aamy-83183 The movie has good scenery and seem to be historically correct, but it fails in the acting. The main character seems plain and doesn't evolve at all during the movie (I know to cast a child is hard, but they failed hard on that). The characters doesn't get the proper deepness they need to the public to feel closer to them (except maybe Rosa and perhaps Rudy), they doesn't walk comfortably in their world, their actions doesn't seem natural and justificated. Maybe it was just me, but the accent and the mix of languages doesn't quite fit in, especially considering that they were on Germany and they were on war against English people!, they should just make everyone speak english as if it were a translation (though this is my personal preference)

beorhouse Sophie Nélisse carries this film like a boss with a great supporting cast. If you like films about the European Theater during WWII, then this one will really surprise you with its focus on the world of the typical German of that time period and how he or she understood what Hitler and his regime was doing. This is a great film to place beside THE HIDING PLACE and LITTLE BOY, though the former is not of the Childhood Drama genre. I rarely give a film 10 out of 10, but if one deserves it, this one does. The photography, the acting, the dialogue-- everything, really--makes this one an instant classic. The world's new sweetheart? Sophie Nélisse, of course!

aselrcn everyone should read this movie's book once in a lifetime. all characters, expectially max, was written more deep and i bounded with them when i read the book. i cried a lot and max in the book affect me very deeply. movie is very good but not like 10 stars. i give 9 just for the story and actors. but still I'm glad that i watched.

uderbentoglu I am reviewing this title as a person who read the book. As you know movies that based on novel, it is inevitable that compare film and book. Mostly characters in the movie does not comply with that you imagine while reading and this can disappoint you. We mostly like book except a few exceptions. I have a few criticism according to book. In the movie there is noting about Miss Holtzapfel. Whereas she is mentioned mostly especially late in the book. In the book it is mentioned some tragic incidents about her and her sons. Also Liesel goes to her and reads book to Miss Holtzapfel. Likewise not mentioned about Ilsa Hermann in detail. However she is a very important character in the book. Many times Liesel goes her house for stealing books and Ilsa Hermann noticed that. She leaves a letter to Liesel and say that she does not has to come in by stealth, she can come anytime that she wants. These details are not part of the movie. Except for these there are also some details that not mentioned or different according the book in the movie.Although some criticism above, generally I like the movie. The atmosphere of the book and World War II Nazi Germany is reflected successfully. I can say that casting is successful but I imagine Hans Hubermann younger. I recommend this movie but after reading the book. My rating is 7/10.