During World War II in Nazi occupied Poland, poor Jewish café owner Jakob ('Robin Williams' ) accidentally overhears a forbidden radio news bulletin signaling Soviet military successes against German forces. To fight the incredible depression and suicide throughout the ghetto, Jakob tells fictitious news bulletins about Allied advances against the Nazis. These lies keep hope and humor alive among the ghetto inhabitants. The Germans learn of the mythical radio, however, and begin a search for the resistance hero who dares operate it.

Armin Mueller-Stahl, who plays Dr. Kirschbaum (the Professor) was also in Jakob, der Lügner (1975) (upon which the 1999 film is based) as Roman Stahm, the brother of the character who was shot.

[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."

Factual errors: The German officer referred to as "Herr General" wears the insignia of an SS-Colonel.

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