The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

PG-13

Released Nov 7, 2008

1h 34m

Drama

History

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Popcornmeter

65%

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145 Reviews

85%

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100,000+ Ratings

During World War II, 8-year-old Bruno (Asa Butterfield) and his family leave Berlin to take up residence near the concentration camp where his father (David Thewlis) has just become commandant. Unhappy and lonely, he wanders out behind his house one day and finds Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), a Jewish boy of his age. Though the barbed-wire fence of the camp separates them, the boys begin a forbidden friendship, oblivious to the real nature of their surroundings.

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Critics Consensus

A touching and haunting family film that deals with the Holocaust in an arresting and unusual manner, and packs a brutal final punch of a twist.

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

A child’s-eye view of the Holocaust, this family film is likely to trigger big questions from younger viewers.

Nov 4, 2022

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Hank Sartin

Time Out

[Director] Mark Herman knows how to milk the melodrama from every scene, but viewers may feel a little icky about the experience.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 17, 2011

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

We are left in no doubt about the brutality of what's going on there but it's almost entirely off-screen. Still, the film is terribly confronting.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 1, 2009

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

[The film] touches on important questions about the costs of human life and the dangers of hatred in a stirring, heart-wrenching tale.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 7, 2024

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” asks several powerful questions about war, family, and morality. It also gives us a glimpse into a part of our world’s history that is still hard to look at but should be reckoned with.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 19, 2022

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

A valiant attempt to tell a small scale story about an unimaginably huge period in our history, and while it may drag in places, it has its heart in the right place and a devastating ending that will take your breath away.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 31, 2021

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Vicki O

Such a heartbreaking story about love, friendship, and the unimaginable horrors of the holocaust. Other than Schindler’s list, I’ve never sobbed so hard in my life. 💔

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

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Audience Member

This movie had me in tears after knowing the plot of it. It breaks my heart seeing the plot twist of the story. Seeing that Bruno was sorry and wanted to help Shmuel but ended up in a twisted fate, it awfully does break my heart. I'd definitely say this is a must watch movie if you badly want to cry.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

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Ian R

A reasonable film about something totally unreasonable. However, it is manipulative. The movie means well, but in the end it relies on a gimmick. It was effective as I grew to detest the Kamp commandant (David Thewlis). Vera Farmiga was okay as a downtrodden wife.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

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Koi P

A movie that I will always remember. Not graphic, but powerful. The tension is palpable. The performances of the cast are phenomenal.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/29/24

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JW S

This movie is an absolute must-see. No other film on this subject provides such a unique perspective for the viewer. It begins by immersing the audience in the adventurous world of an 8-year-old German boy and culminates in a gripping conclusion. The cinematography and screenplay are exceptional, making it a finely crafted piece of filmmaking. If you can make it through the movie without shedding a tear, you might want to have your pulse checked.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/24

Full Review

Faiz D

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a masterpiece. Highly absorbing and moving film. It makes me cry every time I watch it. Absolutely love it. One of my all-time favourites. It is one of those movies that goes straight to the heart.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

Full Review

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Mark Herman

Director

David Thewlis

Father

Vera Farmiga

Elsa

Rupert Friend

Lieutenant Kotler

Asa Butterfield

Bruno

Jack Scanlon

Shmuel

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Synopsis

During World War II, 8-year-old Bruno (Asa Butterfield) and his family leave Berlin to take up residence near the concentration camp where his father (David Thewlis) has just become commandant. Unhappy and lonely, he wanders out behind his house one day and finds Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), a Jewish boy of his age. Though the barbed-wire fence of the camp separates them, the boys begin a forbidden friendship, oblivious to the real nature of their surroundings.

Director: Mark Herman
Producer: David Heyman
Screenwriter: Mark Herman
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Heyday Films, Miramax Films, BBC Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Mature Thematic Material|Involving the Holocaust)
Genre: Drama, History
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.0M
Runtime: 1h 34m

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