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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
2008 94 min United Kingdom, United States of America PG-13 16+
★7.5
Drama, War, History
Director: Mark Herman
🎭 Based on
«The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas»
byJohn Boyne
Trailers
Description
When his family moves from their home in Berlin to a strange new house in Poland, young Bruno befriends Shmuel, a boy who lives on the other side of the fence where everyone seems to be wearing striped pajamas. Unaware of Shmuel's fate as a Jewish prisoner or the role his own Nazi father plays in his imprisonment, Bruno embarks on a dangerous journey inside the camp's walls.
Budget:
$12.5M
US Gross:
$9.05M
Worldwide:
$20.42M
Starring
Asa Butterfield
Actor
David Thewlis
Actor
Rupert Friend
Actor
Awards
Goya Awards 2009
— Best European Film
Key opinion
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a divisive yet emotionally potent drama that explores the horrors of the Holocaust through the eyes of an innocent child. While many viewers are deeply moved by the performances and the shocking conclusion, critics frequently point to historical inaccuracies and logistical plot contrivances that undermine the film's realism.
| Emotion | The film succeeds in delivering a profound emotional impact, leaving many viewers disturbed and deeply affected by the tragic conclusion. | |
| Acting | The performances, particularly by Vera Farmiga and the young leads, are widely praised for adding necessary weight and humanity to the story. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay faces significant criticism for logic lapses and historical implausibility, specifically regarding the ease with which children interact with a guarded concentration camp. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing are split; some find the film gripping throughout, while others feel the first act is sluggish and lacks sufficient narrative momentum. | |
| Adaptation | The adaptation is viewed inconsistently; some feel it effectively heightens the tragedy of the source material, while others argue that key character changes and invented scenes weaken its thematic integrity. |