The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas (2008) (Movies To See Before You Die - Drama / Historical)

As the title and posters of the film suggest, it’s a story of two boys who become friends despite of living in two extreme kinds of situations unknowingly. But before watching this shocking tale of innocent friendship, a viewer (especially from our part of the world) should have a basic understanding of few terms such as Nazis, Hitler, Holocaust, Gas Chambers, Concentrations Camps and more related to this horrifying part of the World History. An essential knowledge of these terms is required since the film starts with an assumption that the viewer already understands these concepts and then further leaves most of things on his individual imagination of the happenings too. So that’s the first step of watching this emotionally disturbing film revolving around the Holocaust in the Second World War.

Based on the novel by John Boyne, for few the film may not be an accurate account of the Historical facts, but then, its indeed great to watch a sympathetic perspective from the other side. Revolving around a highly imaginative plot, it may also have many loose ends in its screenplay but it’s the basic idea behind the film, which sends shivers down to your spine watching its dreadful climax. It’s a project which clearly states that the whole ugly side of our world’s society actually starts when we all become adults. Because till we are just kids below the age of 10, we don’t even know what’s good or bad or what is the avoidable evil of Life. So, if you can watch it ignoring its few arguable sequences, then it’s a film which can force us to see the mirror right in front of us holding our awful side in it.

The most appealing merit of THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS is that it superbly uses the viewer’s imagination throughout its suggestive scenes, without showing any brutality being practiced on the screen. At times you can even imagine that you have really seen something which is actually not there in front of you and that’s where the director Mark Herman becomes hugely successful in his noble mission. Interestingly, it’s a story about the Holocaust, told from a child’s point of view and both the kids have even performed better than the entire cast. Hence without revealing its real essence and suspense, I would like to recommend this flick as a must watch especially for those friends who have already seen few other movies made around this terrifying subject explaining it from a different angle.

It starts off with a John Betjeman’s quote which goes,
“Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows."
and I think that should be enough to inspire you to see THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS at the earliest.