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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Play trailer Poster for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas PG-13 2008 1h 34m Drama History Play Trailer Watchlist
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65% Tomatometer 144 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
During World War II, 8-year-old Bruno (Asa Butterfield) and his family leave Berlin to take up residence near the concentration camp where his father (David Thewlis) has just become commandant. Unhappy and lonely, he wanders out behind his house one day and finds Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), a Jewish boy of his age. Though the barbed-wire fence of the camp separates them, the boys begin a forbidden friendship, oblivious to the real nature of their surroundings.
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

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Critics Consensus

A touching and haunting family film that deals with the Holocaust in an arresting and unusual manner, and packs a brutal final punch of a twist.

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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide The Times (UK) 11/04/2022
A child’s-eye view of the Holocaust, this family film is likely to trigger big questions from younger viewers. Go to Full Review Hank Sartin Time Out 11/17/2011
3/5
[Director] Mark Herman knows how to milk the melodrama from every scene, but viewers may feel a little icky about the experience. Go to Full Review Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald 05/01/2009
3.5/5
We are left in no doubt about the brutality of what's going on there but it's almost entirely off-screen. Still, the film is terribly confronting. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 03/07/2024
3/4
[The film] touches on important questions about the costs of human life and the dangers of hatred in a stirring, heart-wrenching tale. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/19/2022
4/5
“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” asks several powerful questions about war, family, and morality. It also gives us a glimpse into a part of our world’s history that is still hard to look at but should be reckoned with. Go to Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse 01/31/2021
3/5
A valiant attempt to tell a small scale story about an unimaginably huge period in our history, and while it may drag in places, it has its heart in the right place and a devastating ending that will take your breath away. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ren Y @HeronR3n Jan 7 It's clear that this movie does indeed end with a sad ending for the start. Aside from it being focused on the holocaust and the horrible conditions the victims were subjected upon, the historical accuracy is to say the least, far from accurate. I'm not so sure how Bruno went through the fence without getting electrocuted or how there was barely any guards around, because how did they not get caught? But that's just my opinion. It's not the best on accuracy but it does give an idea on severe actions during the holocaust See more Anna L @AnnaL Dec 26 I loved this movie. It puts you on the other side, what you do to other people and it eventually can happen to you. See more T85 J Dec 5 It makes sure you fall into tears (aslong you're not antisemitic). Making characters you empathize with, a well developed story and a dark atmosphere. The only reason I don't give 5 Stars is simply the one I generally am not the type of sad movies. See more Bronson K. @Bmantomatoes Oct 3 Wonderful film, this film is great though the end can be very sad. See more L S @LS253 Aug 6 Absolute low level tripe. Not one bit fo this film is any good. From the acting, the atrociously written script to the woefully underdeveloped story. It was a painful watch, for all the wrong reasons. See more Reese R Jul 27 This is unlike any other holocaust film I’ve ever seen. Very unique story and realistic in spite of being fiction. I was crying at the end with a fresh reminder of how sadistic the gas chambers were and that so many Jewish people were murdered in them. See more Read all reviews
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

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Cast & Crew

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Mark Herman

Director

David Thewlis

Father

Vera Farmiga

Elsa

Rupert Friend

Lieutenant Kotler

Asa Butterfield

Bruno

Jack Scanlon

Shmuel

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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During World War II, 8-year-old Bruno (Asa Butterfield) and his family leave Berlin to take up residence near the concentration camp where his father (David Thewlis) has just become commandant. Unhappy and lonely, he wanders out behind his house one day and finds Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), a Jewish boy of his age. Though the barbed-wire fence of the camp separates them, the boys begin a forbidden friendship, oblivious to the real nature of their surroundings.
Director
Mark Herman
Producer
David Heyman
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Heyday Films, BBC Films, Miramax Films
Rating
PG-13 (Some Mature Thematic Material|Involving the Holocaust)
Genre
Drama, History
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 7, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 15, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$9.0M
Runtime
1h 34m
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