The Book Thief

A young girl growing up with foster parents in a small German town during the Nazi era finds solace in stolen books and a growing love of words, even as her family risks everything to hide a Jewish refugee in their basement. The story is narrated by Death, who follows her through the escalating dangers of wartime Germany.

The film reflects the experience of ordinary Germans under Nazi rule, including book burnings, the persecution of Jews, and the danger faced by families who sheltered Jewish refugees, as well as the Allied bombing campaigns that struck German towns.

Based on a novel; the characters and town are fictional composites representing broader historical realities rather than specific documented events.

Directed by Brian Percival

Cast: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Ben Schnetzer

Positioned at 1938–1943 within the Nazi Germany / Home Front phase of the war, as part of the Home front Germany. This is entry 10 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Nazi Germany
• hidden Jews
• home front
• book burning
• bombing

• 

  Swing Kids

  1939

• 

  Mrs. Miniver

  1939–1940

• 

  Since You Went Away

  1943–1944

• 

  Atonement

  1935–1940

• 

  Munich: The Edge of War

  22–30 September 1938

• 

  Hope and Glory

  September 1940 – May 1941