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The Book Thief
2013 131 min Germany, United States of America PG-13 12+
★7.3
Drama
Director: Brian Percival
🎭 Based on
«The Book Thief»
byMarkus Zusak
Trailers
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EN
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Description
While subjected to the horrors of WWII Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Under the stairs in her home, a Jewish refugee is being sheltered by her adoptive parents.
Budget:
$19M
US Gross:
$21.49M
Worldwide:
$76.59M
Starring
Sophie Nélisse
Actor
Geoffrey Rush
Actor
Emily Watson
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 2014
— Best Original Score
Golden Globe 2014
— Best Original Score
Saturn Awards 2014
— Best Young Performer
Saturn Awards 2014
— Best Original Score
Saturn Awards 2014
— Best Action/Adventure Film
Saturn Awards 2014
— Best Supporting Actress
BAFTA 2014
— Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music
Key opinion
The Book Thief is widely praised for its emotionally resonant performances and its unique, civilian-focused perspective on life in Nazi Germany. However, critics are divided over the film's gentle, softened approach to historical trauma, which some find accessible and touching, while others dismiss it as an overly sanitized adaptation.
| Acting | Jeffrey Rush and Emily Watson provide powerhouse performances that ground the film's emotional stakes. | |
| Score | John Williams's evocative, heart-pulsing score is a standout technical achievement that enhances the film's atmosphere. | |
| Adaptation | The film's soft, fable-like tone is a point of contention; some appreciate its accessibility for younger audiences, while others argue it flattens the harsh reality of the Holocaust. | |
| Pacing | The narrative's pacing is viewed by many as contemplative and effective, though some critics find the film's tempo to be slow and lacking in necessary dramatic momentum. |