In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, on DVD March 10th from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, a Nazi soldier, his wife and two children move out of Berlin to a new location in the country. No one is excited about the move, but it means a promotion for the father. The film takes place during WWII at a time when Hitler is in great power.
After moving, Bruno (As a Butterfield), the 8 year old son of the soldier decides to go exploring. He is unaware that the family has moved within a mile of a concentration camp full of Jewish prisoners. Bruno thinks it is a farm and that the people are wearing funny pajamas. He happens upon an electric fence and sees a young boy on the other side. They become friends and Bruno comes to see him almost daily. Unfortunately, the horrors of what are actually happening nearby are brought to light and an innocent move to the country becomes a horrible piece of history.
The movie is very well written, the acting is phenomenal, and it has that wonderful element in it that makes you think. It makes you feel. Any movie that can bring out the human emotion, is great work in my book. I doubt I would ever watch it again as it isn’t something pleasant, but I definitely think that anyone who doesn’t understand how horrible this part of history actually was needs to sit down and watch this eye-opening film, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.
Grade: A
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Asa Butterfield, Zac Mattoon O’Brien
Director: Mark Herman
Based on the novel by: John Boyne
Reviewed by Cara