The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008)
A heartbreaking wartime fable about innocence, friendship, and the devastating human cost of hatred seen through a child's eyes.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Mark Herman
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War, History
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 34m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: German, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 7, 2008 (Germany - 12), November 26, 2008 (United States - PG-13), September 12, 2008 (United Kingdom - 12A), March 5, 2009 (New Zealand), August 20, 2008 (Australia - M), November 7, 2008 (Brazil - 12), November 28, 2008 (Mexico), December 19, 2008 (Italy), September 26, 2008 (Spain - 7)
- Alternative Titles: Զոլավոր գիշերազգեստով տղան (AM), Çizgili Pijamalı Çocuk (TR), Cizgili Pejamalı Uşaq (AZ), 穿條紋衣的男孩 (HK), The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (US)
- Production Companies: BBC Film, Miramax, Heyday Films
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Plot
When his family moves from their home in Berlin to a strange new house in Poland, young Bruno befriends Shmuel, a boy who lives on the other side of the fence where everyone seems to be wearing striped pajamas. Unaware of Shmuel's fate as a Jewish prisoner or the role his own Nazi father plays in his imprisonment, Bruno embarks on a dangerous journey inside the camp's walls.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see this unforgettable story unfold:
Lines may divide us, but hope will unite us.
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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mark Herman
Main Cast
- Asa Butterfield
- Vera Farmiga
- David Thewlis
- Jack Scanlon
- Amber Beattie
- Rupert Friend
- David Hayman
- Sheila Hancock
- Richard Johnson
- Cara Horgan
Writers
- Mark Herman
Producers
- David Heyman
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - FAQs
What happens at the end of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas?
In the devastating finale, Bruno sneaks inside the concentration camp to help Shmuel find his missing father. The two boys are swept into a gas chamber with other prisoners and killed, leaving Bruno's family to discover the unbearable truth of what has happened to their son.
Is The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas based on a true story?
No, the film is based on John Boyne's 2006 novel of the same name, which is a work of fiction. While it draws on the historical reality of the Holocaust and Nazi concentration camps, the characters of Bruno and Shmuel are entirely fictional. Boyne described it as a fable rather than a historical account.
Where can you stream The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas?
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is available to stream on Paramount Plus (including Paramount Plus Premium and Essential tiers) and fuboTV. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Kanopy offers free access for eligible library members.
Who are the main actors in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas?
The film stars Asa Butterfield as Bruno and Jack Scanlon as Shmuel. Vera Farmiga plays Bruno's conflicted mother, while David Thewlis portrays his Nazi commandant father. The supporting cast includes Amber Beattie, Rupert Friend, David Hayman, Sheila Hancock, and Richard Johnson.
What is the age rating for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas?
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is rated PG-13 in the United States. It received a 12A certificate in the United Kingdom and a 12 rating in Germany and Brazil. Parents should be aware that the film deals with Holocaust themes, including the death of children, and may be distressing for younger viewers.
What is The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas about?
The film follows eight-year-old Bruno, the son of a Nazi commandant, who forms an unlikely friendship with Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned on the other side of a concentration camp fence. Seen entirely through Bruno's innocent eyes, the story exposes the horror of the Holocaust through the lens of childhood naivety and forbidden companionship.
Who directed The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas?
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was directed by Mark Herman, the British filmmaker known for Brassed Off (1996) and Little Voice (1998). Herman also wrote the screenplay, adapting John Boyne's bestselling novel. The film was produced by David Heyman and released in 2008 by Miramax and BBC Film.
How long is The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas?
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas has a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes (94 minutes). The film was released in the United States on November 26, 2008, following earlier releases in Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom earlier that year.
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