The Coming of Age book has become fodder for dystopian science fiction and fantasy while some of the toughest Worldbuilding is done right here, on the planet Earth. Things don’t get more dystopian than growing up in Nazi Germany during World War II. As captured by Austrian author Markus Zusak, The Book Thief is a harrowing, sorrowful tale about life during wartime. The 2005 novel is amusingly narrated by Death and tells of his fascination with Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nélisse), who comes to his attention when collecting her brother.
The novel has been justly feted over the years and the inevitable film adaptation arrived in November and is now out on disc from 20th Century Home Entertainment. The film is faithful without fully capturing the novel’s tone, aided by some solid performances, excellent production design and a John Williams score that justly earned an Academy Award nomination without imitating his Schindler’s List,...
The novel has been justly feted over the years and the inevitable film adaptation arrived in November and is now out on disc from 20th Century Home Entertainment. The film is faithful without fully capturing the novel’s tone, aided by some solid performances, excellent production design and a John Williams score that justly earned an Academy Award nomination without imitating his Schindler’s List,...
- 3/19/2014
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Thoughtful tweens and teens interested in history and unusual adventurous stories of kids their own age should love this, but adults may find the lightness of the tone off-putting. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
I have not read the source material
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
I haven’t read the Markus Zusa novel this is based on, but what ended up on the screen makes me suspect that it might be one of those unfilmmable books that should probably have been left alone. On the one hand, this is a tale of a tough, plucky young girl — that alone is rare enough to be cheered — who loves books and loves reading, which doubles the reason for applauding it. On the other hand, this is essentially a kids’ movie about life in Nazi Germany, and it ends up being...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
I have not read the source material
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
I haven’t read the Markus Zusa novel this is based on, but what ended up on the screen makes me suspect that it might be one of those unfilmmable books that should probably have been left alone. On the one hand, this is a tale of a tough, plucky young girl — that alone is rare enough to be cheered — who loves books and loves reading, which doubles the reason for applauding it. On the other hand, this is essentially a kids’ movie about life in Nazi Germany, and it ends up being...
- 2/25/2014
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Director: Brian Percival; Screenwriter Michael Petroni; Starring: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch; Running time: 131 mins; Certificate: 12A
This adaptation of Markus Zusak's best-selling novel offers a portrayal of Nazism that's strictly for the kids. However, it's a chapter in history that even grown-ups find difficult to comprehend, so taking a child's point-of-view does tap a universal chord - and that is crucial given that our young heroine Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) is a member of the Hitler Youth. It's a pity, though, that opportunities have been missed.
Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson are the crotchety German couple, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, who take Liesel in at their small-town home after her communist mother is branded an enemy of the state. Her story is narrated by Death (Roger Allam) who claims her little brother en route in a device that works better on the page than on screen,...
This adaptation of Markus Zusak's best-selling novel offers a portrayal of Nazism that's strictly for the kids. However, it's a chapter in history that even grown-ups find difficult to comprehend, so taking a child's point-of-view does tap a universal chord - and that is crucial given that our young heroine Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) is a member of the Hitler Youth. It's a pity, though, that opportunities have been missed.
Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson are the crotchety German couple, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, who take Liesel in at their small-town home after her communist mother is branded an enemy of the state. Her story is narrated by Death (Roger Allam) who claims her little brother en route in a device that works better on the page than on screen,...
- 2/25/2014
- Digital Spy
As with films such as Life is Beautiful and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, it’s always fascinating to delve into the horrors of war from a child’s innocent eyes, witnessing such undignified brutality from a naïve, blissfully ignorant perspective. Succinctly highlighting the futility of it all, Brian Percival’s The Book Thief feels suitably watered down, pinpointing death and destruction without feeling torturous. However what transpires is a disengaging, emotionally detached title, as a film that truly struggles to move you, despite the magnitude and poignancy of the themes explored.
Based on Markus Zusak’s bestselling novel, our entry point is the young Liesel (Sophie Nélisse), who is separated from her communist mother and taken in by a German couple, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson) – the former a benevolent, affable man, the latter not quite so much. Soon this seemingly placid environment becomes a theatre of conflict,...
Based on Markus Zusak’s bestselling novel, our entry point is the young Liesel (Sophie Nélisse), who is separated from her communist mother and taken in by a German couple, Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson) – the former a benevolent, affable man, the latter not quite so much. Soon this seemingly placid environment becomes a theatre of conflict,...
