To Be or Not to Be - Characters & Cast

Driven by a mixture of patriotic duty and the desperate need to prove he is a "great, great actor" to his wife and the Nazis.

Tura begins as a "ham" actor obsessed with his reputation. Through the war, he transitions from seeking applause on stage to seeking survival through performance, eventually proving that his acting skills can save lives.

Motivated by a desire for excitement, a love for her husband, and a fierce loyalty to her country.

A glamorous star who uses her charm to navigate danger. She manages a delicate balancing act between her husband's ego and the romantic advances of Sobinski, eventually becoming a key operative for the resistance.

To protect Maria and fulfill his duty as a Polish airman in the RAF.

Initially a lovesick pilot who treats the war like a romantic adventure, he is the bridge between the resistance and the theater troupe, forcing the actors into the real world.

Maintaining his status and surviving the internal politics of the Nazi party.

The stereotypical "Concentration Camp" Ehrhardt remains static as a bumbling bureaucrat whose primary fear is disappointing Hitler, serving as the perfect foil for the actors' schemes.

To finally play a "great part" that speaks the truth about his humanity.

A bit player who dreams of playing Shylock. He provides the film's moral weight, delivering the famous "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech in a real-life confrontation with the Nazis.