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Bookmark this pageThe Boy In The Striped Pyjamas (2008)
Director: Mark Herman
Synopsis
The son of a Nazi officer befriends a concentration camp inmate in this harrowing, inspiring drama.
Movie review
From Time Out London
This writer can’t remember witnessing a harder-hitting kids’ movie denouement than the one that closes this microcosm of middle-class German family life in WWII. A tender adaptation of John Boyne’s 2006 children’s novel, Mark Herman’s film views a world in conflict through the innocent eyes of eight-year-old Bruno (Asa Butterfield), whose cosseted lifestyle as the son of a high-ranking Nazi officer (David Thewlis) is in stark contrast to the intolerable existence experienced by Europe’s Jewish populace.At first we’re never quite sure what role Bruno’s father plays in the war, but we – and his increasingly suspicious wife (Vera Farmiga) – soon come to the conclusion that he has something to do with the distant concentration camp visible from the family’s back window. When Bruno spots a group of men toiling away in striped clothing, he’s sufficiently inquisitive to sneak over the garden gate for a peek.
It’s there, behind the camp’s electric fence, that Bruno first claps eyes on Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), a shaven-headed prisoner of the same age. As a conversation develops between the children, they strike up a friendship – one that leads to a shockingly fateful decision. The frightfully English accents are way out of kilter for a film set in Europe, but you learn to live with it. Thewlis, too, seems ill-cast at first but, as the film takes on a more sombre, foreboding tone, he begins to relish the part. Ultimately, though, it’s the kids’ movie; both Butterfield and Scanlon deliver strong, poignant performances. Just prepare to leave the screening feeling somewhat depressed.
Author: Derek Adams
Time Out London Issue 1986, 11-17 Sept
User reviews of this film
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- hena said...
- Posted on Feb 09 2012 13:39 amazing film devastating ending
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- Isobel said...
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Posted on Jan 18 2012 20:17
AMAZING!!!!!!!
I cried at the end,one of the best movies ive ever watched, really touching :D xxx - Report as inappropriate
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- Tim said...
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Posted on Dec 11 2011 12:44
While this is a fairly well-made film with good performances from the cast and a screenplay that is reasonably faithful to the book, I have two general problems with it. First the story stretches the limits of credibility in several ways. It seems hard to believe Bruno would be so unaware of the antipathy to Jews with his background, and that his sister who becomes so fervently supportive of the Nazi ideal would not pass on her conviction to him. the camp seems to have very lax security in that the fence is neither maintained nor patrolled in any effective way and there would have been escapes.
But if you do suspend belief the. You are left with the question as to the purpose of the book. I am not suggesting that it is not important for new generation to know about the inhumanity of the 3rd Reich but to me the film is an unpleasant and slightly gratuitous way to do that by creating a scenario that is not credible (of course there were you g children in the camps and some worked) in order to highlight the similarities and differences between the two boys backgrounds. I left the film wondering why anyone would write this and whether it is a good way to inform children about the holocaust. Having visited several camps I do know these things so if I am charitable I could accept that the story might be informative for those with no knowledge. But I did not enjoy the film and I did not feel the message was based sufficiently in a credible plot to be compelling. - Report as inappropriate
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- Dan said...
- Posted on Oct 30 2011 22:27 JK (comment beneath me), they call it 'the kids' movie', not 'a kids movie'
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- JK said...
- Posted on Sep 03 2011 18:27 I'm disappointed that the reviewer refers to this film as a 'kids' movie'. The reason it's hard hitting is because it not a 'kids' move' - it's a move about kids which are two different things!
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- Marilyn said...
- Posted on Aug 31 2011 15:29 Watched this film last night. Many of the elements of the ghastly events were there. The acting, especially, the two boys was brilliant. I found it totally believable and tragic, as the innocence of Bruno and his Mother were portrayed. Devasting end. Not just a story, but reality. It is still on my mind. Easier to follow in English well spoken. Haven't read the book, and can only imagine that the detail enhances the horror.
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- Mazza said...
- Posted on Aug 30 2011 23:06 I just watched this for the second time and still it managed to make me cry =( It has possibly the saddest ending I've ever seen in a film, one of my faves.
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- Alex said...
- Posted on Aug 30 2011 22:53 An incredible film. The acting, especially of the children, is simply unbelievable, establishing such a strong, genuine emotional connection that the stark pain and dark irony hits very deep indeed.
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- Diana said...
- Posted on Aug 30 2011 22:38 Extraordinarily moving, its not a comprehensive depiction of the realities of life on a concentration camp, far from it, all beautifully filmed and sunlit. This is a childs eye view and a palletable, powerful and deeply moving film which I watched with my eleven year old.
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- John Cooper said...
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Posted on Feb 22 2011 23:39
Hard to believe that the children in this film were `acting` as the performances are so convincing. Given
the subject matter and the dark irony of the denouement, the film is mercifully concise. Set in the heat of summer, with luscious photography, the film
captures the warmth and innocence of childhood. in the final analysis the film is a morality tale which
ultimately inspires rather than depresses. . . . which
is no little achievement. . . . - Report as inappropriate
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- Striped said...
- Posted on Dec 14 2010 21:55 A-M-A-ZING! I wanted to cry @ the end when the 2 boys died in th gas chamber! :(
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- jessica said...
- Posted on Dec 10 2010 10:58 the film aint boring it is sad and good actually i have seen the movie soo whayyy :)
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- harrison said...
- Posted on Nov 18 2010 18:59 borin
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- tina frenchesca said...
- Posted on Nov 07 2010 06:12 i cried at the end, but it was an amazing movie :D
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- harish pc said...
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Posted on Oct 16 2010 07:14
one of the best movie i watched ever !
really touching story & well fimed one.
many many thanks for them. - Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Mark Herman
Cast: David Thewlis, Asa Faringer, Jack H Wiener, Sheila Hancock, Vera Farmiga full cast
Rated: 12A
Duration: 94 mins
UK Release: Sep 12 2008
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