Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

(33 Posts)
jeanio Thu 28-Jan-21 22:15:35

Have just watched this after seeing it years ago and it still made me cry. Such a really poignant film.

Alexa Fri 29-Jan-21 09:35:45

The two little boys served each others' needs.

Serving each others'needs is absolutely the opposite of what the Nazis were intent on doing. The Nazis were blind to the needs of all who were not Nazis.

Modern fascism is like Hitler Nazism.

Kate1949 Fri 29-Jan-21 09:43:29

I couldn't watch that again. Our granddaughter was shown this in junior school. She was traumatised for weeks.

merlotgran Fri 29-Jan-21 09:54:38

I think it's a rare example of where the film is actually better than the book.

It's many years since I read it with my grandsons who thought the main character was infantilised. We decided about two thirds of the way through that enough was enough and as I knew the ending I was relieved that they made their own decisions to abandon it.

Fennel Fri 29-Jan-21 11:52:21

Another reason films etc like this need to be kept in mind - because of the many propagandists who say that the Holocaust never happened.

Elrel Fri 29-Jan-21 22:48:50

My grandson, then 10, read it at school and told me everyone should read it, I’m inclined to agree. Since reading the book I have seen the film twice and both times found myself holding my breath at the end hoping the boys would be saved.

Doodledog Fri 29-Jan-21 23:27:00

Kate1949

I couldn't watch that again. Our granddaughter was shown this in junior school. She was traumatised for weeks.

Yes, I have mixed feelings about showing to to young children.

I have a liberal view of film classifications, and believe that it should be up to a responsible parent to decide what will upset their own children, and that they should use the certificates as a guide, but not be held to them.

I do feel, however, that it is beyond the remit of schools to make that decision for parents, and show something like this to children who might find it too upsetting to cope with.

Older children should, of course, be taught about the horrors of war and how the Holocaust happened, but I'm not convinced that little ones need to think about this sort of thing. Give them some time to be children.

Rosie51 Fri 29-Jan-21 23:36:04

merlotgran shows how we're all different, I thought the book was far better than the film in regards to the ending. Both absolutely heartbreaking. I've not yet summoned the courage to watch Sophie's Choice... I feel an absolute coward.