Film Review Assignment

Name : RIZKA NANDA

SIDN : 12110421008
Class : 6A
Subject : Literature in ELT

Film Review : The Boy in The Striped Pajamas (2008)

Lines may divide us…but hope will unite us.

Director : Mark Herman

Story by : John Boyne

Release Date : September 12, 2008

Duration : 94 minutes

Genre : Drama

Distributed by : Miramax Films

Box Office : $44.1 million

Movie's thesis / theme / purpose:
The film explores the themes of friendship, innocence, and the horrors of war through
the perspective of a young German boy named Bruno, who forms an unlikely friendship with
a Jewish boy named Shmuel while living near a concentration camp during World War II.
The film highlights the innocence of childhood and the devastating impact of prejudice,
ignorance, and the Holocaust on the lives of children. It also underscores the importance of
understanding and empathy in the face of adversity, as Bruno and Shmuel's friendship
transcends the barriers of their different backgrounds and experiences.

Explanation
"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a novel set during World War II that tells the
story of Bruno, young German boy who moves with his family to the concentration camp
Auschwitz in Poland after his father is appointed as the camp's commander. Bruno befriends
a Jewish boy named Shmuel, who lives on the other side of the concentration camp fence.
The boys form a close friendship, but Bruno remains oblivious to the reality of the camp and
the role of his father in the atrocities happening there.

The main characters in the story are Bruno, Shmuel, Bruno's father, and Bruno's sister
Gretel. The setting is the concentration camp Auschwitz in Poland. The central conflict of the
movie revolves around the unlikely friendship between Bruno and Shmuel, which is kept a
secret from Bruno's family and the rest of the camp. The story explores themes of friendship,
identity, and the devastating consequences of prejudice and discrimination.

In the opening of the movie, Bruno and his family move to the concentration camp
Auschwitz, and Bruno begins to explore the camp's grounds. He meets Shmuel, a Jewish boy
his age who lives on the other side of the fence. The boys form a close friendship, and Bruno
becomes increasingly aware of the injustices happening within the camp.

As the plot progresses, Bruno's mother obtains permission for the family to return to
Berlin. Bruno decides to have a final adventure with Shmuel by entering the camp and
helping him find his father. However, their plan goes wrong, and they are both taken to the
gas chamber and killed. Bruno's father eventually discovers what happened and is devastated,
leading to his transfer away from Auschwitz.
Analysis and Evaluation
The movie "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" directed by Mark Herman is a powerful
and thought-provoking film that explores the themes of friendship, identity, and the
devastating consequences of prejudice and discrimination. The director achieved his purpose
by creating a unique and engaging story that captures the innocence and naivety of childhood
while also highlighting the harsh realities of the Holocaust.

One of the most effective aspects of the movie is the use of interviews with Holocaust
survivors, which adds a layer of authenticity and emotional depth to the story. The visual
design of the film is also noteworthy, with the stark and bleak setting of the concentration
camp contrasting with the vibrant colors and innocence of Bruno's world. The music and
sound design are also effective in creating a sense of tension and unease, particularly in
scenes that depict the harsh realities of the camp.

The strengths of the movie include its unique perspective on the Holocaust, which
focuses on the experiences of children rather than adults. This allows the film to explore the
themes of friendship and identity in a way that is both heart-wrenching and thought-
provoking. Additionally, the performances by the cast, particularly Asa Butterfield as Bruno
and Jack Scanlon as Shmuel, are exceptional and add to the emotional impact of the film.

However, some critics argue that the movie oversimplifies the complexities of the
Holocaust and presents a sanitized and overly sentimentalized version of events.
Additionally, the film's ending has been criticized for being too predictable and lacking in
emotional depth.

In conclusion, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a powerful and thought-provoking

film that achieves its purpose by exploring the themes of friendship, identity, and the
devastating consequences of prejudice and discrimination through the unique perspective of
childhood. While the film has its strengths, it also has its weaknesses, and viewers may have
differing opinions on its effectiveness in portraying the complexities of the Holocaust.
Conclusion
The movie "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a powerful and thought-provoking
film that explores the themes of friendship, identity, and the devastating consequences of
prejudice and discrimination. The film is effective in its use of interviews, visual design,
music, and sound to create a moving and emotional experience. The strengths of the movie
include its unique perspective on the Holocaust, exceptional performances by the cast, and a
devastating ending that leaves a lasting impact. However, some weaknesses include the
oversimplification of complex themes and the manipulative and contrived nature of the story.
Overall, I would give the movie a B+ for its ability to evoke strong emotions and raise
important questions about the human condition.