The book thief is an American – German movie set in World War Two and is based on the novel by Markus Zusak.  It follows the story of a young girl who is adopted by a couple who live very modestly in a German town.  We grow to understand her loneliness and how this is bridged firstly by her adoptive father Hans through books.  Throughout the movie books are the vehicle for her to connect to others which slowly expands her world and her character.  Gently we see the love grow within their new family unit as they unite to help the son of a Jewish man that saved her adoptive father’s life in World War One.  Sophie Nelisse who played the lead won multiple awards including Hollywood Film Festival Spotlight Award, the Satellite Newcomer Award, and the Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Performance by a Youth in a lead or Supporting Role – Female.

Soul Stars – Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nélisse

What we like

• The depth of the characters and how their relationships develop with an intriguing story line
• The stellar performances of Sophie Nelisse as Liesel, Geoffrey Rush as her adoptive father Hans and all of the actors combined to deliver a cohesive and powerful movie

Soul experience

• Markus Zusak the author of the book was born in Sydney of German and Austrian parents.  His inspiration was with the people that would visit his family when he was young.  Having lived in Nazi Germany they would talk about their experience of Germans helping their Jewish friends throughout the Nazi era.  He wanted to capture the people that risked their own life and families lives to save their friends through his fictional story.  Wanting to honour these people through his story telling.  We definitely think he has certainly done this and also through the adaption to film

To reflect on

• Rudy:  You are stealing books, why?
  Liesel:  When life robs you, sometimes you have to rob it back.
• Max:  If your eyes could speak what would they say?

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