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Heinrich.
Where is the boy?
He died.
What do you mean?
On the way here.
They had to bury him by the tracks.
They promised us two children, with two allowances.
Rosa, you cannot blame the boy for dying.
ROSA: No, I blame his mother.
Dragging them across the country unfed, unwashed!
HANS: She was running for her life.
Have you seen that girl?
Filthy.
Everything they say about communists is true. Dirty and stupid.
(SHUSHING) I'll speak as loud as I want.
Come.
Come!
What is the matter with her?
Your Majesty.
What are you brats looking at?
This is Heaven Street, your new home.
Hey, lover boy! Can we get on with the game now?
Please, go in.
Well, go on.
What do you say?
They have given us a mute.
Go upstairs.
Where is it?
That one.
Come on.
You are?
Frau Hubermann's new daughter.
I was not addressing you, Steiner.
Girl, speak.
Liesel Meminger.
Chalk, board, name.
Come, girl. We don't have all day.
Write it.
Silence.
Silence!
Great.
I'd like to meet her.
What are you doing now?
Racing you.
I'll bet you a kiss I can beat you.
Why would I want to kiss you?
I don't know. What does that matter?
I'm the one who's going to win.
Just to the end of the street.
And what if I win?
You don't have to kiss me.
Ever?
What do you care?
You're not sticking around, right?
Hey! Saumensch!
You cheated.
So what?
I beat you. Did not.
It was a draw.
Draw means I get the kiss.
You can stick your kiss.
Oh, my God.
She's going to kill you.
Who?
If you think that I am some kind of pushover...
you are very much mistaken.
Do you hear?
I have just come to say good night.
What is this?
Is it yours?
Why would a nice girl like you want to read such a thing?
Are you sure this is yours?
It wasn't always mine.
It belonged to my brother.
I see.
Your brother...
his name was Pieter Strauss?
Do you know what this says?
Do you want to know what it says?
I'm not such a good reader myself, you know.
We will have to help each other out.
Ja?
We better get started.
"The Gravedigger's Handbook."
Raise the red flags for German effort
we want to pave the way to freedom
For German effort
we want to pave the way to freedom
We do not create a brother pact
with Jews or non-Germanics
Because they falsify the liberty certificate
of Germany's people
"career... Mmm.
"In the funeral...
"Business."
"Funeral business."
We made it. Your first book.
Congratulations.
So, promise me one thing, Liesel.
If I die anytime soon, make sure they bury me right.
Ja? Ja.
No skipping chapter six.
Can we start again?
Tomorrow.
But it is tomorrow.
You sleep now.
His name was Werner.
Come. I have a surprise for you.
It's very dark here.
We had better turn on the light.
It's a dictionary.
Some of the words we have learned.
Add as many as you like.
It's yours.
Thank you, Papa.
What is this?
Ow!
You want to remain a member? Teach your son!
Why?
Why Jesse Owens?
Why?
He's the fastest man on earth.
(SCOFFS) The fastest man on earth!
The boy is crazy.
RUDY: Ow! That hurts. ALEX: Sit still, Rudy.
It's even in his earholes.
Barbra...
Fine, you deal with him.
Son...
you can't go around painting yourself black, you hear?
Why not?
Because you shouldn't want to be black people.
Why?
Because I say so. Ja?
LIESEL: "Dear Mama, today is the Fuhrer's birthday.
"I wish it was mine.
"Maybe then you could come and see me.
"I miss you all daylong.
"Sometimes, I think I see you in the street.
"But it's never you.
"My new mama is like a thunderstorm. Always rumbling. "
Hans, where did you put the flag?
If we don't find it, it's going to look like we're saying something.
All right, all right, all right.
I'm going to look in the basement.
God in Heaven.
Liesel, I know you like it down here...
but don't you think you should be outside a bit?
I'm writing Mama a letter.
Well, that's very good.
Please tell her, from me, I could do without all the nagging.
Not that mama.
I see.
What are you telling her?
Everything.
About you und Mama und Rudy.
Can you send it for me?
Well...
You could give it to the woman who brought me here.
Frau Heinrich? Ja.
I'm sure she would do her best to pass it on.
Ah, found it.
What is she doing writing to her mother, anyway?
She's her mother.
I'm not going to waste good money...
on a stamp for a letter that's never going to be answered.
What was I to say?
Hans? Alex.
Good man. Are you ready to go?
Of course he is.
Liesel!
Come on, Liesel, we'll miss the parade.
Right.
Come on, let's go.
Liesel.
Where have you been? I said to meet me at the church.
Sorry, Papa.
Let's go now.
What is it?
Nothing.
Are you sick?
Nein. I'm fine.
Tell me, what is the matter with you?
What the hell is this?
You stole it?
Sorry, Papa.
Are you going to tell Mama?
Papa?
Did anyone see you?
I'll tell you what.
Let's make this our secret.
We'll read it like the other book.
