A Overlooked Gem

Rating: 10/10 (1 December 2014)

The Book Thief is a 20th Century Fox film by Director Brian Percival and is based on the novel by Michael Petroni. The film is set in the years leading up to World War II Germany, the casting is very well representative of the era and the region, the locations filmed were so well chosen and prepared that the viewer would be hard pressed to not feel as though the film was actually shot in the time and place of the story. The film portraits a different side to most World War II films in that it has little to do with the Holocaust and more with the daily life and struggles of the common Germany citizen in that same time. The Book Thief definitely deserves the attention of anyone who appreciates a great drama.
The film tells the story of the life of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who looses everything yet learns the meaning of Life. The narrator is none other then Death himself. The story starts with her mother giving her up for adoption to a German couple, while on the train to her new home her younger brother dies. Her new adopted parents will eventually be taken from her by the tragedy of war, but not before she meets a young man who inspires her to live. By all accounts she did just that, she lived a full life of 90 years and when Death came to collect her he wanted to tell her that she made him wonder what it was to live.
The Locations filmed in the movie were very well chosen and the attention to details were greatly considered. The buildings, the streets, the school house, all were as if the viewer warped back in time. The house which a great deal of the film was shot was painstakingly set in the greatest detail, the viewer feels as if they are in the room cramped as it may be. There were several outdoor scenes which transitioned seamlessly.
The cast of the movie were wonderful, Hans Hubermann, Liesel's adopted father, is warm and funny. Rosa Hubermann, Hans's wife is an outwardly ornery wife who at one point in the movie refers to herself as a witch, but in her heart is actually very caring and kind. The boy next store, Rudy, becomes Liesel's best friend. The Burgermister's wife, who herself knows the loss of her son, embraces Liesel and encourages her to read from her private library. Every character has a depth and a presence that is felt on screen.
The Book Thief may not be on the top 10 list, however neither was Albert Enstein, at least not initially. The Book Thief would make a great addition to any collector's library.