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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Play trailer Poster for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas PG-13 Released Nov 7, 2008 1h 34m Drama History Play Trailer Watchlist
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65% Tomatometer 145 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 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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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Garrett B A sad drama that you should probably see only once, but very good film nonetheless Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/29/24 Full Review Brad H As a fictional story, this movie is amazing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/28/24 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

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Cast & Crew

The Book Thief 50% 73% The Book Thief Watchlist Miral 19% 54% Miral Watchlist Walking With the Enemy 46% 59% Walking With the Enemy Watchlist The Other Boleyn Girl 43% 62% The Other Boleyn Girl Watchlist Frantz 91% 85% Frantz Watchlist TRAILER for Frantz Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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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