Diana Newman

THE BOOK THIEF

Nico Liersch and Sophie Nelisse in THE BOOK THIEF
Nico Liersch and Sophie Nelisse in THE BOOK THIEF

THE BOOK THIEF is a Brian Percival film from a screenplay by Michael Petroni based on the best selling novel by author Marcus Zuzsak.  The story is  set in Germany during World War 11.

The young female lead character – Liesel played by the wonderful Sophie Nelisse- is sent to live with a foster family. Books become her world due to her warm and loving father-Hans (“the man with the accordian heart”) played by the multi talented Geoffrey Rush and Max, a Jew who takes refuge in their basement. Max quotes from Aristotle, “Memory is the scribe of the soul.”

There is a great supporting cast. Liesel’s best friend – Rudy wants to be a black runner like Jesse Owens. The mother – Rosa- is soft on the inside yet “cloaked in thunder”.

The emotive musical score is composed by John Williams and propels the plot.

There is a scene full of tenderness a midst the inhumanity at Christmas where the family build a snowman inside the house and have a snow fight as it is unsafe for Max to venture outside. “Words
are life. The blank pages are for you to fill.” But as the story unfolds we see that sometimes due to extenuating circumstances we have no control over our destiny.

Above all THE BOOK THIEF examines the futility of war. It is moving and heartfelt.

Published by Diana Newman

Diana Newman is a playwright who has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales with a double major in English and Theatre Studies, graduating in 1991. Diana has had three plays produced and she was shortlisted twice for NIDA’s playwright’s course. BITCHIN’ was workshopped at the Genesian Theatre in 1995 with the production being directed by Pamela Whalan. GAZUMPED was performed at Belvoir Street’s Open House program, directed by Ainslie Masterton in 1995. STANDUP was performed in 2000, directed by Rhonwen McCormack of Velvet Masque Productions at the Three Weeds Hotel, Rozelle.