movie accurately portrays struggle life typical east german watched secret police friends coworkers easterners simply existedbr br the strelzyks wetzels two families decided going take anymore br br despite extreme danger involved escaping west feel rewards far outweighed risks john hurt beau bridges portraying respective family heads hit upon idea flying east germanys heavily fortified border br br there tense moments gather jimmyrig necessary materials flight work day jobs construct balloon night right noses authorities one strelzyks neighbor klaus loewitsch br br the first attempt involving strelzyks ends failure balloon crashes yards border crashed balloon discovered border guards relentless search begins conspirators determined try again sales materials closely monitored peter guenter still manage procure bits pieces cloth construct second balloon nail biting escape freedom film also features heartwarming effective soundtrack late jerry goldsmith