The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

 

Director: Mark Herman

Having watched the entire film, I am sitting here, in front of the keyboard, ready to write a review but I do not know how to express my emotions. It was just too shocking, the ending was a shocker not the historical background or events. History was one of my favourite subjects at school, therefore I understood what was going on but still... From my point of view, it is a good film when you are interested in it and it does not bore you but it is a great film when you cannot wait to see the next second, minute, episode of it.

It is kinda funny how young, inexperienced children perceive and interpret the actions. Bruno was the son of the German commandant at a concentration camp. He was a very curious kid. After Bruno and his family moves to the countryside so that the father could do his job ( for the sake of Nazi Germany's prosperity and wealth), the boy finds out that there is a nearby "farm" where he might find new friends. What Bruno did not know and did not understand at that time was that this "farm" was not a traditional farm but a human farm, to be more precise -  Jewish concentration camp.

Despite prohibition, the boy manages to escape from the custody (it was forbidden to leave the house) and reaches his long expected goal - "the farm". There Bruno finds Shmuel, an eight-year-old Jewish boy, makes friends with him. Innocent Bruno does not understand why everyone at the farm wears a striped pajama and why each of them has a number. He also does not realize the danger that this friendship will cause. I do not want to steal the surprise now that is hidden at the end of the film, therefore I will not reveal what happens to Bruno. But do not worry, it will take you by surprise for sure and might even make you shed a tear.

All in all, I would really suggest seeing "The boy in the striped pajamas". I know that enough is enough (enough of calling up the dirty past) but this film is nothing like before because the story is seen through the eyes of Bruno. The boy whose curiosity brought him to hell.