The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

BOYS MAKE AEROPLANE NOISES

Move! Move it! Move!

Go! Move!

-Now!

-DOGS BARK

Come on! Get in!

BOYS: Bye, Bruno.

Hello, sweetheart.

Mum, what's going on?

We're celebrating.

-Celebrating.

-Your father's been given a promotion.

-It means a better job.

I know what promotion is.

-We're having a party to celebrate.

-He's still a soldier, though?

Yes, my lamb. Yes.

Just a more important one now.

And there's some even more exciting news,

but I think Dad wanted to tell you about that himself.

-Moving? Where to?

-To the countryside.

But that's miles away. What about Karl and Leon? And Martin?

I know it's hard, but we're all having to say goodbye to our friends

for the time being.

-We'll make new ones where we're going. Won't we?

-Of course.

You'll make lots of new friends.

You can have your friends round in the morning, before we go.

Think of it as an adventure, like in one of your books.

But this is the best house ever.

Well, you never know, the house we're going to might be even better.

-Dad says it's got a garden.

-Mm-hm.

Look, the thing is, Bruno, the thing about being a soldier

is that life is not so much about choice, but about duty.

So if your country needs you to go somewhere, you go.

Now, of course, going somewhere else is much easier

when you know that your family are so DELIGHTED to go with you.

LAUGHTER, MUSIC

Bruno! You're getting bigger every time I see you.

-It's only been a week, Natalie.

-Ah, well,

perhaps it's me that's getting smaller.

ALL LAUGH

So, you two, what do you think of all this, hm? Moving out of Berlin?

-Well, Mummy and Daddy say it's a good thing, so it must be.

-Hmmm.

Children, be angels, will you? Pass some food around.

PIANO STARTS UP ANTHEM

APPLAUSE

-Heil Hitler!

-ALL: Heil Hitler!

Congratulations.

-Doesn't he look wonderful?

-Absolutely.

Oh, I'm so proud of you, my boy!

Oh, dear. I sometimes wonder if this is all down to me.

Making you those costumes for your little plays

-when you were tiny. You used to adore dressing up.

-Er, Natalie...

Does it still make you feel special, Ralf dear? The uniform?

-And what it stands for?

-Mother,... it's a party.

-Let's not spoil things.

-Me, spoil things?

LAUGHS

You should be careful.

Airing your views so publicly could land you in trouble.

-You know that.

-LAUGHS

Er, so, er, how long are we losing you for, my boy?

Until the war is won, I would think.

Well, not so long, then. Hm? CHUCKLES

SINGER: # You've got to smile

# When you say goodbye

# You've got to smile

# As the days go by

# And all the time that you're away

# I'm thinking of you

# I'll write and say from day to day

# How much I love you

# You've got to smile

# When you say goodbye

# You've got to smile

# Till the clouds roll by

# So till we meet again

# Say cheerio and then

# Give me a smile when you say

# Goodbye. #

BOYS GIGGLE, MIMICS GUNFIRE

ALL MIMIC GUNFIRE

GROANS

-MOTHER:

-Bruno!

All right, Bruno.

Time to say goodbye.

BOYS: Bye-bye!

BOYS MAKE AEROPLANE NOISES

Time has come for me to sleep Lord, I thank Thee for Thy keep

Watch this night well over me Teach me, Lord, to trust in Thee

Care for children, sick and poor

Grant them, Lord Thy blessing more.

This I pray in Jesus' name

Care for my family just the same Amen.

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

BIRDSONG

Children, look. Look!

Our new home.

CROW CAWS

I have some business to take care of. I'll see you shortly.

Well, what do we think?

Hm? Oh, come on, it's lovely! You two choose your rooms.

I'll have Maria come and...

-..help you unpack.

-SIGHS

SIGHS

What do you think of it, Maria? The new house?

Well,... it's not for me to say.

It won't feel like home until we make it feel like home, will it?

FOOTSTEPS

-(Who was that?)

-(One of your father's soldiers, I suppose.)

