new characters are good, but Drake is comfortable to let the film be a slow cooker, far too slow for where he eventually goes with it. While it's slow cooking, he treats the C.O.P. characters as an expanded core Police Academy cast--which is okay, because they all have their quirks just like Mahoney, Hightower, Tackleberry et al do, and those need to be established.

But here's the problem. In the final 20 - 30 minutes of the film, Drake does something very different for a Police Academy film and clever for this plot. He breaks the settings wide open, sets all his characters in chaotic motion, and achieves a madcap misadventure feel ala It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963). What a great idea! But why did it take almost an hour to get there in a film that's just over 80 minutes long? The C.O.P. program and the new characters should have been introduced in 20 - 25 minutes tops, and the madcap misadventure stuff should have been developed far more so that it built momentum over the next 70 or 80 minutes. That would have made this an excellent film instead of a cursorily enjoyable one, because the last 25 minutes are good, with quite a few flashes of greatness.

Police Academy 4 - Citizens on Patrol ~ Steve Guttenberg.......2006-06-10

This series, Police Academy 4 - Citizens on Patrol~ Steve Guttenberg, was getting worst and worst. The acting is like nowhere close to the first movie. This movie is about as filled steerotypes as ever. The fighting Italian family, the obligatory Blue Oyster Bar. Here we get to see a young David Spade in his first movie and he was the lucky winner to be included in this mediocre junk. This is also Steve Guttenbergs last movie playing the role as Mahoney and I do not blame him for wanting out. The jokes are the same as in the first movie. The script is like a joke compared to the first movie and the citizens on patrol idea was just stupid. The music is terrible and sounds like the cheapest 80's music that they could possibly find. This movie should only be seen by Police Academy diehards. Otherwise this sequell could like easily be avoided and this is getting close to being a turkey.

Oh Yes!.......2006-01-04

Ideal for people who liked Police Academy 1,2 and 3, people who liked Police Academy 1 and 2, didn't like Police Academy 3 but are hoping for a return to form, or people who didn't like Police Academy 1 or 3 but liked Police Academy 2 so much they are willing to give the series another chance. Not recommended for people who didn't like Police Academy 1,2 or 3.

"He was like scared..he was flinchin'!....".......2005-11-18

Police Academy was a hugely sucessful film franchise throughout the majority of the 1980s and Citizens On Patrol is arguably the best of the lot. Returning characters include Sgt Carey Mahoney, Hightower, Hooks, Jones, Callahan, Tackleberry and two recruits from the previous picture, Sweetchuck and Zed. The story of Commandant Lassard wanting to implement a new citizen outreach program with the usual opposition from Captain Harris is worthy of another sequel but it is Zed who steals the thunder of the other cast members and takes the spotlight to new heights of hilarium. If you love old style comedy pick up POLICE ACADEMY 4-CITIZENS ON PATROL today!

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment/Police Academy 3: Back in Training

Average customer rating:

Police Academy 3
Great Deal Police Academy Films.

Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment/Police Academy 3: Back in Training
Starring: Comedy Double Feature
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009UZG5K
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Description

Quick - what's the number for 9-1-1? The raw, inept lunkheaded grads who went to school and became raw, inept, lunkheaded cops take to the streets to confront a crime wave and somehow refrain from waving back in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment. Bobcat Goldthwait plays the lead prankster confronting the bumblers in blue. Next, our heroes try to save their beloved alma mater from the budgetary ax in Police Academy 3: Back in Training. On the roll call for both films: befuddled Cmdt. Lassard (George Gaynes), Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg), Hightower (Bubba Smith), Hooks (Marion Ramsey) and more favorites. Cop all the fun!

Customer Reviews:

Police Academy 3.......2007-08-27

I only received Police Academy 2. Police Academy 3 was not included in this package. It's a shame because I bought them for my 12-year old daughter and I told her I enjoyed these movies when they came out in the 80s.

Next time, make sure the package contains what the consumer pays for.

Great Deal Police Academy Films........2007-01-16

This quite a great deal on these films on disc so the downside is that it is doublesided but than it's also a good thing, both films are in widescreen so that great of warners brothers to do that. if you are police academy fan then this kinda of deal to get two films for such a low price. the only reason i give four stars is the transfer of picture on both films looks a little dark maybe it the dvd player i'm using oh well good deal anyway, this also comes with special features one on each side.

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