The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - Movie Review Example

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas A number of themes run throughout the film “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.” The lonely little boy Bruno is the protagonist in the film. He has a father, mother; a house help named Maria, a nanny, and Gretel, an old sister. The commandant of the Jewish concentration camp is his father. Desire for friendship is the main theme in the film. By having Bruno walk to the fence of the camp where he meets a young boy of his age, Boyne explores the theme of friendship.

However, Bruno faces an obstacle in that Shmuel; the little boy is a captive. At Auschwitz, the young, polished Jew is locked up along with his family. Bruno and Shmuel become friends despite being on the opposite side of the fence and war. The wish in these two boys for friendship is much stronger that they even disregard the fence between them. They turn out to be very reliant on one another. This companionship will eventually lead to catastrophe. The move by Bruno’s father to inquire from him how he managed to know the people in Striped Pajamas, Bruno argues that he saw them from the window.

Brunos father prohibits him to go near the fence and tells him to play close to the house. Bruno does not understand why his father hates these people. In this film, we also meet hateful and violent soldier who comes to Bruno’s old sister. Nevertheless, when he beats a prisoner who works in the house, we see his violent hatred of Jews. He also intimidates and threatens Bruno. The actions of the Bruno’s father and the Nazi soldiers display the theme of prejudice that runs all through the film. . The film “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” explores the picture of a child’s innocence in a time of war.

The common craving we all have for friendship and the fences; both figurative and literal that we must all find the way and make a choice. Works Cited Boyne, John. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: A Fable. Oxford: David Fickling, 2006. Print. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Miramax Home Entertainment: 2009. Film.