-(He looked very serious.)

-(Well, they are, aren't they?)

-(Why are we whispering?)

-(I don't know.)

-CHUCKLES

-And play with who?

-The children.

-Over on the farm.

-Farm? I didn't see a farm. And that one, too.

You can only see it from my room.

Hm. And there are some children there?

-Yes, quite a few.

-That's good.

-So, I'll be able to play with them?

-I don't see why not.

I'll wait a little bit.

Just to see what they're like, because they look a bit strange.

-The children do?

-Well, and the farmers.

-What sort of strange?

-DOOR CLICKS OPEN

I'm sorry.

Vegetables.

There.

Bruno, have you unpacked everything?

I think you should go back upstairs and finish off.

-Thank you, ma'am.

-PANTS

-Bruno?

-I told you they were strange.

-Who?

-The farmers. They wear pyjamas.

FOOTSTEPS

Oh, Bruno, I was just coming to look for you!

Thank you. That was extremely useful. I'll see you later.

-Of course.

-CLICKS HEELS

Come in.

Sit down, sit down.

Well, what do you think?

-Oh, dear.

-I want to go home.

You are home, Bruno.

Home is where the family is. Isn't that right?

Bruno, you have to at least give the place a chance.

I promise you, it won't be long...

Why do the farmers wear pyjamas? I can see them from my window.

The thing is, Bruno,...

..those...people,

well, you see, they're not really people at all.

RAPID FOOTSTEPS

-Bruno, who told you it was a farm? Was it Maria?

-No.

It is a farm, isn't it?

Yes.

Is it to do with your new job?

All you need to know about my work here, Bruno, is that

it's very important to our country. And to you.

We're working very hard to make this world a better place

-for you to grow up in.

-But you're not a farmer, you're a soldier.

Bruno, can you come and help me finish sorting out in the kitchen?

I can still play with them, though? The children?

I don't think so, Bruno, no.

Like you say, they're a bit strange, a bit, erm...

Well, they're different.

Don't worry, we'll find you some new friends,

but they won't be the ones from the farm.

-Ralf, you promised. You said it was miles away.

-It is.

How was I to know he could see it from the bedroom window?

-There was one of them in our kitchen.

-SIGHS

FOOTSTEPS

-Master Bruno. How are you today?

-Fed up.

-Awww.

-You've said the same thing every day for two whole weeks.

-It's true.

-Well, you should be out playing.

-With who?

-I don't know. Gretel?

-BLOWS RASPBERRY:

-Well,... you could make your own fun.

That's what I'm trying to do.

One thing's for sure, sitting around being miserable

won't make things any happier.

'MAKES AEROPLANE NOISES'

-BANGS ON WINDOW, HE GASPS

-Bruno, what are you doing?

-Exploring!

-No! No, not at the back!

It's out of bounds. Explore at the front.

-But I've explored it all.

-Well, find something else to do.

-Like what?

-Come back in now and we'll think of something.

ROUSING MUSIC ON RADIO

RETUNES TO QUIETER MUSIC

-So, children, what are you doing today?

-Same as yesterday.

-And what was that?

-Same as the day before.

Except you went exploring.

-I like exploring.

-Where did you go?

I wanted to look in the back garden, but Mum wouldn't let me.

The back garden? Well, God forbid.

I expect you're missing those friends of yours.

I even miss school. CHUCKLES

Well, I never thought I'd hear you say that.

-Anyway, you won't be missing it for long.

-Really?

I've arranged a tutor for you both.

A Herr Liszt will be visiting twice a week.

So...we're not going to school?

-School's coming here?

-Mm-hm. On an old bicycle.

Hm.

BIRDSONG

BOTH WHISPER

SHE GIGGLES

-SHE SIGHS

-Good morning, little man.

-And how are you this morning?

-Can I ask you a favour?

Well, you can ask.

Are there any spare tyres around?

An old one from one of the trucks or something?

Well, the only spare tyre I've seen around here

-belongs to Lieutenant Meinberg.

