This movie is worthwhile and beyond entertaining... I
ts a movie with a strong message. A reminder of the Holacaust is needed today, especially when we hear reports of Holacaust deniers from dangerous sources. The dangers of forgetting or denying the Holacaust are real and carry potentially serious consequences.“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” humanizes the Holacaust by helping the audience see it through the eyes of two young boys. The movie engages the viewer by telling the story of these two boys
relationship... each one on opposite sides of the Holacaust. I will not spoil the ending, but I will say that there was complete silence in the theater when the movie ended and as each of us left the theater.This movie drives home its message of the tragedy of the Holacaust and does so in a way that personalizes something that happened on such an astronomical scale.As a Christian, I need to add that many Christians also died From Nazi persecution, and many Christians died to liberate the world from such evil. The world today is now facing another evil that is threatening Jews and Christians alike. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” is a timely reminder that evil exists and should never be taken lightly... Lest we forget the lessons from the history of the Holacaust.I highly recommend this movie. Go and see it as a family, church group (Sunday School, Bible Study, Youth Group), or with friends. My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5—Neil, age 45
Positive - This is an incredibly moving story that you will be drawn into. Nothing to offend anyone as far as sex or language. My husband and mother-in-law also went and we were all raving about the film and very touched by it. While not a Christian film, in it you will see grace, the folly of looking the other way and justifying sin, the pull of peer pressure, the struggle to do the right thing and pride's downfall. The acting from everyone and scenery were outstanding. You will leave the theater talking about it. Highly recommended—you won't be sorry you went.My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5—Elaine B, age 50
Positive - I left this movie feeling very introspective. I was not depressed or sad after viewing this film. Just thoughtful. The possibility of something like the murder of humankind is simply unthinkable. Yet it happened.As the movie unfolds, we see the horrors of what was happening at 'the farm'. We see the terror on the wife's face as she comes to grips with her husband's occupation. She discovers that he is a monster.The 8 year old boy has no clue why the 'farm' exists or why the other little boy in the striped pajamas is behind an electric fence.The movie is exceptional, thought provoking, and very worthy of viewing. I believe it is acceptable for 10 year olds and up. We will purchase this movie when it comes out on DVD.My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5—Marini Shull, age 51
Positive - The Scottish author of “Ivanhoe,” Sir Walter Scott, wrote “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!”This quote, along with others from the book of Proverbs, proves all too real in this amazing film. As is often the case, I won't be able to add much to the above “Spotlight” review, as it was very thorough, well done and I agree with it. I saw this on a very rainy Saturday morning which probably added to the serious, yet innocent mood of this film. As usual, the BBC puts out some amazing work and the colors, sounds and pace of this film could not have been better. The boy, Bruno, was portrayed so convincingly and his mother, played by Vera Farmiga, was so well done.Incidentally, Vera reminded me so much of Nelly Ward-Griesen of 2nd Chapter of Acts (remember her?) I do hope no spoilers will be seen on these reviews, as the ending is somewhat unexpected, at least it was for me. This is a must-see, fact-based lesson we all must learn. I have been a student of history for 25 years and have focused much attention on the 20th century world wars, especially the twenty years of Nazi occupied Europe. In the 80's I was stationed for 2 years in the birthplace of Nazism, Munich, living just a few metro stops from Hitler's apartment on Prinzregetenstrasse.
The infamous Dachau concentration camp and Bad Tolz SS training facilities were also nearby. The film shows how Nazism, or any man-made political and racial philosphy, when carried to its logical conclusion, brings only death, denial, suffering and hopelessness. The Nazi's believed their Third Reich would last at least one thousand years—it lasted barely twelve.
This film should be shown in high schools and maybe upper middle schools, too. Again, I highly recommend this film.My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4.5—Richard, age 42
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