- 2/24/2014
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Markus Zusak's acclaimed novel The Book Thief comes to the big screen this Wednesday (February 26) with Sophie Nélisse leading an all-star cast for director Brian Percival
With narration by none other than Death himself, the drama tells the story of a young girl called Liesel (Nélisse) who is sent to live with foster parents Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson) while Germany is in the grip of World War II.
"Writing that book killed me, in the best possible way," Zusak told Digital Spy and other journalists at a New York roundtable interview.
"It meant everything to me. I have been happy to let the book go, that was probably the smartest thing to do and I think it was put in very respectful hands."
Despite not being involved with the making of the film, the Australian author is happy with the final result, heaping praise on 13-year-old Nélisse's portrayal of the protagonist,...
With narration by none other than Death himself, the drama tells the story of a young girl called Liesel (Nélisse) who is sent to live with foster parents Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa (Emily Watson) while Germany is in the grip of World War II.
"Writing that book killed me, in the best possible way," Zusak told Digital Spy and other journalists at a New York roundtable interview.
"It meant everything to me. I have been happy to let the book go, that was probably the smartest thing to do and I think it was put in very respectful hands."
Despite not being involved with the making of the film, the Australian author is happy with the final result, heaping praise on 13-year-old Nélisse's portrayal of the protagonist,...
- 2/24/2014
- Digital Spy
What happens when Brian Percival, who's directed Downton Abbey, is let loose on a young-adult bestseller? An unecessarily soapy wartime saga, that's what
I spent all 130 minutes of The Book Thief wondering who exactly its target audience is supposed to be. It's based on a bestselling young-adult novel set in Nazi Germany, but it has a cheesy, saccharine Lifetime Channel feel, like it's one of those made-up art movies the characters in animated sitcoms go and see, the wives weeping, the men all wincing and wishing it were Skyfall.
It's about Liesel (Sophie Nelisse), the orphaned 12-year-old daughter of German communist activists, taken in by a middle-aged couple in 1938. She and the smitten boy next door Rudy (Nico Liersch) join the Hitler Youth and goose-step around town burning books and fetishising der Führer as little twinges of conscience and doubt slowly begin to manifest themselves. Then her adoptive parents Hans and Rosa (Geoffrey Rush,...
I spent all 130 minutes of The Book Thief wondering who exactly its target audience is supposed to be. It's based on a bestselling young-adult novel set in Nazi Germany, but it has a cheesy, saccharine Lifetime Channel feel, like it's one of those made-up art movies the characters in animated sitcoms go and see, the wives weeping, the men all wincing and wishing it were Skyfall.
It's about Liesel (Sophie Nelisse), the orphaned 12-year-old daughter of German communist activists, taken in by a middle-aged couple in 1938. She and the smitten boy next door Rudy (Nico Liersch) join the Hitler Youth and goose-step around town burning books and fetishising der Führer as little twinges of conscience and doubt slowly begin to manifest themselves. Then her adoptive parents Hans and Rosa (Geoffrey Rush,...
- 2/10/2014
- by John Patterson
- The Guardian - Film News
Stunning trailer for the adaptation of the beloved novel by Markus Zusak. Set in a fictional town in Germany during World War II, a young girl who is unable to read, develops an obsession with learning and literature that helps her to cope with the terrors ahead. Directed by Brian Percival and starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nelisse, Ben Schnetzer and Nico Liersch.
- 1/31/2014
- Sky Movies
The cinemas are bracing for a big film this weekend. It’s based on a young adult novel about a plucky girl trying to survive in an oppressive society. Oh, but this is not about a futuristic society. This one was based over in Europe about 75 years ago. Germany to be exact. And this plucky young girl is nearly have the age of that futuristic heroine. Little Liesel’s only in grade school. And in order to fight for survival, she doesn’t rely on a bow and arrow like Ms. Katniss. She must use her head and heart to stay one stop ahead of the baddies. Both young women have little to eat (hence, those “Hunger Games”), but Liesel yearns to feed her stomach and her intellect. That’s why she risks everything by becoming The Book Thief.
In the late 1930′s as she is traveling by train to a better life,...
In the late 1930′s as she is traveling by train to a better life,...
- 11/22/2013
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
When Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief hits bookshelves in 2005, one critic referred to it disdainfully as “Harry Potter and the Holocaust.” This reaction likely spurred from that decade’s ubiquitous Holocaust literature aimed at teens; among them, Everything is Illuminated and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which received lesser film adaptations. However, Zusak’s novel was a book of deep feelings and big thrills, with an aching humanity filling the story and the haunting spirit of Death narrating. It was a vibrant tale set against a dismal wartime backdrop. Brian Percival’s film adaptation, in comparison, is too plain, lacking any of the dynamism that drove Zusak’s bestseller.
The Book Thief follows the life of young Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nélisse), a nine-year-old girl abandoned by her mother and left in the custody of Hans and Rosa Huberman (Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson). Liesel is quiet, with sorrow-filled eyes,...
The Book Thief follows the life of young Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nélisse), a nine-year-old girl abandoned by her mother and left in the custody of Hans and Rosa Huberman (Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson). Liesel is quiet, with sorrow-filled eyes,...
- 11/20/2013
- by Jordan Adler
- We Got This Covered
Chicago – Brian Percival’s “The Book Thief,” from the hit book by Markus Zusak, is a well-intentioned piece of work that nonetheless fails, sometimes spectacularly, to connect in the ways that its creators intend.
Tonally adrift between something clearly aimed at young adults and something much darker and more cynical about the nature of man and the afterlife, the film is only carried at all by the strengths of its talented leads – Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and the remarkable Sophie Nelisse.
Try as they may, these talented performers can’t overcome the overall work’s notable flaws, even if one senses that the hearts of all involved are in the right place.
Rating: 2.0/5.0
Zusak’s book was narrated by Death himself and Percival and his team make the daring move of keeping a lot of that narration intact. So “The Book Thief” opens with a the voice of Death (Roger Allam...
Tonally adrift between something clearly aimed at young adults and something much darker and more cynical about the nature of man and the afterlife, the film is only carried at all by the strengths of its talented leads – Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and the remarkable Sophie Nelisse.
Try as they may, these talented performers can’t overcome the overall work’s notable flaws, even if one senses that the hearts of all involved are in the right place.
Rating: 2.0/5.0
Zusak’s book was narrated by Death himself and Percival and his team make the daring move of keeping a lot of that narration intact. So “The Book Thief” opens with a the voice of Death (Roger Allam...
- 11/15/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Based on the beloved bestselling novel, The Book Thief tells the inspiring story of a spirited and courageous young girl named Liesel, who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a foster family in World War II Germany.
For Liesel, the power of words and of imagination becomes a means of escape – and even joy – from the tumultuous events enveloping her and everyone she knows and loves. She is The Book Thief’s heart and soul.
Indeed, it is heart and soul – as well as triumph and perseverance – that drive the film, which is rich in themes and characters that will resonate for every generation. A moving and poignant portrait of the resiliency of the human spirit, this life-affirming tale contrasts innocence (as embodied by Liesel) with the pervasive tyranny that marked the times and her homeland.
Tm and © 2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
For Liesel, the power of words and of imagination becomes a means of escape – and even joy – from the tumultuous events enveloping her and everyone she knows and loves. She is The Book Thief’s heart and soul.
Indeed, it is heart and soul – as well as triumph and perseverance – that drive the film, which is rich in themes and characters that will resonate for every generation. A moving and poignant portrait of the resiliency of the human spirit, this life-affirming tale contrasts innocence (as embodied by Liesel) with the pervasive tyranny that marked the times and her homeland.
Tm and © 2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
- 11/11/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
"The Book Thief," adapted from Markus Zusak's best-selling novel, is a well-meaning re-telling of the oft-told tale: the Holocaust was a time of unimaginable horror, but even during the worst moments of man's inhumanity to man, there were good people around who adopted the children of Communists and sheltered Jews in their basements. Anyway, that's what kindly Hans Hubermann (Geoffrey Rush) and his cranky-but-with-an-eventually-revealed-heart-of-gold wife Rosa (Emily Watson) do. Their ward, Liesel (Sophie Melisse) arrives at their home illiterate, and Hans not only teaches her to read, but turns their basement walls into blackboards covered with words from their studies. The basement eventually also houses sickly Max Vandenburg (Pierre Clementi lookalike Ben Schnetzer), the son of a man who saved Hans' life during the first World War. Liesel crushes on the dark beauty (who wouldn't?), while a classically Aryan-looking classmate, blond Rudy, (Nico Liersch) pursues her...
