Book thief is a movie about an orphan girl who is adopted by foster parents, in the WWII era. The film was first released in the USA and was a box-office hit. It has been nominated for Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA awards for its dramatic screenplay and classical musical score.
The Back Story
Liesel Meminger, a 12-year-old girl is taken to a foster family by his mother as their father is caught for being a communist. Her brother dies while traveling due to the cold. She is taken by a foster family in Munich. Foster’s father, Hans Hubermann a retired WWI soldier, and his wife, Rosa are a housewife. Liesel meets a boy of her age Rudy, who lives next door. Together, they go to school and play football.
book thief
Time goes on and Max, a Jew hiding from the German army, comes to live with the foster family. He hides in the house’s basement. Liesel and Rudy go to the mayor’s house to help them with their clothes while Liesel builds a close relationship with the mayor’s wife Ilsa. They exchange books as Liesel is fond of reading. Liesel shares her books and views with max, as he invites her to write a diary.
Meanwhile, Hans gets a telegram to join the army as he was involved in a verbal fight with the army. To protect the foster family, Max leaves them immediately as it is not safe to hide anymore. Hans comes back home and reunites with the family. One night, the city is bombed by the Allies, and except Liesel and Rudy’s Father, everyone dies including Rudy and foster parents. Two years later, Germany is occupied by Allied soldiers. As Liesel is working in Rudy’s father’s tailor shop, suddenly max arrives and recognizes her. The film ends as they hug themselves overjoyed.
Narrated by death…
The movie is adapted from a novel. So, the story is narrated by a 3rd personal character known as The death. He sees everything from the grim realities of the war to humorous human behaviors. This is a very special factor when compared to other movies where the narrator is usually unknown. He appears in the beginning and remains until the end. He connects the people and the incidents and constructs the story just like Marcus did in his novel.
book thief
We can understand that death is given a god-like feeling when we see him soar in the sky through the clouds. The director has unchanged the atmosphere of the book as it is easy for the audience to follow the story. Voiced by Roger Allam who has a deep and authentic voice, the death does a decent job when narrating the story.
Choosing the right people
This is rather a teenage movie in a war-themed prospect. The lead characters are mostly children. Liesel is created as an orphan girl who is struggling to get used to the new surroundings. She is a bookworm and has a natural talent for writing. Sophie Nelisse was 13 years old when the movie was made and she does a fantastic job when portraying Liesel. She has got that innocent childish look with a prudent eye.
Rudy Steiner, the main sub-character of the movie, and for me, the one who steals the show and makes an everlasting impact on the viewer is always special. Given as a cherubic and highly active teenager with an eye for humor. Brimming with personality and versatility, he and Liesel are the main pillars of this movie. Nico Liersch, who portraits Rudy, is a fine match for Liesel who both have that childish perspective of their lives.
The Hubermann couple is seen as wise and funny old lads. They add that the age-old wisdom and the experience that they have to the lives of younger ones. Hans is a kind-hearted yet funny guy who always tries to be in a good mood. Rosa is rather a stern character who controls the household. Even though she has a rigid personality, she loves her husband and Liesel deep with her heart. Geoffery Rush and Emily Watson, two experienced campaigners, are a perfect choice for the movie.
book thief
Apart from the main characters, Max, Rudy’s Father, and Ilsa are not very much highlighted. But the impact they have on the film is massive. Ilsa is rather an odd character. In the end, we realize that she has a deep bond with Liesel. I can not think about a better cast than this and credit goes to the director who was behind all.
Things that keep us enthralled
Apart from the life-like locations and strong acting, what makes this movie so special is that its addictive storyline. In this case, the director is free of mind as is already done by Markus Zusak. In the beginning, it appears to be a rather pale story that is told by death. But as we dig inside, it is a memorable story that takes place in one of the darkest periods in human history. Told in a childish perspective. The story is somewhat bewitching, as the novel was an international bestseller.
Moreover, we can not dismiss the musical score. Done by an esteemed composer John Williams. Music does not play a major part but in some cases they are essential. Such as the last part where everyone dies leaving Liesel alone. Locations are another highlight. Filmed entirely in Germany, they add uniqueness and authenticity to the movie.
The Humanitarian Massage
A heartbreaking war tragedy was retold childishly. The book thief is far more than just a teenage movie. It tells a story the humanity where it has lost. The social and economic impact the war has brought to the lives of the people. The love, the education people deserve is far more important than the power of the people. War is a beast that engulfs everything from everyone. Yet the consequences it has made can not be overturned. Liesel stands for the right, the injustice, and for the education and most of the above, for the love. She represents the world that yearns for peace and happiness. In the end, she gets what she wants making the movie not entirely a tragedy.
book thief
For a viewer who has read the award-winning novel, the movie is little-bit over rushed. In the novel, we see everything in order. Adapting the exact novel to the silver screen is not possible but it could have been nicer if the movie was somewhat more longer. But still, The Book Thief delivers the message of peace, compassion, and love which we the world needs more than ever, making it a cherished creation in years to come.
