Iffy for 13+
Holocaust drama sensitive, but never sentimental.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this intense World War II-set drama follows a young boy whose father, a German officer, has moved the entire family close to his new assignment -- running a death camp dedicated to the mass extermination and murder of Jewish prisoners. The boy befriends a prisoner on the other side of the wire even as his teachers and parents explain to him about how "the Jew" is the enemy. Given the subject matter, the film -- which culminates in a room full of people being killed with poison gas -- could be difficult to watch for viewers of any age. There's also some drinking and smoking and concentration camp violence.
- Families can talk about what teens know about the Holocaust. What upset them in the movie? Why?
- Ask your kids whether they think people can be good and evil at thesame time. Then you can go into the discussion of how the Holocaust waskept secret. Was it actually hidden, or did people know and simply lookthe other way?
- Families can also discuss what keeps drawing filmmakersand audiences to this subject material.
The good stuff
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Messages: Extensive discussion of the German attitude toward and treatment of Jewish prisoners during World War II, including deliberate, dehumanizing language. Discussion of anti-Semitic philosophies and ideas. Discussions of duty to one's country and race.
What to watch for
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Violence: Guards brandish guns; prisoners are threatened with guns, clubs, and dogs. A beating is administered off screen. Discussion of a supporting character dying during an English bombing raid. The mechanisms of mass extermination are seen in action, including a sensitively shot yet still devastating sequence in which a room crammed with concentration-camp prisoners is gassed.
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Sex: Affection between a long-married couple; non-sexual, waist-up male nudity as concentration camp prisoners strip for a "shower."
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Language: One non-sexual use of "f---ing" extensive use of "Jew" as an epithet.
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Consumerism: A Mercedes logo is visible on the hood of a car.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters drink hard liquor, champagne, and wine and smoke cigarettes and cigars (accurate for the time period).
Fan Reviews provided by
5
A well done history lesson by Older View
The majority of this movie is spent developing familial relationships and the relationship of a young German boy with a young Jewish boy in a concentration camp. It is for the most part devoid of terrifying images, but it manages to convey the method and horror of the holocaust. It is a must see regardless of personal religion. It more than adequately portrays man's inhumanity to man.
5
Important Must See by William Kent
Although some critics disapproved of this fictionalized account of the holocaust set around a Nazi family, seeing it as the holocaust turned into "entertainment," such criticisms miss the point. The movie is not "entertainment," although it is so well done that your attention is riveted throughout. Instead, it is a surrealistic memorial to the horror of the holocaust, in particular the murder of Jewish children, and a reminder that this must never be allowed to happen again. If you are considering seeing this movie, please do.
Do not be held back by any criticism you may have read or by your own reluctance to see a movie that you think will depress you. Certainly the movie involves something that is so horrible that it is beyond comprehension that human beings could have done. But it is not depressing. American culture tries to tell us that we can and should insulate ourselves from suffering, but this is a delusion that only keeps us from understanding life.
5
Great Movie!! by daddyduke
Great Movie! Stunning in it's simplicity and message. One of those where you just have to stare at the screen at the end for a few minutes to fully absorb how good it was.
5
An unbelieveable story by fnaves74
I was very anxious to see this movie, as I have always been very interested in Holocaust features (Schindler's List is my preferred movie of all times), but nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of this movie. Like other reviewers, no one in the theater moved once the movie was over. It is a sad but true story of this horrific time in history, now seen in the eyes of a child that simply cannot understand why everyone is saying bad things about this very good Jewish friend. It certainly makes you think a lot about life.
5
Captivating by rjduran
This film leaves you speechless at the end people in the theatre could not even leave, they just sat there for a few minutes then got up and silently left. The emotion is spell binding, anyone over 13 years of age should see this film it will leave with a sense of never wanting this to happen to any human ever again and yet knowing that it could.
5
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by 1onestop
WOW! What a powerful, yet sad movie! It makes you think about how we judge other people in life and dehumanize them. I think everyone should see this movie to remind us all that we are ALL people, skin, bones and beating heart with feelings.
Although I think everyone should go to see it at the theater and support good movies at the cinemas, it is a movie that will have impact via DVD rentals too.
If everyone could get the message of this movie and take it to heart as their personal Christmas gift what an awesome world this would be!
5
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by cindy55
This movie was gripping from the beginning. The acting is superb, award winning. The last few minutes just simply tear at your heart. Have tissues ready for yourself and those sitting with you. It isn't a war movie, it's a story of humanity.
5
Awesome Movie! by mookie73
There are few movies that you see in a lifetime that when it is over you find it difficult to leave the theater. This is a must see and I personally believe that every college student should see it as a history lesson. Very well done and it will be a definite buy on DVD.
5
The boy in the Striped Pajamas by sandy52rn
This movie was amazing. It kept your interest - but the theme is dark and very sad. The ending didn't leave me crying, only a feeling of sadness and disbelief that people actually commiteed such violent and unprovoced actions agains a nation/religion as the Jew. You see the drama unfold through the eyes of a child - It is a must see for those 16 years or older - least we forget how easy it can be to hate.
5
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by andreyb
I must warn you, this movie is not a usual entertainment that goes well with popcorn. It will likely make you cry and most definitely will make you remember. And that is why you should go and see this tragic, beautiful, and thoughtful film. The story is made from the contrasts and juxtaposition - true/lies, light scratch/severe beating, life/death, free/trapped and at the end both worlds merge and tragically so. The acting is wonderful and touching. Both boys are amazing and will steal your hearts.
This is movie is the best film I've seen in 2008 and easily in the the top list of movies about Holocaust.