- 11/8/2013
- by Meredith Brody
- Thompson on Hollywood
The biggest question The Book Thief faces is to wonder why it's a story worth telling at all. Being a World War II film, it ticks off plenty of the expected boxes and plays heavily on the horrors of life amid air raids, fear of speaking your opinion in the open or even smiling. It has its share of villains, aggressive speeches, Jews hiding in basements and a core set of protagonists with large hearts and strong performances. You can probably quickly rattle off ten such WWII films that accomplish the exact same goal, some better than others, some great and some you'd prefer never hearing from again. What is it that sets one film apart from the nextc With The Book Thief, adapted by Michael Petroni (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) from Markus Zusak's highly acclaimed 2006 novel, I found myself flip-flopping between feelings...
- 11/8/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The Book Thief – Movie Review 20th Century Fox Reviewed for Shockya by Harvey Karten. Data-based on RottenTomatoes.com Grade: B+ Director: Brian Percival Screenwriter: Michael Petroni Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nélisse, Barbara Auer, Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch, Levin Liam, Roger Allam Screened at: Paris Theater, NYC, 11/4/13 Opens: November 8, 2013 When I was a kid during World War 2, I would note that everyone on the subway would be reading a newspaper, usually the Daily News, the Daily Mirror, or the NY Post. Take a look nowadays and you’ll likely find nobody with a paper in hand but many, instead, with a gadget that appears glued to [ Read More ]
The post The Book Thief Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Book Thief Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 11/8/2013
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Title: The Book Thief Directed By: Brian Percival Starring: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch “The Book Thief” celebrates love and life in one sequence and takes it all away in the next, only to come back around to give your heart yet another bruising, but it always does so with purpose, making the film a well-earned flood of emotion. After being put up for adoption, Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nélisse) is sent to live with Hans and Rosa Hubermann (Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson) in a pre-war German town. Heartbroken over the passing of her brother and her mother’s abandonment, Liesel has difficulty adjusting to her [ Read More ]
The post The Book Thief Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Book Thief Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 11/4/2013
- by Perri Nemiroff
- ShockYa
Check out this new clip from 20th Century Fox's The Book Thief, starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nélisse, Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch, Joachim Paul Assböck, Kristen Block, Sandra Nedeleff and Rafael Gareisen. In The Book Thief, while subjected to the horrors of WWII Germany, young Liesel (played by Sophie Nélisse) finds some solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Brian Percival directs from the screenplay by Michael Petroni, based on the novel by Markus Zusak. Ken Blancato and Karen Rosenfelt prodice while Redmond Morris serves as executive producer.
- 10/30/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Fox has released a pair of clips from The Book Thief, the upcoming adaptation of Markus Zusak's World War II-era novel, narrated by Death. More importantly, for the studio at least, is they just may have an Oscar contender on their hands as we still have two kudos-heavy months of films yet to hit theaters. I won't be seeing this one for about ten days or so, but I've already heard it sports some solid performances from Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and youngster Sophie Nelisse, but the studio is going to have to play this one right in order to gain attention. amz asin="0375842209" size="small"The film follows the story of Liesel Meminger (Nelisse), beginning at the age of 9, when she's taken to live with a foster family in a German working-class neighborhood. She arrives having just stolen her first book, "The Gravediggers Handbook", beginning a love affair with books.
- 10/28/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Stunning trailer for the adaptation of the beloved novel by Markus Zusak. Set in a fictional town in Germany during World War II, a young girl who is unable to read, develops an obsession with learning and literature that helps her to cope with the terrors ahead. Directed by Brian Percival and starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nelisse, Ben Schnetzer and Nico Liersch.
- 10/24/2013
- Sky Movies
Opening in the Us early next month, Fox’s upcoming adaptation of the best-selling novel, The Book Thief, will be facing some very tough competition at the box office, opening opposite Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World.
The studio debuted the first trailer over the summer, giving a first look at the upcoming historical drama. And now the studio’s UK arm has released the domestic trailer for our shores, giving an even better look at what’s coming our way shortly – though, on our own shores, we’ve a few more months before it hits cinemas.
Based on the beloved international bestselling book, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel, an extraordinary and courageous young girl sent to live with a foster family in World War II Germany. She learns to read with encouragement from her new family and Max, a Jewish refugee who they are hiding under the stairs.
