THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS * (Chicago International Film Festival Chicago Illinois USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating—4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas explores World War II concentration camps from the perspective of two eight-year-old boys, one, Jewish, inside the fence, and one, German, outside the fence. The camera scenes explore the workings inside a German family’s household when the father manages concentration camp kilns as a part of his assigned duties.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Eight-year-old Bruno (Asa Butterfield) seeks companionship and discovers another eight-year-old boy, Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), behind a wire fence not far from his home. The boys spend time playing through the fence.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mark Herman for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Mark Herman and Christine Langan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Leon (Zac Mattoon O’Brien), Martin (Domonkos Németh), Karl (Henry Kingsmill), Mother (Vera Farmiga), Maria (Cara Horgan), Berlin Cook (Zsuzsa Holl), Gretel (Amber Beattie), Lars (László Áron), Father (David Thewlis), Grandpa (Richard Johnson), Grandma (Sheila Hancock), Palm Court Singer (Charlie Baker), Meinberg (Iván Verebély), and Schultz (Béla Festzbaum).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is a film not to be missed. The story needs to be rehearsed so that we do not fail to show the compassion necessary to prevent repetitive negative behavior that allows this conduct against humans.

Also known as: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers