The film itself is in muted color, with several neutral colors and washed out greens and blues, all of which are used for a definitive reason. East Germany was practically a prison at the time of the construction of the Berlin Wall, with citizens unable to leave the country and either spied on or feeling constantly under surveillance. There was no freedom, only conformity to the socialist government; it is for this reason that the director chose for the visuals of the film to reflect the reality of life at that time. One specific color of note throughout the film is gray; Wiesler frequently wears the same gray coat to blend in with the mediocrity of society. But the color gray can also be seen as a moral gray zone in which not only are there two opposing sides, white versus black or moral versus immoral, but the character who almost always wears gray is himself in a moral zone gray. As Wiesler opens his mind and heart to the possibility of truly living a life and having the comfort of love, he begins to realize that constant spying and eavesdropping are not honorable actions to take. undertake, whatever their belief in the socialist system. Brightness, or lack thereof, is also important in changing Wiesler's moral compass. Through all the