The studio debuted the first trailer over the summer, giving a first look at the upcoming historical drama. And now the studio’s UK arm has released the domestic trailer for our shores, giving an even better look at what’s coming our way shortly – though, on our own shores, we’ve a few more months before it hits cinemas.
Based on the beloved international bestselling book, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel, an extraordinary and courageous young girl sent to live with a foster family in World War II Germany. She learns to read with encouragement from her new family and Max, a Jewish refugee who they are hiding under the stairs.
- 10/24/2013
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
If you had picked up a copy of the New York Times today, you would have noticed that pages 9 and 10 were almost completely blank, save for a URL reading “wordsarelife.com” at the bottom of page 10. Curious? That is precisely what Fox is hoping for as the release date for the upcoming World War II drama The Book Thief draws near.
With the release of a new U.K. trailer and a bold advertising campaign in the New York Times, Fox is showing their confidence in a film that may turn out to be an under-the-radar Oscar contender. Several pieces lending potential to that goal are already in place, from the best-selling source material of Marcus Zusak’s novel to a cast boasting an Oscar winner in Geoffrey Rush, a two-time Oscar nominee in Emily Watson, and promising newcomer Sophie Nelisse.
The film will tell the story of Liesel (Sophie...
With the release of a new U.K. trailer and a bold advertising campaign in the New York Times, Fox is showing their confidence in a film that may turn out to be an under-the-radar Oscar contender. Several pieces lending potential to that goal are already in place, from the best-selling source material of Marcus Zusak’s novel to a cast boasting an Oscar winner in Geoffrey Rush, a two-time Oscar nominee in Emily Watson, and promising newcomer Sophie Nelisse.
The film will tell the story of Liesel (Sophie...
- 10/23/2013
- by Joshua Young
- We Got This Covered
With one trailer already out in the world for the Us, it seems only fair that the UK should get its own promo for The Book Thief, based on Markus Zusak’s acclaimed novel. Take a look… Set in Third Reich Germany, the film version finds Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson as the foster parents of orphan Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nélisse).Living with her new family, the Hubermanns, Liesel befriends Jewish fighter Max (Ben Schnetzer), who's being hidden in the Hubermans' cellar; the mayor's wife Ilsa, who gives Liesel the run of her library; and various local children, including Rudy (Nico Liersch). The story traces Liesel's personal development, both through her relationships and through the books she steals and reads, all against the backdrop of the Nazi state. She eventually writes the story of her own life, as the situation becomes ever more dangerous.The Book Thief has an eye...
- 10/23/2013
- EmpireOnline
Watch the new trailer for 20th Century Fox’s The Book Thief.
Based on the beloved bestselling novel, The Book Thief tells the inspiring story of a spirited and courageous young girl named Liesel, who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a foster family in World War II Germany.
For Liesel, the power of words and of imagination becomes a means of escape – and even joy – from the tumultuous events enveloping her and everyone she knows and loves. She is The Book Thief’s heart and soul.
Indeed, it is heart and soul – as well as triumph and perseverance—that drive the film, which is rich in themes and characters that will resonate for every generation. A moving and poignant portrait of the resiliency of the human spirit, this life-affirming tale contrasts innocence (as embodied by Liesel) with the pervasive tyranny that...
Based on the beloved bestselling novel, The Book Thief tells the inspiring story of a spirited and courageous young girl named Liesel, who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a foster family in World War II Germany.
For Liesel, the power of words and of imagination becomes a means of escape – and even joy – from the tumultuous events enveloping her and everyone she knows and loves. She is The Book Thief’s heart and soul.
Indeed, it is heart and soul – as well as triumph and perseverance—that drive the film, which is rich in themes and characters that will resonate for every generation. A moving and poignant portrait of the resiliency of the human spirit, this life-affirming tale contrasts innocence (as embodied by Liesel) with the pervasive tyranny that...
- 10/23/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The first trailer for Fox’s adaptation of The Book Thief debuted online last month, and the studio has quickly followed it up with the first poster, which reveals the young Sophie Nélisse front and centre as Liesel.
The WWII-set drama is set to arrive in Us cinemas this autumn/fall, ahead of its release in the UK early next year.
Based on the beloved international bestselling book, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel, an extraordinary and courageous young girl sent to live with a foster family in World War II Germany. She learns to read with encouragement from her new family and Max, a Jewish refugee who they are hiding under the stairs. For Liesel and Max, the power of words and imagination become the only escape from the tumultuous events happening around them. The Book Thief is a life-affirming story of survival and of the resilience of the human spirit.
