Did anyone watch/read "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas"?

[Rentochops]

I watched this tonight, it was probably one of the most poignant war films I have ever seen since Schindler's list...I cried and cried....amazing but so very very sad.

[Elphaba]

I watched it a while back and felt sick to the core. I saw it was on again but can not bear to watch it again.

[Rentochops]

I watched it a while back and felt sick to the core. I saw it was on again but can not bear to watch it again.

oh Elphaba I don't know why I watched it on my own in a hotel room I feel so upset, it really is so powerful on many levels x

I never guessed what would happen in the end!

[Princess4Wiz]

I watched this tonight, it was probably one of the most poignant war films I have ever seen since Schindler's list...I cried and cried....amazing but so very very sad.

Not seen it, ROC and doubt very much that I could cope with it. I find those kind of films too distressing for words.

[Elphaba]

oh Elphaba I don't know why I watched it on my own in a hotel room I feel so upset, it really is so powerful on many levels x

I never guessed what would happen in the end!

It has a very powerful message and I hope some people better themselves on how we should treat others- even making us more aware that the people who suffer in the 3rd world are as important as our own. Every-one is important to someone.
Don't be upset. Be thankful. Hugs xxx

[morgana123]

I watched this when it first came out on dvd with my youngest daughter and we both sat there willing a differnt ending on one level and on another thinking it gave those it affected a glimpse of life on the other side (not saying too much in case anyone else is going to watch - dont want to give the end away. I lent the dvd to a friend who watched it but before she could return it to me her dog got the case and chewed it and ruined the dvd. She said I will get you another copy and my reply was no thats ok Ive seen it and I dont think I would ever watch it again. I saw the book on a sale table last week, picked it up and put it down because even if it is different to the movie in some ways I dont think I could sit and read it.

But I have to say it was one of the most powerful films I have seen in a long time in a very understated way IYKWIM.

[LoobyLou]

I have seen it too, and like ROC I found it the most powerful film since Schindler's List. Were it not for historical facts one could be forgiven for thinking that this sort of thing was fiction as it seems inconceivable that man could do this to his fellow man.........

[tru-ella]

I watched it on Sky before, I was very distressed afterwards, would never watch it again.

[Zoe Farley]

i was meant to watch that but instead i went to sleep! ha ha ha, been helping my friend renovate his house so was very tired! will have to catch it next time!

Zoe
http://craftbunker.blogspot.com/

[dita]

I couldn't watch it as I find that part of our history too distressing.

[pyjama princess]

I've felt sick just reading this and being reminded of it. Hubby bought the DVD and we took it on hols to Cyprus with us a few years ago. After watching it I wasn't too happy with hubby for taking it on hols with us. We still have the DVD but like others I don't think we'll watch it a second time. And Morgana123 I too wouldn't be able to finish the book.

[Spendsloads]

Read the book which was moving and very good, but not seen the film.

[Ribbons]

Oh no ROC what a horrible film to watch on your own. I've seen it before and it played on my mind for ages. When I saw it was on again I couldn't even look at the picture of the little boy. I'd better not discuss it further here in case others haven't seen it.

[essdeecee]

In my former life as a children's book reviewer and website owner, we reviewed the book when it was first released. It was having a powerful effect then and became course material for schools with our review featured.

I know the story and probably better not see the film - hope you are OK now ROC! Bless you.:mysmilie_512:

[Little Jan]

I saw it was on last night, I know it had great reviews so I put it on to record, so I could watch it one evening while hubbys away and daughter is out(ony time I get to watch what I like)thinking maybe I should wait and watch it with someone if at all

[morgana123]

Whatever you do Jan make sure you have a large box of tissues ready for yourself and another for whoever watches it with you because you would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by this movie.

[Rentochops]

I saw it was on last night, I know it had great reviews so I put it on to record, so I could watch it one evening while hubbys away and daughter is out(ony time I get to watch what I like)thinking maybe I should wait and watch it with someone if at all

thanks girls, LJ as i wandered across the bridge home from the office in Luxembourg (as you do) I kept seeing the images from the film (it is understated but I think that is why it's so powerful)..I wish I had never watched it, I wouldn't watch it on my own LJ.

