The Book Thief

2013
PG-13
2h 11m

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

144K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:12

While subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. In the basement of her home, a Jewish refugee is being prote... Read allWhile subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. In the basement of her home, a Jewish refugee is being protected by her adoptive parents.While subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. In the basement of her home, a Jewish refugee is being protected by her adoptive parents.

Director
- Brian Percival
Writers
- Markus Zusak
- Michael Petroni
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

144K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,358

Director
- Brian Percival
Writers
- Markus Zusak
- Michael Petroni
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 9 wins & 17 nominations total

Trivia
One of the books that Liesel read to Max when he was sick is actually the novel "The Book Thief", namely the sentence: "what came to her then was the dustiness of the floor, the feeling that her clothes were more next to her than on her, and the sudden realization that this would all be for nothing".

Goofs
While in the basement, Hans comments that the snowman will not melt because "it's freezing down here," yet no character's breath can be seen in the air, despite the fact that all are breathing heavily. The visibility of breath in the cold is determined by not only the temperature, but also the relative humidity, so it is possible for it to be cold without the characters' breath showing.

Quotes
[from trailer]
Max Vandenburg: If your eyes could speak, what would they say?

Connections
Featured in Today Australia: Episode dated 23 August 2013 (2013)

Soundtracks
Wiegenlied (Lullaby) Op. 49 No. 4
Written by Johannes Brahms

User reviews354

Review

Featured review

A Flat Out Amazing and Emotional Instant Classic!

This is a flat out amazing film. It's nuanced, extremely thoughtful and features some of the strongest performances of the year. If I had a vote, we'd get another young teenage girl nominated for "best actress" in a lead role for Sophie Nelisse's amazing work. Everyone's work here is award worthy. Sure, the subject matter may seem like a rehash (The Diary of Anne Frank"/"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"/The Pianist") but it really isn't. It's fresh, and packs the most emotional impact of any film that I've seen all year. Captivating and extremely powerful, the film is hauntingly beautiful. It moves at an effortless pace which allows the viewer to become immersed in the realities of Liesel's situation. That pace may not be for everyone but I found it to be perfect. Everything breaths properly and every connection made is heartfelt and meaningful. The literary vehicle of death as the narrator really is a masterstroke and works perfectly. It starts the film and finishes but is never intrusive.

I honestly feel this film is an instant classic. It really stayed with me after watching it and I'm still moved by its impact.