The Book Thief (Feature Film)

Bibliographic Information

Blancato, F. (Producer), & Percival, B. (Director). (2013). The Book Thief [Motion Picture]. USA: Fox 2000 Pictures.

Plot

Liesel, a young girl, travels with her Communist mother and brother across Germany to be placed with foster parents. When her brother dies suddenly on the train and is buried, Liesel steals a book from the gravedigger. Later, she is placed with Hans and Rosa, a childless couple. Hans is a kindly man with a sense of humor and an affinity for the accordion. He coaxes Liesel out of her shell and together, they read the book Liesel stole: The Gravedigger’s Handbook. Though Liesel is nearly 11, this is the first book she has ever read. 

Years pass and Nazis rule Germany with an iron fist. When Liesel and her friend Rudy attend a book-burning rally, Liesel steals her next book: The Invisible Man. Although Hans is careful not to show it, he disapproves of the Nazis’ methods and when Max, the son of an old Jewish friend shows up at his door needing a place to hide, Hans immediately agrees. The young man and Liesel strike a up friendship and she risks everything to try to keep him alive, including “borrowing” books from the mayor’s wife to read to him during a prolonged illness. Eventually Max leaves in order to take pressure off the family, but that doesn’t save them from horrific tragedy.

Review

Rudy and Liesel are both bullied by a neighborhood kid. There's a particularly strong scene where Liesel is surrounded by children chanting "dummkopf" or blockhead, teasing her because she can't read. Institutional bullying is evident through the archival footage of Kristallnacht and Max's need to hide. Even the Gentile population is harassed by the Nazis, having their basements searched without warning. Rudy is also bullied for his desire to emulate Jesse Owens, a black Olympic champion.