It’s been a while since I had not watched a movie and leave the theater satisfied. It finally happens with The Book Thief by Brian Percival – who directed three Downton Abbey episodes – based on the novel by Markus Zusak.
The story starts a year before the Second World War. While Hitler spread terror in Germany, Liesel, a ten year-old Communist daughter was abandoned by her mother to a host family so as to protect her. As she is illiterate, she learned reading with her foster father, Hans Hubermann. Then she discovered the love of writing thanks to a Jewish refugee, Max Vandenburg. In this time of war, when there are book-burnings and when the intellect and philosophy are banned, Liesel began to steal books, which some would be burnt and others would age on the shelves of a large library.
Told by The Death, the film explains the power that words could have. This is thanks to the eloquence that Hitler was able to take power and it is precisely because he was aware of the power of words that it was forbidden to have some books at home.
I had no prejudice before watching this film. I am immediately interested when a story takes place between the 19th century and the 70s. The sets and costumes are really fascinating.
The characters are very well performed by the actors to such an extent that you can change your opinion towards some of them. Those we thought inflexible may prove to be generous in the end. The young actress Sophie Nélisse as Liesel was very good, too much perhaps. It seems that she means each word she said as if she was repeated a lesson. Geoffrey Rush who plays Hans Hubermann probably played the most human character in this movie. The empathy we feel for them is real and the tension that illustrates the story is such that we can stay tight in our seats until we sigh of relief when we are sure someone’s life is safe. Although this is a historical drama it is still possible to release the tension and smile sometimes face to a situation comedy. It must be said that music helps a lot to the staging. We easily recognize the talent of John Williams (nominated again for the Academy Award).
Here is THE sentence that begins and ends the film. It is said by The Death as Roger Allam “Once a fact, we all die. Nobody can live forever. “
The Book Thief is a must see.
Actors Performance
Directing
Screenplay
Soundtrack
Final Note
Is it #DudeChick certified ?
A wonderful movie with great actors and a moving story to tell.
