this movie accurately portray the struggle life be for the typical east german . watch by the secret police and friend and coworkers and most easterner simply exist . the strelzyk and the wetzel be two family that decide they weren not go to take it anymore . despite the extreme danger involve in escape to the west and they feel the reward far outweigh the risk . john hurt and beau bridge and portray the respective family head hit upon the idea of fly over east germany heavily fortify border . there be tense moment a they gather and jimmy rig the necessary material for the flight . they work their day job and construct the balloon at night and right under the nose of the authority and one of whom be strelzyk neighbor ( klaus loewitsch ) . the first attempt and involve only the strelzyks and end in failure when the balloon crash just a few yard from the border . the crashed balloon be discover by border guard and an relentless search begin for the conspirator who be determine to try again . with sale of material be closely monitor peter and guenter still manage to procure bit and piece of cloth with which to construct a second balloon for their nail biting escape to freedom . the film also feature a heartwarming and effective soundtrack by the late jerry goldsmith .