A film to make you think how lucky you are

Rating: 8/10 (28 September 2008)

I have yet to read the book but it is a work of fiction that has its roots in fact. This is a film where you have to just watch in silence and like others a tear may well come into your eyes. This is a film about WW2 and the death camp experience as a German family is uprooted from their Berlin home due to the father's (David Thewlis) promotion to camp commandant. Asa Butterfield's deep blue eyes hit you as does his innocence and the James Hoerner music that you may not even realise is there continues the darkness when appropriate. The boys are the stars and the friendship and acceptance of apology over wrongs are the same today, but the inevitability of the ending is the thing that gets you. The film leaves you feeling empty but without it there would be something missing. Watch it and you may see what I mean.