The Boy in the striped pajamas succeeds, but does not excel

Rating: 8/10 (9 July 2011)

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is not the most chilling, accurate, or meticulous account of concentration camp horror, but it still is a heartwarming account of a time of hatred and rage. The story shows the friendship between two boys, one a Jew, one a Nazi son as they make friends while separated by the fences of the camp. Yet as their friendship deepens, so does the hatred growing around them, putting their friendship at risk. It is certainly contrived in every way and the use of British Actors takes away the realism of the story. Still compelling and touching though, with two deeply felt performances by the youths.