the boy in striped pyjamas

the title sounding like an adaptation of a children's story
far from it of course in this film of a book of the same name
the central character is a boy dressed in striped prison garb
the prison being an unnamed concentration camp in germany
some time is spent at the beginning of the film setting it up
with a senior nazi officer packing his family off to his new job
they unaware of his new role as commandant of the camp
there's some long and wide shots of life in wartime berlin
children playing, soldiers marching, jews being herded
the family seen to be from the top end of germany society
with a lavish party being thrown prior to their departure
the commandant's parents are seen at the party
he the proud militaristic father, she challenging the war
this the first sign of cracks in their authoritarian lives
it takes a few minutes to get used to the very english accents
as there is no attempt to authenticate the language
which means this is another in a series of similar films
valkyrie and the reader particularly also english based
but again no point being picky - so best go with it
a change of focus as the family moves to the country
their sterile home close to the camp he commands
some chilling shots of smoke from the chimney stacks
and a gradual but discernible effect on the family
as the father takes on the role of the tough and loyal leader
initially mother supports her husband until the truth comes out
she is horrified by their situation and is deeply affected
their daughter at 12 embraces the ideals of hitler youth
while the son - bruno - an explorer - befriends a jew
it's a secret friendship with schmuel who is in the camp
they sit, talk and play with the camp fence between them
their innocent 8 year old conversations are very moving
as they both try and figure out the world they are in
the action moves between here and life in the house
as bruno watches his family change before his very eyes
for it is through those eyes that this world is seen
very clever directing means we are totally empathetic
and the pacing of the film is also superb - just right
as it builds to a quite an emotional and stunning climax
which sees the 2 boys fall victim to the fathers crimes
and some quite unforgettable scenes inside the camp
assisted by some very sombre yet appropriate music
me - i was pinned to my seat as the credits rolled
a day later and it's still stuck in my head
this one is a war film with a difference
and given the state of our world today
also very contemporary - a must-see