The Book Thief [DVD] [2013]

The best film I have seen in a long time. Beautifully filmed and acted. If you liked the book you will probably like the film.

A very interesting film ,emotional.I enjoyed it.

Amazing film

Arrived as advertised.

Having read reviews of this film suggesting its viewing should be accompanied by a box of Kleenex, I promised myself from the outset that I would simply not cry over this one. (I have a reputation for being somewhat emotional, even when just watching TV adverts.) However, my resolve went out of the window as, after having now seen said film at my local cinema last night, I came away desperately dabbing at my eyes in the hope that my economy mascara had not smudged too badly. For it is indeed an emotional film. It is also quite an unusual one in that it mixes the abstract with intense drama. I have not read the book (though I fully intend to now) but understand that it has a much more ethereal quality about it. Thus, it would have been difficult to reproduce that on the screen, other than in limited amounts. Therefore the film starts, and is infrequently returned to, narration by a storyteller who is in fact `death' personified. And this, along with spectacular cinematography, helps to give it a kind of misty-eyed, almost magical feel.The subject matter, however, is far from that. The viewer is shown the harsh realities of life in Nazi-rising WW11 Germany. And, it's quite a shock actually to discover that they, like us Brits, were just as scared, just as poverty-stricken and just as much at the mercy of the Hitler-led regime. Young Sophie Nelisse, the actress in the lead-role of Liesel, lends a wide-eyed innocence to the whole proceedings and is well supported by a talented Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson in the roles of her adoptive parents, who take her on (for money ) when she is removed from her own communist mother's care. Harbouring a young Jewish man, Max, is the centre of the story and it is Liesel's relationship with all three of the afore-mentioned, and a neighbouring school friend, Rudy, that fuel it.Having arrived illiterate, Liesel is taught to read and write by `Papa' Hans Hubermann (Geoffrey Rush), whose patience, kindness and humour are ever to the fore, and which contrast sharply with the "thunder storm" (Liesel's words) that is his wife, Rosa (Emily Watson) - who actually is not quite as formidable as she might at first seem. Liesel's quest for books, reading, and words in general, is further aided by Max's enthusiasm for such. He relies on her to keep him informed of the world, as his view is somewhat marred by being kept in the dark, cold basement of the house, unable to see the light of day. Liesel's hunger for books is both sated and increased when the local Mayor's wife allows her access to the mayorial household library - from where she later `borrows' the odd tome after creeping in uninvited. (She insists she is not a "thief" - as the film's title would suggest!)I will not spoil the plotline for those who have not yet seen this little gem of a movie, suffice to say that, as mentioned in the book's 'blurb' I believe, "death visits Liesel three times". She certainly grows up quickly and, like so many of that era, witnesses things that young eyes should really not see. But it is how she, and those around her, cope with adversity that is central to this film, where hatred and morality vie for places, and where neighbour is turned against neighbour and fear and suspicion are the order of the day. Surviving can only make one stronger and there are some surprising twists that develop in that very plot-line; fate can indeed be teasingly, and often ironically, fickle.I hope this film gets the appreciation (and awards) it deserves as it is beautifully scripted, sensitively directed, superbly acted and tantalising to watch (I didn't even notice that two and a half hours had passed.) The sadness and sheer stupidity of fascism at its height is off-set by the realisation of the strength of the human spirit to transcend such darkness. In the end, I was left feeling sad (in that sort of deeply moved way that only a great cinematic experience seems to evoke) yet also inspired and uplifted.

a young german girl is sent to a small town in Germany after her little brother dies on the train and her mother cannot look after her .the girl (her name ) Liesel is orphaned to a married couple aged in their forties.it is a war torn Germany under the rule of adolf hitler.showing not just what the germans did to other countries and people ,but what it was like there at that time.she meets a boy her age (early teens) called rudi.who falls in love with her.she learns to try and get on with her thunder mama as she calls her ,but not to her face and her loving new papa ,all the while they are hiding a young man,a jew (max).even when their cellar is inspected by german officers to see if it is a good bomb shelter,and fearing for their lives while the jew is still there.she liking books learns to read and with the german officer in charge of the towns wife lends her books and then stops her but she sneaks in to borrow more.the generals wife gets to know her as Liesel s new mother does the washing for the general and his wife. meanwhile while soldiers take jews away and rudi s eliteness is noticed by the german officer for his talents.he tries to run away with Liesl but it doent work.where in air raids from Lancaster bombers her new papa plays the harpsicord.her papa is conscripted to fight in the war,after a while returning injured..death comments on them as he collects there souls from their lifeless bodies as one night no siren is sounded and the town bombed.Liesl loses both new parents,rudi is pulled out of the rubble wanting to tell her he loves her ,but dies before saying the whole sentence.a film where a young girl has to cope with losing her real family,being in a war,in a country ruled by a dictator,showing how Germany was also a victim of the war.under a ruler who killed not only jews,but the mentally impaired,disabled,even germans who had these afflictions and disabilities.not all germans wanted adolf hitler.so don't blame us who where born from 1950 onwards .we didn't ask to be born german or you your nationality .yet we still get the stigma and blame for the war.we agree that what hitler did was totally wrong in all aspects.a compelling film.as for Liesl the I leave for you to see.a film I RECOMMEND

good blu ray

This is probably one of my favourite movies..... The historical representation of the times is very accurate in it's detail - all props, cars, clothes and backgrounds being in keeping. The acting is first class, and the story-line is compelling and absorbing. No special effects, no exaggerated violence, no car-chases, just a strong story with beautiful human feeling. This movie will appeal to all age groups and illustrates the futility of war. All in all, definitely one for your short-list. Watch it. You will not be disappointed.

Très bon film a conseiller , très satisfaite et bon service du vendeur merci a vous

Ein wirklich guter Film über das Erwachsenwerden eines bücher- und wortvernarrten Mädchens in der Zeit des 2. Weltkriegs. Erzählt aus der Perspektive des Todes. Trotz der schweren Thematik durchzieht den Film eine gewisse Leichtigkeit, man lacht und weint mit den Hauptcharakteren. Sehr zu empfehlen.

Great film and actor lm very happy with the seller and product

Très beau, très émouvant. Le terme de "voleuse" ne me parait guère convenir car cette fillette est animée des meilleures intentions.. Elle est juive, elle est recueillie pendant la guerre par une famille allemande. Elle assiste à des autodafés de livres dans les rues allemandes, découvre le charme, la magie des livres, en subtilise dans la bibliothèque de la femme d'un notable nazi, maintient en vie un jeune juif en lui faisant la lecture. C'est remarquablement joué par la fillette qui tient le rôle principal et les rôles secondaires sont aussi excellents.

Fantastic drama set during the second world War but be warned to have a few boxes of tissues by your side when watching .