The film is shot through Bruno’s innocent and naive perspective, making it a powerful and haunting representation of the horrors of war and the indoctrination of children. As Bruno explores his new home, he spots a fence in the distance separating him from a group of boys who wear striped pyjamas. Intrigued but forbidden to approach the fence, Bruno continues to search for answers until he befriends one of the boys on the other side named Shmuel, a Jewish inmate of Auschwitz.
As Bruno develops a friendship with Shmuel, he begins to question the underlying darkness and cruelty of the war. The film portrays the contrast between Bruno’s life of privilege and Shmuel’s life of deprivation and oppression. The symbolism of the Holocaust is evident in the film, as it portrays the tragic dehumanization of millions of innocent people, all motivated by baseless hatred.
The film’s director, Mark Herman, did an outstanding job in bringing Boyne’s novel to life on screen. Despite the film being English, the director has maintained the authenticity of the German concentration camp, where the film was shot. The direction of the film is beautifully executed, with cinematography that is able to create a sombre, haunting tone.
The film’s cast is also worth mentioning, with Asa Butterfield as Bruno putting up a stellar performance. His portrayal of Bruno’s curiosity, naivety, and moral growth throughout the course of the film is mesmerizing. David Thewlis plays the role of Bruno’s father, and he brings out the character’s fanaticism to his job, which is central to the film’s climax. Vera Farmiga plays the role of Bruno’s mother, who is initially sympathetic, followed by a gradual shift that is indicative of the corruption of the human spirit by hatred.
The boy in the striped pyjamas also depicts the dangers of indoctrination and propaganda, as Bruno’s father is shown to be heavily influenced by the Nazi propaganda. The film shows how propaganda can be used to change people’s minds and create hatred for others, and how it can lead to tragic consequences for those who follow it. This is a relevant topic in today’s world, where social media, divisive politics, and alternative facts have contributed to widespread misinformation and in many cases, hatred.
The film’s climax is a heart-wrenching gut punch that will leave you feeling numb with grief. The film ends on an image of the concentration camp, with the sound of a train whistle in the background, symbolic of the trauma that lingers long after the events have taken place.
In summary, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a movie that should be on everyone’s must-watch list. The film is historically accurate, emotionally engaging, and its message is still relevant today. It masterfully showcases how propaganda can be used to alter individual choices and behaviour, and how it can desensitize humans to acts of brutality. The film is a grim reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust but also serves as a call to action, to prevent such inhumanity from ever occurring again.