The Tunnel

Made in 2001, The Tunnel's long-delayed release in Britain – and its origins as a television movie – is no indication of its quality. Inspired by the true story of a group of people attempting to help their loved ones escape from East Germany by way of an ambitious tunnel below the newly erected Berlin Wall, Roland Suso Richter's film is a masterclass in suspense and tightly-wound drama.

One does not require great knowledge of the historical events in order to sympathise with the characters' mission; this is about the lengths people will go to for their families. There are solid performances throughout, with Heino Ferch (Downfall) particularly impressive – as the group's leader, he is ruggedly charismatic and bears a striking resemblance to Bruce Willis at his best. Expertly shot, The Tunnel is captivating and emotional, while its lengthy running time (edited to 160 minutes) passes by quickly, particularly during the tense, desperate, thrilling finale. [Becky Bartlett]