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IMDbPro

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

  • 20082008
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
215K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
964
474
Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
This is the theatrical trailer for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, directed by Mark Herman.
Play trailer2:16
1 Video
35 Photos
  • Drama
  • War
Through the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a German concentration camp, a forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has ... Read allThrough the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a German concentration camp, a forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and unexpected consequences.Through the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a German concentration camp, a forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and unexpected consequences.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
215K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
964
474
  • Director
    • Mark Herman
  • Writers
    • John Boyne(novel)
    • Mark Herman(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Asa Butterfield
    • David Thewlis
    • Rupert Friend
Top credits
  • Director
    • Mark Herman
  • Writers
    • John Boyne(novel)
    • Mark Herman(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Asa Butterfield
    • David Thewlis
    • Rupert Friend
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 538User reviews
    • 144Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 7 nominations

    Videos1

    The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas: Trailer
    Trailer 2:16
    The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas: Trailer

    Photos35

    John Boyne in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    David Thewlis in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    Mark Herman in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    Asa Butterfield in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    Vera Farmiga in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    Vera Farmiga and Asa Butterfield in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    Asa Butterfield at an event for The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
    Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Asa Butterfield
    Asa Butterfield
    • Bruno
    David Thewlis
    David Thewlis
    • Father
    Rupert Friend
    Rupert Friend
    • Lieutenant Kotler
    Zac Mattoon O'Brien
    • Leon
    • (as Zac Mattoon-O'Brien)
    Domonkos Németh
    • Martin
    Henry Kingsmill
    • Karl
    Vera Farmiga
    Vera Farmiga
    • Mother
    Cara Horgan
    Cara Horgan
    • Maria
    Zsuzsa Holl
    • Berlin Cook
    Amber Beattie
    Amber Beattie
    • Gretel
    László Áron
    László Áron
    • Lars
    Richard Johnson
    Richard Johnson
    • Grandpa
    Sheila Hancock
    Sheila Hancock
    • Grandma
    Charlie Baker
    • Palm Court Singer
    Iván Verebély
    • Meinberg
    Béla Fesztbaum
    • Schultz
    Attila Egyed
    • Heinz
    David Hayman
    David Hayman
    • Pavel
    • Director
      • Mark Herman
    • Writers
      • John Boyne(novel)
      • Mark Herman(written for the screen by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Bruno's parents are named Ralf and Elsa, but in the credits of the film they are listed as "Father" and "Mother." This is a tribute to the novel, in which the narrative focuses solely on Bruno's point of view.
    • Goofs
      At the going away party in the Berlin house, the band is playing jazz music. This is highly unlikely in an SS officer's home, circa 1942 as the Nazis has prohibited Jazz music in the 1930s.
    • Quotes

      Shmuel: I wish you'd remembered the chocolate.

      Bruno: Yes, I'm sorry. I know! Perhaps you can come and have supper with us sometime.

      Shmuel: I can't, can I? Because of this.

      [points the electric fence]

      Bruno: But that's to stop the animals getting out, isn't it?

      Shmuel: Animals? No, it's to stop people getting out.

      Bruno: Are you not allowed out? Why? What have you done?

      Shmuel: I'm a Jew.

    • Crazy credits
      Quotation displayed before the opening titles: "Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows - John Betjeman"
    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Holocaust Films (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Rhythm For You
      Written by Eddy Christiani, Frans Poptie

      Courtesy of APM Music

    User reviews538

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Stunning
    I read the book "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" after coming across it in the library almost a year ago, and it amazed me. The unique approach taken by Mr Boyne put the subject matter across in a fresh and, if it is possible, even more heart-wrenching fashion. When I heard they were making the book into a film, I was very anxious, as I thought that they couldn't possibly convey the book onto the screen appropriately.

    I am delighted to say that I was entirely wrong. I have just this minute returned home from seeing the film and I am absolutely stunned. The film is practically identical to the book, which was wonderful to see, and I thought that the acting was superb. Vera Farmiga and Asa Butterfield were, I thought, exceptional. The film was handled fantastically and I believe that the feel of the novel was not lost in the translation to screen.

    Seeing the film was a lot more intense than reading the book and, even knowing what was coming, I found myself sobbing at the end, as were my father and step-mother, the latter of whom had never read the book, and was utterly shocked. This is the first film I have ever seen in which the whole audience were silent from beginning to end, and then, when the film ended, not a single person moved for a long time afterwards.

    The film is an incredibly powerful, moving story, told superbly well by a stellar cast and crew. I would recommend it immensely to everyone.
    helpful•201
    45
    • clare_phoebe
    • Sep 19, 2008

    FAQ8

    • Is "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" based on a book?
    • How do Bruno and Shmuel meet?
    • If the movie is set in Germany, why do they have English accents?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 26, 2008 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Yo'l-yo'l pijamali bola
    • Filming locations
      • Kerepesi Cemetery, Budapest, Hungary
    • Production companies
      • Miramax
      • BBC Films
      • Heyday Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $9,046,156
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $253,085
      • Nov 9, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $40,416,563
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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