Writer/Director: Mark Herman
Starring: David Thewlish, Asa Butterfield and Vega Farmiga
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films which are as precious as David Thewlis. Since his rise to stardom in the 1980’s, Thewlis has become a beloved British icon. Whether it is magical school teachers, Nazi commanders or corrupt gangsters, Thewlis has played many strong characters. Arguably, Thewlis’ greatest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment. He is one of those special actors that has always poured his heart and soul into each and every role. Thewlis has seldom been afraid of taking risks in his career portraying strong characters which aren’t often likeable. Through his abilities to create strong heroes whom audiences can easily relate to, Thewlis has become a beloved actor which audiences value. Throughout his enduring career, Thewlis has created several unforgettable movies that are definitely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a big fan of Thewlis and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2008, Mark Herman’s film offered a beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about Nazi Germany. Packed with strong production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about WWII. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by David Thewlis, who portrayed a strong Nazi commander that guides his family through disaster. Ultimately, what makes “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust, it discusses relatable themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message regarding genocide which would resonate with everyone. A captivating historical masterpiece, there are several reasons why “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.
Set amidst the WWII, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” tells the story of hardships which a German family goes through. Asa Butterfield portrays Bruno, a curious German boy with a love for adventure. Bruno has always felt a big association with his home country during the time period of Nazi Germany. Bruno’s father (David Thewlis) is a strong Nazi commander that is dedicated to engaging in wars causing disaster. However, Bruno’s life forever changes when his father relocates the family towards a new house causing disaster. In a tragic turn of events, Bruno forms a strong friendship with a Jewish prisoner. Schmuel (Jack Scanlon) is a Jewish child that’s confined in a concentration camp causing disaster. Unaware of the tragic fate that Schmuel faces, Bruno questions if it is possible for him to form friendships during an era of warfare. As all painful odds are stacked against his favour, Bruno begins to wonder if it is possible for him to find friendships amidst an era of warfare disaster.
Mark Herman is a newcomer towards themes of the Holocaust. Before he directed “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas”, Herman hadn’t made a movie about the Holocaust before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a celebrated book about Nazi Germany, but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Herman captures a German boy embarking on a journey to discover identity in Nazi Germany. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for eyes. Inspired by Roberto Benigni’s “Life is Beautiful”, Herman uses authentic locations in Germany to capture a genocide in which life was rarely beautiful. For instance, the real-life locales of. Germany enhance the family migration scene. During this unforgettable scene, Bruno and his family migrate to a new house located near a concentration camp. One appreciates real-life locations in Auschwitz capturing the period of the Holocaust. Real-life locations are complicated to use in films. As Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” suggested, real-life German locations are suited to commemorated historical films about the genocide. Nevertheless, they work tremendously in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Herman captures the hardships that children seeking friendships during the Holocaust were often facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical point of view, the movie is extremely well-made. Inspired with Roman Polanski’s “The Pianist”, Herman uses effective sound-design to capture the lives of children in the Holocaust that face a decline. Throughout the movie, Herman uses diegetic sounds to capture lives of children affected by a genocide that’s tragic. For instance, diegetic sounds enhance the friendship scene. During this heartfelt scene, Bruno meets Schmuel for the first time forming a friendship with a child he is unaware is a Jewish prisoner. Whether it is the sound of deafening bombs exploding or Nazi commanders screaming, Herman uses a engaging diegetic sounds to capture the era of the Holocaust. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. James Horner’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that children in war often bear. Through strong production-design, Herman captures the lives of children in commemorated time periods of war which experience a decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” is a historical film that is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture lives of children affected by violence. Inspired by Alan J. Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice”, Herman expertly uses silence to capture sad genocide in which people didn’t face simple choice. For instance, silence elevates the child death scene. During this unforgettable scene, Bruno and Schmuel participate in gas chambers at the Holocaust leaving his family mourning. One appreciates silence capturing the lives of children enduring genocide violence. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As John Krasinski’s “A Quiet Place” suggested, silence elevates horror films about apocalypse. Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” demonstrated silence elevates horror movies about sharks with sharp jaws. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a strong screenplay, Herman captures German families in frightening wars which experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
David Thewlis delivers one of his best career performances as a Nazi commander. Thewlis first achieved appreciation for playing magical school professors in fantasy series. With “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas”, however, he took on his most challenging role. It isn’t simple to portray a Nazi commander facing disaster but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Thewlis has always had an aptitude for playing strong leaders in positions of power, and “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” showed his greatest strengths as an actor. With bold expressions, he captures the grief, frustration and resentment of a Nazi commander seeking to raise his family. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actors working in the film industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Thewlis, the supporting cast is also superb and worthy of recognition. Asa Butterfield is astonishing, capturing the charisma of a boy that develops a friendship with a German kid causing a dilemma. Vera Farmiga is fantastic, capturing frustration of a mother wondering why her family has to witness mass genocides causing disaster. Finally, Jack Scanlon merits appreciation. As a Jewish child prisoner, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing a genocide without joy. Unlike most films about the Holocaust, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses relatable themes including angst, identities and trauma that will resonate with everyone. Viewers are not required to be familiar with the history of the Holocaust to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message regarding the Holocaust which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” is one of those rare commemorated movies about Nazi Germany that everyone would adore.
Fans of historical dramas will definitely adore “The Boy in the Striped Pyamas” and so will movie-goers seeking heartfelt entertainment. A fantastic historical period piece, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film capturing the lives of children whose friendships are torn apart by grim genocides that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 