-SHE GIGGLES

-Well, is he using it?

-Yes, he's very attached to it.

-GIGGLES:

-Oh, stop it. He doesn't understand, he's only eight.

You're only 12. So stop pretending you're any older.

-What do you want a tyre for, anyway?

-I want to make a swing.

A swing? That does sound exciting.

-You!

-DOG BARKS

Here. Now.

Move!

Take this boy to the outhouse.

There are some tyres in there. He will select one.

You will carry it wherever he asks. Do you understand?

Well, little man, what are you waiting for?

How about this one?

Whoa! THUDDING

Where's my mum?

Er,... she's out.

-When is she back?

-Soon, I expect.

But don't worry.

-But I might bleed to death.

-No, you won't.

-Will I need to go to hospital?

-No, it's only a small cut.

-BOY WINCES

-Oh, come on, it's not that bad.

There.

All better.

-What's your name?

-Pavel.

Now, you better sit still for a few minutes.

Before you start walking around on that again.

Will you tell my mum what happened?

I think she's going to see it for herself.

-She'll probably take me to a doctor.

-I don't think so.

-It could be worse than it looks.

-It isn't.

How would you know? You're not a doctor.

Yes, I am.

No, you're not. You peel potatoes.

I practised as a doctor. Before I...

Before I came here.

You couldn't have been much good, then, if you had to practise.

Now,... what are you going to be when you grow up?

I know.

-An explorer.

-How do you know that?

Is it nice on the farm? FOOTSTEPS

Bruno? Bruno, what happened to you?

I made a swing, but I fell off it and cut my knee.

But Pavel here carried me in and put a bandage on it.

-Go to your room.

-But Pavel says I...

Don't argue. Go to your room.

Thank you.

MUSIC ON RADIO

-It's not fair, you having this view.

-Well, I'm not swapping.

BICYCLE BELL RINGS

MAN HUMS

I think school's here.

'No, I mean more recent history.'

-Are you interested in current affairs?

-Yes, very.

So you will be aware of the... situation

-in which our great nation presently finds itself?

-Yes.

I read newspapers whenever I can and one of Father's men

-keeps me up to date on everything that's happening.

-Good.

And, Bruno, have you been reading newspapers?

-Have you been reading anything?

-Books.

Good. What sort of books?

Adventure books, mainly.

You know, knights in shining armour, exploring strange lands

and stuff. And silly princesses always getting in the way.

This is why I'm here to help. You're how old now, Bruno? Eight?

Time to get away from fiction books and start learning fact.

Time I think to turn your mind to the real world.

And I believe this would be the perfect start.

SOLDIERS SING

CRICKETS SING

Die! Die!

BOY GASPS

Hello.

GASPS

I'm exploring.

What are you doing?

We're,... we're building a new hut.

Have you got lots of friends over there?

A few. But we fight a lot.

That's why I like being out here. I can be on my own.

-I'm Bruno.

-Shmuel.

-Sorry?

-I'm Shmuel.

That's your name? I've never heard of anyone called that before.

-I've never heard of anyone called Bruno.

-But Shmuel.

No-one's called Shmuel.

I live in the house. Back there.

-Have you got any food on you?

-No.

-Are you hungry?

-Mm.

How old are you?

-Eight.

-Me, too!

It's not fair, me being stuck over here on my own,

while you're over there playing with friends all day.

-Playing?

-Well, that number, isn't it part of a game or something?

It's just my number. Everyone gets given a different number.

Oh. Right. Then what happens?

WHISTLE BLOWS, GASPS

-I have to go back now.

-Really?

-Yeah.

It was nice to meet you,... Shmuel.

-And you,... Bruno.

-MAN SHOUTS

-Mum, I can't find my football.

-It'll be in one of your cupboards.

It isn't, I've looked.

-Can I have a piece of chocolate?

-A piece, yes.

< MAN GROANS

Bruno.

-Have you looked in the cellar?

-The cellar?

-For your football?

-Oh.

