The Book Thief

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The Book Thief

PG-13

2013

2h 7m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

50%

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149 Reviews

73%

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50,000+ Ratings

In 1938, young orphan Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) arrives at the home of her new foster parents, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson). When Hans, a kindly housepainter, learns that Liesel cannot read, he teaches the child the wonders of the written language. Liesel grows to love books, even rescuing one from a Nazi bonfire. Though Liesel's new family barely scrape by, their situation becomes even more precarious when they secretly shelter a Jewish boy whose father once saved Hans' life.

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Critics Consensus

A bit too safe in its handling of its Nazi Germany setting, The Book Thief counters its constraints with a respectful tone and strong performances.

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

01/02/2018

The film is hamstrung by the novel's structure, unsure whether to be a 12A-certificate family outing, or to luxuriate in morbid irony.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

03/04/2014

2/5

I'd heard reports that this film could reduce grown men to tears - but I'm guessing they were just yawning with boredom.

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

03/02/2014

2/5

Tries to blend heartwarming moral observation with ill-fitting metaphysical contrivance.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

02/16/2024

3/5

The film has its respectful essence, but lacks a bit of the spirit and entertainment value.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/19/2022

4.5/5

For two hours I was a resident on that small town German street. I cared about the characters, laughed with them, and was pierced by the tragedies they endured.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

03/27/2022

3.5/5

The Book Thief mixes British actors using German accents, a few German actors, and the occasional German word, creating a playfully successful illusion of German-ness. The story is tragic and captivating at the same time. Nélisse and Rush are outstanding.

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Mickey B.

@Mickerdoo Jan 18

A little too slow and long. Setting and costumes were good but overall felt Hallmark at times. Sweet rebellious kindness story.

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Steven L.

@Lipofskyphotodotcom Jan 8

I knew nothing of this story and I believe that is the best way to answer this movie. It takes place in a town in Germany before during and after World War II. It does a wonderful job of giving you a sense of what these German people experienced within the bubble of their town without wide knowledge of everything that was going on in the world. I especially appreciated that they didn't inject the hindsight of what we all know now into the story, That allows us to imagine what we would have experienced and how we might have thought and behaved in that place and at that time. The characters are wonderfully developed and you grow to care deeply about them. There are moving relationships, Joy and some very difficult moments. Be prepared to cry. My one criticism is that I could have done without the narration that appears now and again. This is a remarkable film!

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Aileen D

Dec 6

I have not read the book, but I intend to after seeing the movie, which I loved. The acting, the photography, and the music were superb. The themes were up lifting. Film critics can be entirely too jaded a bunch, especially when it comes to this fine film.

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Lluvia A

Aug 12

This is a good film. The acting is fantastic. This is also a pretty good adaptation of the book. I recommend it.

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BJ M

@HotMovieStar Jun 9

This was a beautiful film. I found the characters and action believeable and compelling. So many films are so unrealistic - but this one really takes a viewer back to another world. I strongly recommend it.

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Gabriella R

01/31/2025

I felt like the ending was rushed a little bit but overall a beautiful story. I loved how diffrent the characters acted. I loved the father and hid input to the movie

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Brian Percival

Director

Geoffrey Rush

Hans Hubermann

Emily Watson

Rosa

Sophie Nélisse

Liesel Meminger

Nico Liersch

Rudy

Ben Schnetzer

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Synopsis

In 1938, young orphan Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) arrives at the home of her new foster parents, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson). When Hans, a kindly housepainter, learns that Liesel cannot read, he teaches the child the wonders of the written language. Liesel grows to love books, even rescuing one from a Nazi bonfire. Though Liesel's new family barely scrape by, their situation becomes even more precarious when they secretly shelter a Jewish boy whose father once saved Hans' life.

Director: Brian Percival
Producer: Karen Rosenfelt, Ken Blancato
Screenwriter: Michael Petroni
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Sunswept Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Intense Thematic Material)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.4M
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: Dolby, SDDS

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