Movie Review: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Holocaust was undeniably one of the greatest tragedies committed by man. I know it happened, but it's so hard to comprehend how someone could perpetrate such cruelty and be so convincing in his beliefs to have so many follow him, perhaps to the point of denying the reality of what they are doing. I am sure that all of you have seen at least one film about the Holocaust. Films have been made that take us inside the camps, forcing us to confront the horror that often seems too shocking to be real. From Schindler's List to The Pianist, from The Grey Zone to Judgment at Nuremberg, the big screen has regularly made attempts to deal with the horror. Now along comes The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, a film that takes a personal, innocent, and tragic look at the tragedy.

boy-striped-pajamas-movie-17Bruno (Asa Butterfield) is an eight-year-old boy living with his family in Berlin. He is happy playing with his friends and admiring his father Rudolf's (David Thewlis) powerful status as a Nazi officer without really being aware of the specifics. Young Bruno arrives home one day to find his life on the verge of a drastic change. His father has been promoted and the family is leaving their expansive home for the country. The family is honored and expected to be happy for the move, but Bruno is none too pleased as he will miss the home he loves and his friends.

After the move, Bruno finds himself in a large, foreboding home that doesn't look much like the farmhouse he expected. Soldiers come and go and Rudolf can be seen taking meetings behind closed doors. Despite his displeasure with the move, Bruno takes the opportunity to explore the grounds around the home. He is most curious about the farm he can see from his bedroom window, the one were people wear striped pajamas to work. Unfortunately, the possibility of getting a closer look is forbidden as his mother (Vera Farmiga) doesn't allow the young boy in the closed-off back garden.

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2Page 3

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for chris-beaumont

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

Visit Chris Beaumont's author pageChris Beaumont's Blog

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own
  • No image found

Article comments

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for May 28, 2012

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for April

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs