Latest news with #TheBoyInTheStripedPyjamas
Daily Record
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Amazon Prime viewers 'in tears' after watching 'devastating' war film
The war film still has people talking years after its release Over 15 years since its release, the film continues to haunt audiences, with many describing it as "absolutely devastating". Asa Butterfield delivers a poignant performance as an eight year old boy in The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, a film set amidst the terror of World War II. Adapted from John Boyne's novel, the narrative unfolds within Nazi-occupied Poland and confronts viewers with a deeply moving plot that often reduces them to tears. A critic on Rotten Tomatoes reflected: "Such a heartbreaking story about love, friendship, and the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust. Other than Schindler's List, I've never sobbed so hard in my life." The 2008 film features the actor known for Netflix's Sex Education as young Bruno, whose life is uprooted when his father, an SS officer, gets a promotion that necessitates a move to Poland. During one of his explorations, Bruno discovers what he thinks is a farm behind his house, which is actually a concentration camp, leading his mother to forbid him from playing there. Defying his mother's orders, Bruno ventures into the woods where he encounters a barbed wire fence encircling the camp. On the other side, he meets Smuel, a boy his own age, sparking an unlikely friendship, reports the Express. Bruno starts visiting Smuel regularly, bringing him food across the fence, and soon realises that his new friend is a Jewish child who was taken to the camp along with his parents. A review gushes: "This movie had me in tears after knowing the plot of it. It breaks my heart seeing the plot twist of the story. "Seeing that Bruno was sorry and wanted to help Shmuel but ended up in a twisted fate, it awfully does break my heart. I'd definitely say this is a must watch movie if you badly want to cry." Another viewer commented: "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a masterpiece. Highly absorbing and moving film. It makes me cry every time I watch it. Absolutely love it. One of my all-time favourites. It is one of those movies that goes straight to the heart." However, since its premiere, numerous critics have condemned the film for its historical depiction, suggesting it could inadvertently foster sympathy for Holocaust perpetrators. A critical review states: "The story is exactly what comes out when a daydreaming, ignorant filmmaker tries to invent a cliché Holocaust drama in his own Hollywood bubble." It is important to recognise the significant role both the children's novel and the cinematic version have played in educating young people about the Holocaust. Holocaust education expert Michael Grey notes with interest that over three-quarters of British students (aged 13-14) engage more deeply with The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas compared to The Diary of Anne Frank. For those who are ready for an emotionally-charged viewing experience, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas can be streamed on Amazon Prime.
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
War film breaks viewers hearts - 'I've never sobbed so hard in my life'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Over 15 years since its release, audiences are finding it hard to let go of The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, as they continue to label the film "absolutely devastating". Asa Butterfield delivers a stirring performance as an eight-year-old boy in The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, unfolding amidst the terrors of the Second World War. Adapted from John Boyne's novel, the drama is fiercely set within the confines of Nazi-invaded Poland and dares to present an emotionally charged narrative that reduces viewers to tears. One Rotten Tomatoes critic expressed: "Such a heartbreaking story about love, friendship, and the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust. Other than Schindler's List, I've never sobbed so hard in my life." Launched onto screens in 2008, the cinematic piece stars the actor well-known from Netflix's Sex Education as young Bruno, whose father's an SS officer whose new post requires the family to relocate to Poland. On a day filled with curiosity, Bruno encounters a concentration camp, which he naively assumes is a farm beyond his back garden; a place his mother strictly prohibits him from visiting. In a bout of defiance, Bruno slinks into the forest where he confronts a barbed wire fence enclosing the camp. At this border, he befriends Smuel, another youngster of his age, sparking a clandestine camaraderie, reports the Express. Day after day, Bruno sneaks away to see Smuel across the fence, gifting him bits of food. Eventually, Bruno comes to realise that his newfound chum is Jewish, having been brought to the camp with his parents. A review says: "This movie had me in tears after knowing the plot of it. It breaks my heart seeing the plot twist of the story. Seeing that Bruno was sorry and wanted to help Shmuel but ended up in a twisted fate, it awfully does break my heart. I'd definitely say this is a must watch movie if you badly want to cry." Another viewer remarked: "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a masterpiece. Highly absorbing and moving film. It makes me cry every time I watch it. Absolutely love it. One of my all-time favourites. It is one of those movies that goes straight to the heart." Nonetheless, amidst praises, the film has not been without its detractors who criticise its historical portrayal. A critique reads: "The story is exactly what comes out when a daydreaming, ignorant filmmaker tries to invent a cliché Holocaust drama in his own Hollywood bubble." It's important to acknowledge the significant role the children's novel and subsequent film adaptation have played in Holocaust education for youngsters. Holocaust educator Michael Grey notes that well over half of British Year 9 students (ages 13-14) engage more deeply with The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas than The Diary of Anne Frank. For those bracing themselves for an emotional cinema experience, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.
