IMDb > The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008)
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 10 | slideshow) Videos (see all 39 NEW)
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) -- This is the theatrical trailer for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, directed by Mark Herman.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) -- Clip: Stealing food, post
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) -- Behind the scenes: From the novel, post
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) -- Interview: Vera Farmiga "On her character"
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) -- Trailer #1

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   15,208 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Mark Herman
Writers:
John Boyne (novel)
Mark Herman (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 November 2008 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Thriller | War more
Tagline:
A timeless story of innocence lost and humanity found. more
Plot:
Set during World War II, a story seen through the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a concentration camp, whose forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and unexpected consequences. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
2 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(35 articles)
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User Comments:
All things truly wicked start from an innocence-Ernest Hemingway more (202 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Asa Butterfield ... Bruno
Zac Mattoon O'Brien ... Leon (as Zac Mattoon-O'Brien)
Domonkos Németh ... Martin
Henry Kingsmill ... Karl

Vera Farmiga ... Mother
Cara Horgan ... Maria
Zsuzsa Holl ... Berlin Cook
Amber Beattie ... Gretel
László Áron ... Lars

David Thewlis ... Father
Richard Johnson ... Grandpa
Sheila Hancock ... Grandma
Charlie Baker ... Palm Court Singer
Iván Verebély ... Meinberg
Béla Fesztbaum ... Schultz
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (USA)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some mature thematic material involving the Holocaust.
Runtime:
94 min | Israel:93 min
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Filming Locations:
Budapest, Hungary more
Company:
BBC Films more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In regards to shooting the final scene, director Mark Herman remarked "it was a nightmare on many levels. We probably had more lawyers than filmmakers. We had all of the legalities of kids in amongst grown-up naked people." more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: The Germans were using a Shure 55SH in one scene, an iconic American microphone. They would have used Sennheiser or Neumann microphones. They were very proud of their engineering, and pioneered early audio recording technology which is still sought after by collectors and studios. more
Quotes:
[about Gretel's reading from their tutor of popaganda about "the Jew"]
Bruno: I don't understand. One man caused all this trouble?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Friendship Beyond the Fence (2009) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Orchids and Roses more

FAQ

How do Bruno and Shmuel meet?
How closely does the movie follow the book?
Why is it spelled "pyjamas" and not "pajamas"?
more
53 out of 55 people found the following comment useful.
All things truly wicked start from an innocence-Ernest Hemingway, 29 November 2008
9/10
Author: Kristine (kristinedrama14@msn.com) from Chicago, Illinois

I was so excited my theater got The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, from the moment I saw this trailer, I knew I was in for a treat. This movie just looked incredible, even though it's a touchy subject with the holocaust, it still looked like it was going to be a great story. Everyone always makes a comment about the innocence of childhood, what it was like to just not have reason, to just go with the flow of things before adults tell you what you have to do. So I watched The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas today and this movie seriously is one of the saddest films I have ever seen, but I felt it was very maturely handled. The actors are great and the story is very touching, to watch these two boys from two completely different worlds who come together just to have fun, be boys, not because of the difference of their background.

Set during World War II, a story seen through the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a concentration camp, whose forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence. The boys have a great friendship talking every day, enjoying the company. But when the father gives Bruno a Nazi propaganda loving tutor, Bruno becomes confused, is his father an evil man or is his friend the evil one? Love his country and do his duty or don't judge and just stay true to his friend? Bruno must decide all this with some scary consequences ahead of him.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a fantastic film, though if you see it, I do recommend bringing the tissues. I couldn't believe the chemistry they had with these two young actors, they worked so well together as these innocent boys who both have no idea what's going on. Bruno doesn't know why his friend is behind fences, and his friend doesn't know why he's there either. The ending is extremely powerful and the story keeps you interested. I do recommend seeing The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, it's a treasure from 2008.

9/10

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I actually cried at this film - in an English lesson! liam-austen
Dolls in the cellar arsenalfan2002-1
Am I The Only Person Who Didnt Enjoy It? x-neecy_boo-x
For young people who are asking questions villagevicarage
Theory that Schmuel did not exist... klc-x
Mistake - anyone notice the hut being built cobalt_blueuk
more

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