MAN GROANS

TORCH CLATTERS Damn!

SWITCH CLICKS

-Gretel, I've just seen all your...!

-All my what?

All your dolls.

-Down in the cellar.

-Dolls are for little girls.

It's not right to be playing with toys

while people are away risking their lives for the Fatherland.

DISTANT BLASTS ON WHISTLE

ELECTRICAL BUZZING

-"My people's density is my density."

-Destiny.

"Its struggles and its sorrows, its joys and its miseries are mine.

"I must work and create for the resurrection of my Fatherland.

"The history of my people is great and glorious." And it's 12 o'clock.

-I'm sorry?

-Isn't that when we finish?

The termination of the lesson

is for the tutor to decide, not the pupil. Please continue.

CRICKETS SING

Oh, Bruno, there you are.

I'm just going into town for an hour. Do you want to come?

You be careful on that thing.

-Thank you.

-CAR DOORS SLAM

ENGINE STARTS

Can I ask you something?

Why do you people wear pyjamas all day?

-They're not pyjamas.

-Well, those?

We have to. They took our other clothes away.

-Who did?

-The soldiers.

-The soldiers? Why?

-I don't like soldiers. Do you?

-I do, quite.

My dad's a soldier. But not the sort

-that takes people's clothes away for no reason.

-What sort, then?

Well, he's the important sort.

He's in charge of making everything better for everyone.

-So, is your dad a farmer?

-No, he's a watchmaker.

Or was. Most of the time now he just mends boots.

Funny how grown-ups can't make their minds up

about what they want to do.

It's like Pavel. Do you know him? He lives over there.

He used to be a doctor, but gave it all up to peel potatoes.

Can I ask you another question? What do you burn in those chimneys?

I saw them going the other day. Is it just lots of hay and stuff?

I don't know. We're not allowed over there.

Mama says it's old clothes.

Well, whatever it is, it smells horrid.

-SIGHS:

-I wish you'd remembered the chocolate.

Yes, I'm sorry. Perhaps you can come and have supper with us sometime.

I can't, can I? Because of this.

-That's to stop the animals getting out, isn't it?

-Animals?

No, it's to stop people getting out.

Are you not allowed out? Why?

-What have you done?

-I'm a Jew.

I think I should go now.

Will you be here tomorrow?

-I'll try. Goodbye, then.

-Bye.

-KNOCKS ON DOOR

-A little present, sweetheart.

Thank you, Mummy.

-Have you seen Bruno?

-Outside on the swing, I think.

Thursday's perfect. I'll have a car come to collect you both.

Are Grandma and Grandpa coming?

Hey, did you smell that horrible smell the other day?

-Coming from the chimneys?

-What sort of ill?

The day I fell off the swing. Did you smell it, Mum?

-Father...

-Mum?

Let me speak to her.

Yes, she is, I can hear her.

-SIGHS:

-Yes, we look forward to it. Goodbye.

SIGHS

-Is Grandma not coming?

-No. She's poorly, apparently.

But Grandpa's coming.

Did you smell it, Dad?

-What?

-That horrid smell from the chimneys. What is it?

-I think they just burn rubbish there sometimes. Look.

-What?

-Hey!

-Gretel.

-Hey, that's not fair!

-Gretel!

-What?!

It's only a game.

Ralf, this tutor you've brought in,

does he usually teach children as young as Gretel and Bruno?

-I believe so. Why?

-Well, do we know what he's teaching them?

Gretel seems to have become so...

They're being taught what all children are being taught.

They mustn't get left behind. Come on.

Let's get to bed.

"The Jew slandered us and incited our enemies.

"The Jew corrupted us through bad books.

"He mocked our literature and music. His influence was destructive.

"The eventual result was our nation's collapse and then"...

-Yes, Bruno?

-I don't understand.

The nation's collapse is all down to this one man?

The Jew here means the entire Jewish race.

If it had just been one man,

I'm sure something would have been done about him.

There is such a thing as a nice Jew, though, isn't there?