The WWII-set drama is set to arrive in Us cinemas this autumn/fall, ahead of its release in the UK early next year.
Based on the beloved international bestselling book, The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel, an extraordinary and courageous young girl sent to live with a foster family in World War II Germany. She learns to read with encouragement from her new family and Max, a Jewish refugee who they are hiding under the stairs. For Liesel and Max, the power of words and imagination become the only escape from the tumultuous events happening around them. The Book Thief is a life-affirming story of survival and of the resilience of the human spirit.
- 9/11/2013
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
See the first poster for 20th Century Fox's The Book Thief which is adapted from the novel by Markus Zusak. Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Sophie Nélisse, Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch, Joachim Paul Assböck, Kristen Block, Sandra Nedeleff and Rafael Gareisen star. Ken Blancato and Karen Rosenfelt produce while Redmond Morris serves as executive producer on the film which hits theaters from Nvoember 15th, 2013. In The Book Thief, while subjected to the horrors of WWII Germany, young Liesel (played by Sophie Nélisse) finds some solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Michael Petroni wrote the screenplay.
- 9/11/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Set in Third Reich-era Germany, Markus Zusak's much-loved novel The Book Thief is coming to the big screen in a flurry of coming-of-age emotion. It has an Oscar season release date and a brand new trailer, freshly launched over at Apple, each as wintry as the other.The period detail is rich and there's some stellar acting talent on display here. Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson play the foster parents of orphan Liesel Meminger, but Sophie Nélisse, with only Monsieur Lazhar to her name, looks likely to be the star of the show as young Liesel.Living with her new family, the Hubermanns, Liesel befriends Jewish fistfighter Max (Ben Schnetzer), who's being hidden in the Hubermans' cellar; the mayor's wife Ilsa, who gives Liesel the run of her library; and various local children, including muddy-kneed scamp Rudy (Nico Liersch). The story traces Liesel's personal development, both through her relationships...
- 8/22/2013
- EmpireOnline
Watch the trailer for The Book Thief , starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and Sophie Nélisse. Brian Percival directs the 20th Century Fox release which follows young Liesel (Nélisse) who, while subjected to the horrors of WWII Germany, finds some solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Also in the cast are Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch, Joachim Paul Assböck, Kristen Block, Sandra Nedeleff and Rafael Gareisen. The film is adapted from the Markus Zusak book by Michael Petroni, and opens in theaters from November 15th. Ken Blancato and Karen Rosenfelt produce while Redmond Morris serves as executive producer.
- 8/21/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Check out the first images we've added from The Book Thief adaptation, starring Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and Sophie Nélisse. The Brian Percival film opens November 15th via 20th Century Fox and follows young Liesel (Nélisse) who, while subjected to the horrors of WWII Germany, finds some solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Also in the cast are Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch, Joachim Paul Assböck, Kristen Block, Sandra Nedeleff and Rafael Gareisen. Pic is produced by Ken Blancato and Karen Rosenfelt, and executive produced by Redmond Morris.
- 8/8/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
An international open casting call was held last year to find the young girl to star in 20th Century Fox's The Book Thief, the Michael Petroni-scripted adaptation of the best-selling Marcus Zusak novel.
It was announced back in February that 12 year old French-Canadian youngster Sophie Nélisse landed the role and with filming now complete, the film is scheduled for release in November.
Director Brian Percival described the casting search to USA Today. He knew it was crucial to find the right actress to play Liesel Meminger, but after seeing "thousands" of actresses from around the globe, Percival was stuck as he prepared for the film.
"Some were good in different ways but nobody was actually Liesel," he says. "And it was key that we found someone who didn't have to act it so much as just be Liesel."
When he received the audition tape of 12-year-old French Canadian actress Sophie Nélisse,...
It was announced back in February that 12 year old French-Canadian youngster Sophie Nélisse landed the role and with filming now complete, the film is scheduled for release in November.
Director Brian Percival described the casting search to USA Today. He knew it was crucial to find the right actress to play Liesel Meminger, but after seeing "thousands" of actresses from around the globe, Percival was stuck as he prepared for the film.
"Some were good in different ways but nobody was actually Liesel," he says. "And it was key that we found someone who didn't have to act it so much as just be Liesel."
