The Last Execution backdrop
DRAMA . 2021 . 1h 56m . German . 6.3/10

The Last Execution_

Original: Nahschuss

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

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...

Starring Lars Eidinger, Devid Striesow, Luise Heyer
6.3/10
Rating
1h 56m
Runtime
2021
Year
Updated Feb 16, 2026
The Last Execution poster
Based on the true story of the secret death penalty in East Germany

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...

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DROPTHE_ GOSSIP

Cast
Lars Eidinger stars as Dr. Franz Walter in The Last Execution.
Lars Eidinger →
Year context
The Last Execution was released 5 years ago in 2021.
Overview
The ambitious scientist Franz Walter doesn't hesitate when he is promised a professorship at the university. He immediately accepts, pledges absolute loyalty...
The Last Execution is a Drama, Thriller film with a runtime of 1h 56m.

CAST (20)

Lars Eidinger
Lars Eidinger
Dr. Franz Walter
Devid Striesow
Devid Striesow
Dirk Hartmann
Luise Heyer
Luise Heyer
Corina Walter
Paula Kalenberg
Paula Kalenberg
Klara
Peter Benedict
Peter Benedict
Schreiber
Victoria Trauttmansdorff
Victoria Trauttmansdorff
Professor Link
Andreas Schröders
Andreas Schröders
Hagedorn
Moritz Jahn
Moritz Jahn
Bodo Renner
Kai Wiesinger
Kai Wiesinger
Wagner
Peter Lohmeyer
Peter Lohmeyer
Panther
Christian Redl
Christian Redl
Hans Walter
Hedi Kriegeskotte
Hedi Kriegeskotte
Margrit Walter
NR
Neithardt Riedel
Corina's Father
MH
Monika Härtl
Corina's Mother
Hendrik Heutmann
Hendrik Heutmann
Bernd
Florian Anderer
Florian Anderer
Schulte
Inka Löwendorf
Inka Löwendorf
Anja Hartmann
Ada Philine Stappenbeck
Ada Philine Stappenbeck
Luisa Langfeld
LH
Leon Hoge
Horst Langfeld
Daniel Drewes
Daniel Drewes
Judge Nolte

STUDIOS (5)

Network Movie C-Films Deutschland ZDF ARTE Franks Filmproduktion

DETAILS

Release
Status
Released
Runtime
116 min (1h 56m)
Original Title
Nahschuss
Language
German
Country
Rating
6.3/10 (54 votes)
Popularity
8

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...
How long is The Last Execution?
The Last Execution has a runtime of 116 minutes (1h 56m).
Who stars in The Last Execution?
The cast of The Last Execution includes Lars Eidinger, Devid Striesow, Luise Heyer, Paula Kalenberg, Peter Benedict.
What is the rating of The Last Execution?
The Last Execution has a rating of 6.3 out of 10 based on 54 votes on TMDB.

GENRES (2)

Drama Thriller
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