The film adaptation of Markus Zusak’s 2007 bestselling novel is now in wide release and the trailer looked compelling enough to pull us out on a frigid December day to go to the matinee at a local theater. I am one of the few remaining passionate readers who has not read The Book Thief, and so I went into the film knowing little about the overall story. Coming into it cold I have to say that I felt the film was quite impressive.
A few talented known actors combined with a large cast of relative unknowns to present an emotional look at a chapter in our history that should never be forgotten. The Book Thief is a richly texture reminder of humanity at its worst and a glimpse of what we can be at our very best.
Downton Abbey director Brian Percival worked with a deft touch, subtly painting the picture of a small family set against the backdrop of the Holocaust. Young Liesel arrives in a small village to be adopted by a German couple, an act of attempted salvation by her communist mother. What might normally seem like an idyllic place soon pales as the cloud of the Nazi ideal settles upon the town. As the move towards purification begins, an unexpected guest arrives and Liesel’s new home is thrown into turmoil. The Book Thief examines life inside Nazi Germany through the eyes of seemingly inconsequential people and in so doing demonstrates both the power of the printed word and of the difference one life can make to lives of those around it.
If you’ve seen any film about the Holocaust you expect to come away from it humbled once again by the unjust atrocities that we can bring on one another. You wonder how one person could ever treat another that way while realizing that not only does death continue in similarly horrible ways all over the world but that it is all too easy for us to treat one another with contempt or outright hostility every day. The Book Thief is especially powerful because of what it doesn’t show as much as what it does. Early on in the film we see a book burning and that act alone churns up emotion, outrage and sadness battling for supremacy. You want to see these people resist, you want to see them defy their government. But instead they chant and cheer and toss another book on the fire. You cannot help but wonder, often throughout this movie, what would I have done? Would I have had the courage to do what some did during WWII? Would I turn my head in denial or reach out a hand to help?
Geoffry Rush and Emily Watson are the most recognizable cast members in this film and their performances are superb. They inhabit their characters and bring them to complex life. Equally impressive are the various child and adult actors that are unfamiliar to moviegoers. Not once during the film did I even think about them being actors on the screen, instead they were their characters and because of this they transport you to the past, making you care deeply about what happens to them. Kate Dowd deserves praise for her excellent casting for this film. Wow.
The Book Thief is a lovely film, if a film about the Holocaust can be described in such terms. It is beautifully filmed, expertly acted and is never heavy handed with its sentiment or its message. It champions the importance of words, of books, which is a message not lost on a book lover like me. It also champions quiet courage and the importance of small acts of bravery even in the midst of very large evil. It is a movie well worth seeing and I can only imagine that Markus Zusack’s book is even better to have inspired such an adaptation.
I only found out recently that this has been made into a film. I have read the book and was blown away by it. I gave it to my grand-daughter to read earlier in the year and she was blown away too. I’m so pleased you liked it and as soon as I find out when it’s released here I’ll be in the queue.
I hadn’t known either until about 2 weeks ago when I saw the trailer crop up online somewhere…or maybe it was even just the movie poster.
Maybe you can take your granddaughter to see the film, wouldn’t that be cool?!
Apparently it’s out here on the 31st. January. Was hoping it might be over the Christmas period. Never mind, I will make plans to do as you suggest and the two of us can go see it together. Very cool. 🙂
Yes, that is too bad it doesn’t hit at Christmas time. Being a tale with a lot of winter scenes it would be perfect for the holiday.
I’m surprised as the movie is getting both rave reviews and terrible criticism, often for the exact same points. I am surprised to see the opinions be so divisive for a film like this.
I haven’t read the book yet, either! I really want to see the film but still not playing around here. 🙁
Its certainly slow in making its way around.
I’ve reviewed this book for your R.I.P. Challenge in October, Carl. It’s one of the best books I’ve read, not only because of the story and the amazing strength of the characters (and also because Death was telling the story) but also because of the writing. I took random passages from the book and put them together in a poem-like order and I was surprised at how beautiful they sound.
When I found out the movie was coming out (this happened right before I finished the book), to be honest for a moment I considered not watching it because I felt it will not do the book justice because the book was perfect and well, it can’t get better than that.
I changed my mind since because I think Geoffrey Rush is a talented actor and I am curious to see how the movie compares with the book.
Glad to see you enjoyed it.
By all accounts it really is an amazing book and I’m happy the author got a movie deal out of it as well. As I said, I cannot speak to the faithfulness, although my wife felt they captured things well. I do know that it is a special film, they did a really nice job with it. I’ll be interested to see what you think when you see it since you’ve read the book so recently.
“The Book Thief” is not out in my area yet but I plan to see it, especially after reading your review and watching the compelling trailer. I truly hope you read the book. It’s a treasure. As was stated in an earlier comment, the narrator is “Death” which alone gives the book an unusual perspective.
I liked the way they handled the narration with this one. I need to read the book one of these days.
I’m another who hasn’t read this yet, and the film isn’t out over here yet, so I’ve yet to go. It looks good though.
I’ll be interested in your thoughts, Fence.
Suddenly, I’m hearing about the book and film everywhere – from book reviewers, film reviewers and book-into-film reviewers. But I enjoyed your review, and on the basis of same I’m going to look for both.
The importance of words and the importance of even the smallest acts of kindness and courage are among my deepest convictions. It will be nice to see them given their proper due.
Thanks Linda! I hope you get a chance to see it soon.
I’m surprised you are hearing about it so much because I am still not hearing much about it even after its release. Which is too bad as it is a film people should see.
Great review, as usual. I have neither read the book nor seen the movie, but I am sure I will get to both someday.
Thanks! I do need to read the book one of these days, by all accounts it is amazing.
“Downton Abbey director”? Oh…now I think I have to find time to see this. And for all the other powerful commendations you gave it, of course! I read the book a few years ago and can’t imagine how it would translate to the screen, so I’m pretty curious just for that as well…
I’d be curious as to how you think they did with it.
How have I not heard of this before seeing your post? I love The Book Thief, it was one of the rare books where it’s talking about something so horrible that you almost don’t want to keep reading, but the writing is so good that you can’t put it down.
I understand that it’s about as far from a typical Hollywood blockbuster as you can imagine, but I still can’t believe that I hadn’t heard of it before.
I might have to actually make a trip out to go and see a movie this weekend.
It didn’t get very much press. I’m not sure I would have known about it had I not stumbled across a mention online.
Let me know what you think of it if you do see it.
Do you think you will read the book now that you have seen the movie? I read the book a few years ago and loved it and have been nervous about it being made into a film. But I’ve seen a number of reviews now, including yours, that make me rest easy.
I just finished reading the book, it is absolutely spectacular. I can’t wait to see how the movie will measure up to it but considering everything I’ve heard I’ve got high hopes! 🙂
Sarah
You’ll have to let me know what you think of the movie now that you’ve read the book. I’m sure in some ways it will suffer by comparison, but I hope you enjoy it.