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The Book Thief (12A)
Directed by Brian Percival
2 Stars
Set in World War II this is a rather strange and sanitised version of life in nazi Germany.
Based on Markus Zusak's bestselling novel it centres on the young Liesel (Sophie Nelisse) who is sent to live with German foster parents, played by Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson.
Discovering that she cannot read, her father promises to teach her and she starts stealing books - her only solace - which the nazis aim to destroy.
She becomes firm friends with a young Jewish man her parents give refuge to who also encourages her to read widely and to start thinking independently - an act of rebellion in itself.
Directed by Brian Percival, this is a terribly worthy film about triumph and perseverance in the face of adversity.
But it glosses over the heinous atrocities being committed by the nazis and provides no insight into the real difficulties and hardships of life under their rule.
A missed opportunity.
Maria Duarte