In the basement.
Thank you, Papa.
Good, now.
We better get back before Mama worries. We don't want that.
Liesel, come.
What is it?
Liesel?
My mother isn't coming back, is she?
Is she a communist?
Who told you that? Is she?
Did the fuhrer take her away?
Then I hate the fuhrer.
Nein.
You can't say that.
Don't ever say that.
Understand?
Come.
"The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells."
Sounds good.
"Chapter one.
"The Strange Man's Arrival.
"The stranger came early in Feb..."
"February." Ah.
Good girl.
Who's that?
Papa, who is it?
Hans Hubermann? Ja.
Do you still play the accordion?
Quickly.
Papa! Liesel, go to bed!
What is this?
No. No.
Help me.
We'll put him upstairs.
Liesel, everything is fine.
Here we go.
I'll warm him some soup.
Who is he, Papa?
I have something very important to tell you, Liesel.
You must listen.
That is not my accordion.
The man who owns that accordion is this boy's father.
You stole it?
Nein.
I've been looking after it.
Did he die?
Ja.
Many years ago.
Before you were born.
I saw him die.
In a war.
You were in a war?
Ja.
His father gave up his life...
for me.
And I made a promise to the family...
if ever I could help them, I would. I gave them my word.
Now, I need you to promise me.
I need you to give me your word
that you will not tell anyone about our visitor.
Nobody. Not a soul.
Not even Rudy.
I mean it, Liesel.
Not a soul.
Understand?
Ja.
A person is only as good as their word, Liesel.
Do I have yours?
Ja, Papa.
I promise.
Did you talk to her?
Ja.
She can't tell a soul.
She knows.
Can we trust her? She's our daughter.
She's a child! Rosa.
We have no choice.
He looks like death.
He's probably forgotten what food tastes like.
What are we going to feed him on?
We barely have enough to feed ourselves!
We will make do.
Good, Saumensch.
RUDY: What's the rush?
LIESEL: I have to get home.
Race you.
I have to go inside.
What do you want? My permission?
Nein. I'm just telling you.
Fine.
See you, Saumensch.
Where have you been? You're late.
I ran as fast as I could.
And you mentioned nothing to no one?
Nein, Mama. Rosa...
Liesel! He's asleep.
Mmm.
At least someone knows how to appreciate my cooking.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Is he going to be all right?
Of course.
You're a curious girl.
I didn't mean to.
It's all right.
What is it about?
Hitler.
Are you hiding from Hitler?
Ja.
Are you a communist?
I'm a Jew.
Laundry.
Come in.
Go on.
Wait.
LIESEL: Danke schn.
So, you like books?
Come.
"The Dream Carrier."
Rudy.
I have to go.
You can come back whenever you want.
It will be here.
My God.
Is he going to die?
Shut up!
I won't have that talk in this house. Do you understand?
I haven't starved us all for the better part of two years...
just so that he could die.
It's my fault.
Why is it your fault?
It was my idea to build that snowman.
Why did we build it?
Because we had to.
You said you weren't going anywhere, Max.
You promised.
"The Invisible Man...
"by H.G. Wells."
"The stranger came early in February...
"one wintry day...
"through a biting wind and a driving snow.
"The last snowfall... "
"And none other will know of them...
"until he dies."
"The End."
Max?
"Chapter One."
Ilsa?
Don't worry.
I won't tell anybody.
You won't tell anyone what?
Hello, Steiner. Hello, Dummkopf.
What's that behind your back?
Give it to me.
LIESEL: Leave him alone!
I said, give it to me!
Give it to me!
What was that? What was it?
None of your business, Deutscher.
LIESEL: Leave him!
You're done for, Steiner.
I'm reporting you.
For what? Having a diary?
I know you're up to something.
Come on!
Come on!
What are you doing?
I know where it is! I watched it!
It's freezing, Rudy. You'll die in there.
Rudy!
Rudy?
Rudy!
Rudy?
Rudy, I can't swim!
Rudy!
Please!
I got it!
Rudy!
I thought you were...
Never mind.
Trust me now?
Ja.
Then, how about that kiss?
Come on. You're going to freeze.
Good night...
book thief.
Good night, fish.
I told Rudy.
Here, come on! I'm here!
Look!
LIESEL: What are they doing?
Checking basements. They checked my cousin's last night.
For what?
Can we get on with it now?
BOY 1: Come on!
BOY 2: Here! Pass it!
RUDY: Are you nuts?
I have to go inside.
Oh, great.
RUDY: She's hurt.
Never stopped her before.
I'm fine.
Mama! Why are you shouting?
They're coming.
Who?
They're checking basements.
Hans, come quickly!
Not a lot.
You should have taken my advice and joined the party.
Then your wife wouldn't have to break her back...
washing people's underwear to feed you.
Isn't that right, Rosa?
Ja.
What's wrong with you?
I've never heard you turn down an opportunity...
to give this one some lip.
