The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Cast: Vera Farmiga, Asa Butterfield, Zac Mattoon O'Brian, Cara Horgan and David Thewlis.

Director: Mark Herman

Release Date: 2008

Running Time: 1hr 34 minutes

Genre: Drama

Rating: 12

Format: Netflix UK

Synopsis:

Bruno, the eight year old son of a Commandant at a German concentration camp, forms a forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the otherside.

Based on the novel of the same name by John Boyne. Set in Germany World War two. Bruno's (Butterfield) father is promoted to be a Commandant of a German concentration camp, forcing them to move out of Berlin into the countryside. Bruno, however struggles to make new friends when he wonders along to the concentration camp, along the fence he meets Shmuel, a Jewish boy, a friendship soon forms that becomes forbidden, leading to disastrous consequences. Those that have read the novel, have stated that it is not historically accurate. Can we just pause for a moment and remember that this is just a film based on true events, not a documentary.

The whole premise that Jews were treated so badly during World War two, honestly makes my skin crawl. I can't actually comprehend it. I'm glad things are very different now. Asa Butterfield stars as young Bruno, an actor I've always found to be wise beyond his years. A fantastic child actor, although not so young anymore. Butterfield delivers a very innocent and pure performance. As far as Bruno is concerned, he is being kind with his friendship to Shmuel, completely unaware of how serious the situation really is. Bruno's sister Gretal however, is very aware of what is going on around her, starstruck by the young soldiers who work for her father.

British actor David Thewlis is magnificent as Ralf, a German Commandant. Ruthless and strict. Ralph believes what he is doing is right, much to the dismay of his wife played by "Bates Motel's" Vera Farmiga. As always, Farmiga delivers a great performance, a terrific actress who always shows depths of emotion in her characters. Although the storyline might not necessarily be historically accurate, Historians have stated that children as young as Shmuel would not have been at the camp, it's likely they would of been gassed immediately, as they would of been too young to work. the storyline however, is still exceptionally good and deeply emotional. A film, that most definitely should be shown in History lessons at school.

Although the film is set in Germany, it was filmed in Hungary. It's not accurate in terms of the storyline, however it adds to the tone of the film nicely. Visually a very decent looking movie, with simple production design. The house that Bruno and his family live in is grand and accurate for the time period in which it's set. The score by James Horner adds a lot of emotion to the storyline. Although it's simple, it really adds to the tone of the film. A deeply emotional film that is highly educating and touching.

4/5 stars