Beautifully done! It made me cry twice.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas gives a new perspective from which to examine the Holocaust. While somebody might think that it sympathizes with Nazi Germany, it instead shows how easily mankind can justify such horrible violence. Like the two innocent and young main characters, we begin to wonder why humans hurt one another. The last 5 minutes are the saddest moments of a film I have ever seen, but they are powerful and thought-provoking and really help bring back to light the devastation that the war brought to an entire people. For many of us who have heard lecture after lecture about the Holocaust in history class, this movie will help it all click... and probably make you cry in the process.… Expand

I thought the movie was wonderful. A poignant tale involving the bigotry of the adults and the innocence of the children. The ending was heart wrenching but necessary for the punch!

This movie made me cry, it was just so damn sad, how bad those **** Nazis treated those poor, innocent Jews. I know that's what it was like in World War II, this movie made me cry over and over again

Beautifully made and acted. The story is a bit familiar and it's pretty easy to see where the film is going. Still, it's very poignant. Excellent cinematography. It's a fine film overall.

Very goood movie, really sad and kept me really interested through out the hole movie.

It was a harsh ending, but well done. The actors were incredible.

The movie builds slowly but effectively to one of the more gripping 15 minutes of film I've seen. There are certain conceits: how poorly guarded is the camp's perimeter, primarily; also, how no one misses little Bruno during his visits, though seemingly so closely watching him. The ending leaves mixed emotion. The father's "punishment," but at such a price.

Awful, awful, awful. I'm not heartless. Parts of it are touching of course, but it's terribly done. It's like Shindler's List for kids, expect I'd never show it to kids (and I'm a teacher).

This film should not have been made. Although it's intentions were good, the end result was not good.

Gripping drama. Outstanding.

I can see why the NY Times called it "kitsched up," but I think some of the reviews are overly harsh. If I had a teenage child I would take them to see this as part of a broader discussion of the Holocaust.

This was the best film I've seen this year, for acting, cinematography and content. Very powerful.

Viewed from any angle, this is an excellent film with an ending as devastating as you're ever likely to see.

Excellent movie. Well written and well acted. Completely envelopes you in the story until it's too late. Serves as a reminder to not forget the holocaust and makes you wonder if other Germans felt as the mother did.

World War II, Boy's Father gets promotion, family move from Berlin to the country, misses friends, meets a boy on a "farm", becomes friends. Great film which is enjoyable, powerful & upsetting. Very good acting throughout (Asa Butterfield is very impressive) & although you know what is going to happen, it's still quite shocking.

I admit I only saw this movie on DVD...and am really embarrassed. When it's all good intentions, but deeply unhistorical, you probably have to call it a kitsch feast. But then again, given the earnest and sensitive subject. I'd rather call it stupid and obscene. Nazi officials during the war, dancing to English swing music...had always thought that members of the illegal "swing youth" were imprisoned and persecuted. A Nazi family praying in public! A Jewish boy playing by the fence, when in all the camps, approaching the fence meant being shot. No fairy tales about the holocaust, please.… Expand

The movie was ok. It didn't exactly grab my full attention and I read the book before watching the movie and I prefer the book rather than the movie.

“We're not supposed to be friends, you and me. We're meant to be enemies. Did you know that?â€� Bruno, the son of a Nazi commandant, is made to move house on account of his father’s new promotion. On arrival at his new residence Bruno spots a mysterious farm behind his house which sparks his curiosity. Unable to resist the urge, Bruno sets out to explore and relieve his boredom. Vera Farmiga steals the show as Bruno’s mother Elsa. Her struggle to come to come to grips with her husband’s new role is heart-breaking and authentic. Some of the issues are confronting but handled with dignity by Director, Mark Herman. The film draws on emotion more than anything. The cast have a great chemistry and it’s this part of the film that will attract you the most. Direction: 10/10 (Mark Herman’s unravelling of the story is delicately done) Cinematography: 10/10 (Benoit Delhomme achieves some elegantly vibrant tones and movement) Editing: 10/10 (Michael Ellis transports the audience into the child’s world with ease) Acting: 9/10 (Vera Farmiga is simply captivating in her role as Elsa) Dialogue: 7/10 (Riveting performances aided where the screenplay lacked) Sound: 8/10 (There’s a rawness that feels like it’s missing from some of the outdoor scenes) Effects: 8/10 (Some safe decisions and nothing is exaggerated) Art Direction: 7/10 (Although some sets look too prettied up, the overall feel is quite appealing) Costumes: 8/10 (Some well detailed uniforms bring authoritativeness to the soldiers) Music and/or Score: 10/10 (Beautiful piano medleys merge beautifully into the film) Total Score: 87/100 Many films have been made on the pivotal subject of this film. Most use the pain and suffering as a tool to make a strong point but this film never gives up on its true meaning – friendship and innocence.… Expand

Beautiful and scary, at the same time. Actually, only for the fact of making films about fictional events in 2nd War became something cult. Even up to quite tiring. But what to say about this production in particular, among many others of the genre? First, it's curious that a film based on a book has only 90 minutes long. But this is not something that points the lack of content or material. On the contrary. There are movies that can perfectly flush this out and just The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas achieves that success. The film primarily deals with the innocence of a child, and this can be modeled as negatively in the wrong hands. And the narrative axis has support precisely in fraternal relationship between the boys, both in extremely opposite but at the same time demonstrating profound ignorance of everything that is happening. And of course, not unworthy of the supporting cast, which is a rather considerable, as can be seen with the judel Pavel, showing fear and constant insecurity. We have one final daring by today's standards, but that is precisely what generates all the impact on the viewer (yes, all), so that a passing sensation of pain, both physical and mental. Even though it is fictional, it does point out all the humiliation and brutality that millions of Jews suffered.… Expand

I haven't read the book so i cannot compare the two however I found the film was an excellent look at the holocaust from the eyes of a child. For me the main let down in film was the ever so posh English accents on most of the cast in particular the "German" family and I think if the movie had been filmed in German with English subtitles it could have become a classic.

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I find the ending disgustingly manipulative, and soils the rest of the film, which otherwise is a decent yet unmemorable experience. Are we meant to be sad that a non-Jew kid has accidentally been taken to extermination with the Jews? The idea that THAT is the reason people love/cry at this movie sickens me. It's ok that the thousands of Jews at that camp were incinerated? but one little non-jew kid gets killed too and suddenly we have a tragedy?… Expand