Then again in a way I feel enriched for watching it...and as course materials for school I suspect it is a very good lesson for the young. I am sure the book would not be quite as distressing as the film (although I could not read it now as films ruin books for me), the boys in it were incredible actors...and I think that is why it really had such an effect. I just wished they had given a warning before it started as you never expect it to end as it does. I don't think this gives anything away as war films are never going to be happy. LJ make sure you are happy and in company if you watch it.

[Rentochops]

I can only get BBC2 here, luckily it's whales and stuff tonight...although one just died but they saved some others. I am not a big lover of animal shows so only half watching.

[Rachel]

I saw it on DVD when it first came out. Yes, like Schindler's List, it's very sad and moving, and one of those films I'll only watch once. United 93, about the hijacked plane on 9/11 that crashed in Pennsylvania, is another film that comes to mind that I'll never be able to watch again, even though it was extremely well made and acted. Just a heads up in case that comes on TV!

[debo]

I watched it, maybe last year? My daughter wanted to see it after a conversation with a teacher at 6th Form (so must have been at LEAST a year ago!). He told her that it was one of those rare occasions when the film is better than the book. I found it very interesting as I had never seen a film telling the story from a German family's point of view. I want to watch it again but we lent the dvd to someone and never had it back! Was totally surprised by the ending! I thought it was interesting seeing the wife's reaction to everything (what could she do?), the daughter's brainwashing and the son's naivety - asking the questions that any sane adult would/should ask. I definitely want to watch it again - I must be heartless (I always cried in Lassie films though!)

[lilac froggy Jan]

We have the DVD and I watched it on my own one day a while back. Oh my, I was distraught. I will watch it again one day though. As I feel you see different things each time you watch a good film. The Reader with Kate Winslet is another one that is thought provoking. Think I'll be watching that again too.

[Ellen Durow]

The book/film was not well received by members of the Jewish community who felt that it trivialised the events around which it is based. I'm inclined to agree. I certainly wouldn't recommend it as a school text either. It's not well written and there are amateurish and poorly researched aspects in what could have been a moving glimpse for children into a ghastly period of modern history. It was really a bit of a dog's breakfast.

[morgana123]

I haven't read the book but have seen the film once and only once. I won't say I enjoyed it because that would be totally the wrong word but I personally thought the subject matter was handled sensitively without over dramatisation. Whilst the film deals with a very sensitive and emotive subject, it is a film, not a documentary, and I for one certainly didn't feel it trivilised what happened not only to the jewish community but to many, many others who did not fit into Hitler and the third reich's ideal of what constituted a worthwhile human being. Sometimes I feel these people are forgotten because their numbers were smaller than those in the jewish community who were persecuted.

I personally feel that any film, tv show or book which deals with the inhumanities that happened in this dark period of history and continues to remind us and evokes debate and discussion ensures that this will never be forgotten and hopefully never be repeated.

[LoobyLou]

I haven't read the book but have seen the film once and only once. I won't say I enjoyed it because that would be totally the wrong word but I personally thought the subject matter was handled sensitively without over dramatisation. Whilst the film deals with a very sensitive and emotive subject, it is a film, not a documentary, and I for one certainly didn't feel it trivilised what happened not only to the jewish community but to many, many others who did not fit into Hitler and the third reich's ideal of what constituted a worthwhile human being. Sometimes I feel these people are forgotten because their numbers were smaller than those in the jewish community who were persecuted.

I personally feel that any film, tv show or book which deals with the inhumanities that happened in this dark period of history and continues to remind us and evokes debate and discussion ensures that this will never be forgotten and hopefully never be repeated.

I agree completely Morgana, the mentally infirm, those people with disabilities and the occupied portions of Europe's Roma were all wiped out because they didn't fit Hitlers idea of the perfect specimen.