When he received the audition tape of 12-year-old French Canadian actress Sophie Nélisse,...
- 8/5/2013
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
It's been a long process to find the young girl to star in 20th Century Fox's The Book Thief, the Michael Petroni-scripted adaptation of the best-selling Marcus Zusak novel.
Open casting calls went out across the USA and Europe to find the special young girl needed to play Liesl Meminger, the strong-willed "book thief" of the title.
12 year old French-Canadian youngster Sophie Nélisse, who starred in last year’s Oscar-nominated foreign film Monsieur Lazhar, has landed the role. Liesel experiences life in Nazi Germany with her eyes wide open and seeks solace in the written word. Having lost her brother and mother, Liesel is sent to Himmel Street to live with foster parents where her curiosity and interest in books makes her steal them and her spirit and determination mean she is not afraid to do so. A great deal has been taken away from her. She steals books to settle the score.
Open casting calls went out across the USA and Europe to find the special young girl needed to play Liesl Meminger, the strong-willed "book thief" of the title.
12 year old French-Canadian youngster Sophie Nélisse, who starred in last year’s Oscar-nominated foreign film Monsieur Lazhar, has landed the role. Liesel experiences life in Nazi Germany with her eyes wide open and seeks solace in the written word. Having lost her brother and mother, Liesel is sent to Himmel Street to live with foster parents where her curiosity and interest in books makes her steal them and her spirit and determination mean she is not afraid to do so. A great deal has been taken away from her. She steals books to settle the score.
- 2/5/2013
- by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
- ScreenTerrier
“The Book Thief,” the WWII Germany-set children’s novel by Marcus Zusak that spent over 280 weeks on the New York Times’ bestseller list, has been gearing up for the big screen for a little while now, and has attracted quite the international cast to help bring the story to life. French-Canadian youngster Sophie Nelisse, who starred in last year’s Oscar-nominated foreign film “Monsieur Lazhar,” will take on the title role of a young girl who lives outside Munich during WWII with her foster parents and a Jewish refugee hiding under the family’s stairs. During the bombing raids, Liesel begins stealing books, sharing them with her neighbors and learning to read, setting the stage for a tale about the comforting power of the printed word. Australian-born Geoffrey Rush and English actress Emily Watson are set to play her foster parents, with American actor Ben Schnetzer as the refugee and...
- 2/5/2013
- by Tess Hofmann
- The Playlist
Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson are set to star in an adaptation of Markus Zusak's World War II drama novel "The Book Thief" at Fox 2000.
Sophie Nelisse ("Monsieur Lahzar") plays a spirited young girl named Liesel who witnesses the horrors of Nazi Germany while in the care of foster parents (Rush, Watson).
The girl arrives with a stolen book and begins collecting other tomes, learning to read while her stepparents harbor a Jewish refugee (Ben Schnetzer) under the stairs. Nico Liersch also stars.
Brian Percival ("Downton Abbey") directs the project which begins filming later this month in Berlin. Karen Rosenfelt and Ken Blancato are producing.
Source: THR...
Sophie Nelisse ("Monsieur Lahzar") plays a spirited young girl named Liesel who witnesses the horrors of Nazi Germany while in the care of foster parents (Rush, Watson).
The girl arrives with a stolen book and begins collecting other tomes, learning to read while her stepparents harbor a Jewish refugee (Ben Schnetzer) under the stairs. Nico Liersch also stars.
Brian Percival ("Downton Abbey") directs the project which begins filming later this month in Berlin. Karen Rosenfelt and Ken Blancato are producing.
Source: THR...
- 2/5/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson are set to topline Fox 2000’s adaptation of Markus Zusak’s best-selling novel The Book Thief. French-Canadian actress Sophie Nelisse, who appeared in Monsieur Lahzar, will make her English-language debut as the title character in the World War II drama being directed by Brian Percival (Downton Abbey).
Ben Schnetzer (Happy Town) and Nico Liersch also are cast in the screen translation of the novel, which spent more than 280 weeks on best-seller charts. Thief centers on Liesel (Nelisse), a spirited young girl who witnesses
read more...
Ben Schnetzer (Happy Town) and Nico Liersch also are cast in the screen translation of the novel, which spent more than 280 weeks on best-seller charts. Thief centers on Liesel (Nelisse), a spirited young girl who witnesses
read more...
- 2/5/2013
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.