He is arrested by a certain police officer, Herzog, who later becomes his master in the camp. With Germany’s war effort failing, it’s Herzog’s idea to get Sally to create copies of British pounds and later US dollars to flood the countries and destabilize their economies. So, Sally and some of his talented pals are given special treatment – softer beds, food – but are still under brutal Nazi control. (Herzog urinates on Sally in one particularly humiliating scene.)The dilemma, of course, is what will one do to save oneself? By advancing Germany’s cause – Herzog tells Sally they’re all on the same team now – he is, of course, perpetuating the suffering of his (and many other) people. Sally runs up against Burger (August Diehl), another inmate who has the ways and means to subvert the counterfeiting. Is he truly the man of principle? Maybe, but if he succeeds, the Nazis will kill his group, and bring in others to try. Sally sees his mission as to keep staying alive as long as possible. Burger is willing to sacrifice himself and the others. The tension between them and the others is palpable; it’s especially wrenching to hear (and hear of) the fates of the prisoners outside their special enclave. (To give them “recreational” motivation, Herzog gives them a Ping-Pong table.) As Germany slides closer and closer to defeat, the tension ratchets up. This film, at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, the Kendall Square Cinema and the West Newton Theatres, is gripping in the extreme. The fact that it’s based on truth, the Germans Operation Bernhard, adds to your immersion. You can’t help feel the anger and rage you feel at every Holocaust movie from “Schindler’s List” (which this recalls, to a degree) to “Shoah” to “The Pianist.” And you can’t help but wonder what you do, what compromises you would make, what stands you would take, when death is constantly lurking and being made to feel subhuman is what the daily grind is all about. This film lingered in my mind long after it ended. Tickets: $9.75. Check website below for showtimes.

CC: 290 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-566-2500 www.coolidge.org Kendall: 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-499-1996 www.landmarktheatres.com  W.Newton, 1296 Washington St., Newton, 617-964-6060 www.westnewtoncinema.com