Debbie Schlussel: Movie I'm Really Looking Forward to

By Debbie Schlussel

**** SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE ****

On Friday, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" debuts in theaters throughout the United Kingdom (with "Pajamas" spelled in the European "Pyjamas"). It comes to American theaters in early November. It's sad that it will be mostly confined to smaller arthouse theaters because "Pajamas" looks like a great movie.

Based on the worldwide bestseller of the same name by Ireland's John Boyne, the movie is about Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the Nazi commander general of Auschwitz, which he knows nothing about. He and his family are moved to a mansion next to a forest. On the other side of the forest, young Bruno can see from his bedroom window a fence with people in striped pajamas on the other side. Soon, he goes to the forest to play and finds himself at the fence of Auschwitz, where he meets another 8-year-old boy, Shmuel, and soon learns more about his father's camp. If you've read the book, you know there is a very ironic twist at the end of the book, and likewise in the movie.

I don't know a lot about the historical accuracy of the basis for the story, since I was under the impression that most kids--especially those as young as eight--were immediately exterminated at Auschwitz and never ever got to the stage of the striped pajamas. Still, this fiction novel and movie are important, and I'm sure--if the movie is like the book--entertaining and moving.

Can't wait to see this. And, of course, G-d-willing, I'll post my review on its release date. Stay tuned.

*** UPDATE: Reader Rochel says:

There was in fact a children's block in Auschwitz. To this day no one knows why the Nazis decided to have one.

Posted by Debbie on September 10, 2008 09:38 AM to Debbie Schlussel