The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas main backdrop
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas main poster

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

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7.8/10 • 7.1K

2008-05-071h 34m

DramaWarHistory

Lines may divide us, but hope will unite us.

When his family moves from their home in Berlin to a strange new house in Poland, young Bruno befriends Shmuel, a boy who lives on the other side of the fence where everyone seems to be wearing striped pajamas. Unaware of Shmuel's fate as a Jewish prisoner or the role his own Nazi father plays in his imprisonment, Bruno embarks on a dangerous journey inside the camp's walls.

Directors
Mark Herman
Editors
Michael Ellis

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Asa Butterfield

    Asa Butterfield

    Bruno

  2. Vera Farmiga

    Vera Farmiga

    Mother

  3. David Thewlis

    David Thewlis

    Father

  4. Jack Scanlon

    Jack Scanlon

    Shmuel

  5. Amber Beattie

    Amber Beattie

    Gretel

  6. Rupert Friend

    Rupert Friend

    Lieutenant Kotler

  7. David Hayman

    David Hayman

    Pavel

  8. Sheila Hancock

    Sheila Hancock

    Grandma

  9. Richard Johnson

    Richard Johnson

    Grandpa

Reviews1

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r96sk Avatar

r96sk

Jun 11, 2024

8/10

Not convinced this is a greatly made movie, but it sure does pack a punch! 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' makes for good viewing for the majority, though that ending really is quite something - startling in fact, and that's even with me sensing it. The aforementioned is because, as well as the way the film builds in general, I'm pretty certain I watched this at high school; just not sure if it was snippets or the whole thing, the fence scenes are the only ones I vaguely recall seeing. The low acting level of the youngsters did take me out a bit, no dislike to Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon, obviously, but they aren't the best. Though they aren't helped by the dialogue for them, which doesn't feel natural at all. It's written in a way that is simply to tell the viewer about what's happening. The adult actors are great, though. Vera Farmiga stands out, though David Thewlis, Rupert Friend and David Hayman merit a mention too. All in all, it's a good film - and one that is distressingly unforgettable thanks to that one moment.

Media

  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas poster
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas poster
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas poster
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas poster
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas poster
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas poster
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas poster
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas poster
  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$12,500,000.00
Revenue
$20,416,563.00
Keywords
based on novel or booknazinationalismconcentration campworld war iigas chamberconcentration camp prisonerchildren in wartimeanxious