Well...
if the Saukerl would get off his lazy backside and help...
then maybe I would have the energy
to give him all the lip that he deserves.
I'm sorry.
Mama, what is it?
It's Max, isn't it?
He said that this belongs to you.
Who said?
He woke up.
He's going to live!
Mama!
Careful.
I'm sorry if I hurt you.
I couldn't think of any other way to tell you.
I know it's silly of me. I know.
Nein, Mama, it's not.
Thank you.
Well, you'd better wipe that smile off your face.
Just go back in there...
and act like I'm the witch, you know? Ja?
Ja.
Just know that...
that I...
Go on.
Do you need a bit of help with that smile?
If I ever catch you...
doing that sort of thing again, so help me...
I will string you up by your toes.
Do you hear me, Saumensch?
Understood?
Max!
I knew you'd live.
NARRATOR: While 10,000 souls hid their heads in fear and trembled...
one Jew thanked God for the stars that blessed his eyes.
It's all I have.
I'm sorry.
I was saving it for my husband's return, but...
Thank you. Very much.
He's a Jew.
They found his birth certificate.
He's a "Lehman" with one not two.
LEHMAN: Please!
Can't he apologize?
To who?
Hitler?
Will they take him away?
I don't know.
But...
if they come and find me here...
they'll take all of you away.
No, Max.
I have to, Liesel.
I'm sorry.
But you promised.
It's for your own good.
For your family.
But you're my family.
You've kept me alive, Liesel.
Don't ever forget that.
I can't lose someone else.
I'm not lost to you, Liesel.
You'll always be able to find me in your words.
That's where I'll live on.
Max...
please.
Thank you.
Here.
It's two blankets and a pair of socks.
And a nice piece of cheese that I've been saving.
Rosa...
It's yours.
Come. Liesel.
Leave her.
Hans?
I'll get my coat.
You are Herr Steiner?
What?
I'm here to talk about your son, Rudy.
Rudy Steiner.
He lives next door.
What do you want with him?
He's been selected for elite training.
He starts in the summer.
I'm sorry, Barbra.
Hans Hubermann?
What's "conscripted"?
Look how you've grown.
I had not noticed.
I will miss you.
Everyone's leaving.
Even Rudy.
Rudy is going to be fine.
Look after your Mama, ja? She's not as strong as she makes out.
I know.
Good girl.
Papa?
Come home.
What do you think?
LIESEL: The shoes let you down.
And the face.
Coming?
Where are you going?
Isn't it obvious? I'm running away.
LIESEL: Have you thought this through?
Ja.
I don't want to die.
There. All thought through.
Rudy, where are you going to stay?
"You"? What about "we"?
I didn't think you were this serious.
What do you call this?
Packed lunch?
Is there anything in there besides your soccer ball?
I miss my dad.
I don't even know if he's alive.
I'm not ready.
I want to grow up before I die.
So did my brother.
I'm sorry.
I didn't ask for this.
Who would?
I hate Hitler.
Me, too.
I hate Hitler!
I hate Hitler!
I hate Hitler! Hitler is a monkey's ass!
Stick you, Hitler!
You're all I've got, Rudy.
Let's go home.
NARRATOR: The bombs were coming thicker now.
Gentlemen...
how is everybody?
Look at this one. They are starting to conscript grandfathers.
Hey, old man. Old man, are they your own teeth?
Liesel!
Go out!
Liesel!
You're too much like your father, you know that?
What's wrong with that?
Nothing.
Hey, Saumensch, want to play?
Nein, not today.
Then let's steal something.
I don't steal. I borrow.
Then let's go borrow Franz Deutscher's bike und get out of here.
Can't you see I'm reading?
Are you still angry with me?
For what?
Saving you.
Nein, Rudy.
You're very brave.
Papa!
You're home!
What is it, my girl?
My girl.
My girl.
It's nice to hear you play.
I can't hear properly.
I'm going to bed.
Don't stay up too late, you two.
Your mama told me what you did.
I shouldn't have.
Maybe you had to.
Rudy, nein!
Wake up, Rudy! Rudy, wake up!
Rudy, kiss me.
NARRATOR: Rudy, his soul just rolled into my arms.
In my job, I am always finding humans at their best...
and their worst.
I see their ugliness, and their beauty...
and I wonder how the same thing can be both.
Liesel!
Max!
NARRATOR: I have seen a great many things.
I've attended all the world's worst disasters...
and worked for the greatest of villains.
And I've seen the greatest wonders.
But it's still like I said it was.
No one lives forever.
When I finally came for Liesel...
I took selfish pleasure in the knowledge
that she had lived her 90 years so wisely.
By then, her stories had touched many souls.
Some of whom I came to know in passing.
Max, whose friendship lasted almost as long as Liesel.
Almost.
In her final thoughts...
she saw the long list of lives that merged with hers.
Her three children.
Her grandchildren.
Her husband.