The Book Thief

PG-13

Released Nov 8, 2013

2h 7m

History

Drama

List

49%

Tomatometer

150 Reviews

73%

Audience Score

50,000+ Ratings

In 1938, young orphan Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) arrives at the home of her new foster parents, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson). When Hans, a kindly housepainter, learns that Liesel cannot read, he teaches the child the wonders of the written language. Liesel grows to love books, even rescuing one from a Nazi bonfire. Though Liesel's new family barely scrape by, their situation becomes even more precarious when they secretly shelter a Jewish boy whose father once saved Hans' life.

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Critics Consensus

A bit too safe in its handling of its Nazi Germany setting, The Book Thief counters its constraints with a respectful tone and strong performances.

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Kate Muir

Times (UK)

The film is hamstrung by the novel's structure, unsure whether to be a 12A-certificate family outing, or to luxuriate in morbid irony.

Jan 2, 2018

Full Review

Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

I'd heard reports that this film could reduce grown men to tears - but I'm guessing they were just yawning with boredom.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 4, 2014

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Tries to blend heartwarming moral observation with ill-fitting metaphysical contrivance.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 2, 2014

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The film has its respectful essence, but lacks a bit of the spirit and entertainment value.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 16, 2024

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

For two hours I was a resident on that small town German street. I cared about the characters, laughed with them, and was pierced by the tragedies they endured.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

The Book Thief mixes British actors using German accents, a few German actors, and the occasional German word, creating a playfully successful illusion of German-ness. The story is tragic and captivating at the same time. Nélisse and Rush are outstanding.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 27, 2022

Full Review

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Teddy B

It sets out to emulate 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' but fails miserably by coming off as overly romanticised and schmaltzy as well as having an ending that it uncomfortable in the opposite way to what I would guess the filmmakers intended.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

Michael D

Reminds us that we have a lot to be thankful for and how it can disappear in a dark cloud. Best depiction of what happened in Germany as the Nazis came to power and many people died on all sides.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/24/23

Full Review

Kleanthis K

This, for me, is the best movie I have ever watched in my life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/19/23

Full Review

jamal poosay destroyer

there was no plot in the movie 😿💔 they just killed off or sent a character away when it getting boring

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/23

Full Review

Alexandria R

I love this movie so much. It is a tear dropper and has some suspense. A movie that you don't want to ever stop. I've read several books about ww2 as well as several films. There nothing worse then a movie that sugar coats a story. This movie is a wonderful true story of a little Jewish girl. So go and watch the movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/16/23

Full Review

ben d

one of the worst movies I've ever seen

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/10/23

Full Review

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Brian Percival

Director

Geoffrey Rush

Hans Hubermann

Emily Watson

Rosa

Sophie Nélisse

Liesel Meminger

Nico Liersch

Rudy

Ben Schnetzer

Max Vandenburg

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Synopsis

In 1938, young orphan Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) arrives at the home of her new foster parents, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson). When Hans, a kindly housepainter, learns that Liesel cannot read, he teaches the child the wonders of the written language. Liesel grows to love books, even rescuing one from a Nazi bonfire. Though Liesel's new family barely scrape by, their situation becomes even more precarious when they secretly shelter a Jewish boy whose father once saved Hans' life.

Director: Brian Percival
Producer: Karen Rosenfelt, Ken Blancato
Screenwriter: Michael Petroni
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Sunswept Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Intense Thematic Material)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.4M
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: Dolby, SDDS

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