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The Book Thief

Play trailer Poster for The Book Thief PG-13 2013 2h 7m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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50% Tomatometer 149 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In 1938, young orphan Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) arrives at the home of her new foster parents, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson). When Hans, a kindly housepainter, learns that Liesel cannot read, he teaches the child the wonders of the written language. Liesel grows to love books, even rescuing one from a Nazi bonfire. Though Liesel's new family barely scrape by, their situation becomes even more precarious when they secretly shelter a Jewish boy whose father once saved Hans' life.
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The Book Thief

The Book Thief

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Critics Consensus

A bit too safe in its handling of its Nazi Germany setting, The Book Thief counters its constraints with a respectful tone and strong performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Kate Muir The Times (UK) Jan 2, 2018
The film is hamstrung by the novel's structure, unsure whether to be a 12A-certificate family outing, or to luxuriate in morbid irony. Go to Full Review Larushka Ivan-Zadeh metro.co.uk Mar 4, 2014
2/5
I'd heard reports that this film could reduce grown men to tears - but I'm guessing they were just yawning with boredom. Go to Full Review Mark Kermode Observer (UK) Mar 2, 2014
2/5
Tries to blend heartwarming moral observation with ill-fitting metaphysical contrivance. Go to Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Feb 16, 2024
3/5
The film has its respectful essence, but lacks a bit of the spirit and entertainment value. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Aug 19, 2022
4.5/5
For two hours I was a resident on that small town German street. I cared about the characters, laughed with them, and was pierced by the tragedies they endured. Go to Full Review Mark Jackson Epoch Times Mar 27, 2022
3.5/5
The Book Thief mixes British actors using German accents, a few German actors, and the occasional German word, creating a playfully successful illusion of German-ness. The story is tragic and captivating at the same time. Nélisse and Rush are outstanding. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Riccardo G @IkeHarris Sep 21, 2026 Why didn’t she just use Z-Library? See more SurvivorAlways 7 @MyLife4Me79 Aug 1, 2026 The Book Thief does take place in Nazi Germany and yet it feels so light hearted and sweet most of the way through. I just love Geoffrey Rush’s character of Papa. He was my favorite. He is such a warm hug in this film. Emily Watson also just wonderful. All the actors were all really wonderful. I smiled and I sobbed and I absolutely recommend this movie. See more Todor Y @Phantom961 May 29, 2026 Good movie, i like it, but the mix of languages german and english make it seem ordinary. They should kept dialogue only on one language, in this case german. See more Ellie C @Ejtopsy82 May 18, 2026 For someone who found this book in children’s literature section of Waterstones I thought this movie did a decent enough job of at least attempting to encapsulate the novel’s magic. However I’m not sure that Spielberg himself would really have been able to recapture the book’s magic on film. The narration from Death is so vivid and evocative within the language used that pictures cannot be expected to resonate as much as the words. One particular sentence that I have never forgotten in its visceral horror and beauty was when death talks about what it will be like when he comes for us; "you’ll be caked in your own body, a scream will dribble down the air…" How would that horrifically beautiful imagery translate on film? The answer to the question is- it doesn’t. My advice would be to read the book and imagine the movie that it creates in your own mind. See more Gary R. @trader Feb 21, 2026 This movie handles wwII germany with kid gloves See more Mickey B. @Mickerdoo Jan 18, 2026 A little too slow and long. Setting and costumes were good but overall felt Hallmark at times. Sweet rebellious kindness story. See more Read all reviews
The Book Thief

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Cast & Crew

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Brian Percival

Director

Geoffrey Rush

Hans Hubermann

Emily Watson

Rosa

Sophie Nélisse

Liesel Meminger

Nico Liersch

Rudy

Ben Schnetzer

Max Vandenburg

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The Book Thief

The Book Thief (2013) The Book Thief (2013) The Book Thief (2013) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1938, young orphan Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) arrives at the home of her new foster parents, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson). When Hans, a kindly housepainter, learns that Liesel cannot read, he teaches the child the wonders of the written language. Liesel grows to love books, even rescuing one from a Nazi bonfire. Though Liesel's new family barely scrape by, their situation becomes even more precarious when they secretly shelter a Jewish boy whose father once saved Hans' life.
Director
Brian Percival
Producer
Karen Rosenfelt, Ken Blancato
Screenwriter
Michael Petroni
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Sunswept Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Some Violence|Intense Thematic Material)
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 8, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 18, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$21.4M
Runtime
2h 7m
Sound Mix
Dolby, SDDS
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