Engrossing Tale of Humanity

Rating: 10/10 (19 April 2014)

I have to say this is one of the best movies I've seen this year. The movie was so well done, both in terms of the acting skills and the directing. When I finished watching it, I went back to look at the credits and was surprised to see once again that it was done by Brian Percival. What an amazing director. I love the way he directs. I remember him from his direction of "North and South" and here he was again capturing my heart with this wonderful story.
Two relatively new 14 year old actors, Sophie Neliesse who played the title role of Liesel and Nico Liersch who played her friend Rudy were both magnificent. Their performances stole the show. I foresee that they will both be stars to reckon with in the future. Ben Schnetzer as Max was also captivating. His presence in the life of Liesel is what made her grow into the woman she became despite all the horrors of war she lived through. Geoffrey Rush as the adoptive father and Emily Watson as the adoptive mother (both German) hiding Max (a Jew) from the increasing Nazi fervor deserve note as well for their fabulous performances.
This story is not your average war story, but rather it looks at the hearts and minds of the average German citizen who were caught up in the madness of Hitler's Germany. This is the side of war we so often forget. How so many people get caught up in something they do not approve of, but to save their families wind going along with the powers to be, or standing silently by for fear of reprisals. Yet through their small efforts of humanity, they make extraordinary differences in the lives of others; Like taking in Liesel, and hiding Max, saving their lives through their bravery, kindness and generosity.
The movie takes an interesting approach, narrating the story through the eyes of the Angel of Death. The book by Markus Zusak and the screenplay adapted by Michael Petroni was excellent. I loved the story-line seeing WWII through the eyes of a child, through the eyes of death, very creatively written. There should be more films of this quality being made. In my opinion you should skip "12 Years a Slave" and go see/rent "The Book Thief", it's a much better movie both in terms of the acting, directing and the story-line.