I think, Bruno, if you ever found a nice Jew,

you would be the best explorer in the world.

Continue, Gretel.

"The aim of the Jew is to become the ruler of humanity.

"The Jew is not creative, but destructive.

"He is the enemy of culture.

"Thousands of Germans have been made poor by the Jew."

LOW-FLYING AIRCRAFT

Master Bruno.

What are you doing? You've just had your lunch, haven't you?

I was going for a walk and I thought I might get peckish.

Don't make a mess of your satchel.

Bring it here, I'll wrap it properly for you.

No. It's none of your business.

Bruno, what is it? What are you doing with your satchel?

Herr Liszt gave us some books.

-I'm going out on the swing to read.

-Let me see.

-What?

-The books.

-No.

-Bruno, I just want to see what books Herr Liszt has given you.

-I told a lie.

-What?

I've just got...

..adventure books.

Go on. Off you go, then.

Maria, there's two extra for supper, the Kommandant's father

and I believe Lieutenant Kotler is joining us.

Here.

HE GROANS

What's the matter?

-Don't throw it back.

-What? Why not?

-It's dangerous.

-Dangerous?

It's just a ball. Come on.

Do you not like playing?

-Just not ball games?

-Not here.

-Tell me how the number game works.

-I told you, it's not a game.

We just all have numbers.

WHISTLE BLOWS, MAN SHOUTS

Shmuel!

Bruno, what are you doing?

My ball went over. I was just getting it back.

-SNIFFS:

-Urgh.

-They smell even worse when they burn, don't they?

-What?

But, surely, you...

Elsa, I was sworn to secrecy.

-From your own wife?

-Yes.

I took an oath upon my life, do you understand?

Elsa, you believe in this, too.

-You want this country to be strong.

-No, Ralf! No!

No! Not that!

-How can you...?

-Because I'm a soldier. Soldiers fight wars.

-That isn't war!

-It's a part of it! It's a vital part of it!

The Fatherland we all desire, all of us, you included,

cannot be achieved without work such as this!

SHE SOBS

-Elsa. Elsa.

-Get away from me!

Get away from me!

SHE SOBS

Grandpa's here.

Grandpa's here.

We'll be through in a moment.

Who told you about this?

How's Grandma?

Oh, she's a bit under the weather, I'm afraid.

It's a shame, she was so much looking forward to seeing you.

-Perhaps next time, if she feels up to it.

-Oh, absolutely.

You know, Ralf,... your mother really is sick.

She's been talking about this visit for weeks.

Maybe that's what's made her sick.

So, your father tells me you've got a tutor.

-Yes. He's nice.

-But he won't let us read any adventure books.

All we do is boring old history.

Let me tell you something, young man. If it wasn't for history,

we wouldn't all be sitting round this table.

The work your father is doing here,...

..history in the making.

When I was your age, history was my favourite subject by miles.

-Which obviously didn't please my father.

-Oh? Why not?

-He was a professor of literature. At the university.

-Really?

Does he still teach?

-I don't really know.

-You don't know?

We're not in touch, my father and I.

He, erm, left the country some time ago.

Really? When?

About...four years ago, Herr Kommandant.

Well, surely he can't be very old.

What is he? Still in his forties? Late forties? Where did he go?

Lieutenant Kotler,...

..your father, the professor of literature, where did he go?

I believe it was Switzerland, Herr Kommandant.

How strange that he should choose to leave the Fatherland

at the very moment it needed him most, when we're all required

to play our part in the national revival. More wine.

What reason did he give? Was he tubercular?

Herr Kommandant?

Did he go there to take the air?

I'm afraid I don't know, Herr Kommandant. You'd have to ask him.

Well, that would be rather difficult,

with him being in Switzerland.

Come on!

What's the matter with you tonight?

Yes, perhaps that was it, perhaps he was ill.

Unless, of course, he had disagreements.

-I mean, with government policy.

-One hears of such men.

Disturbed most of them.

-Or just plain cowards.

-Even so, all of them traitors.

Absolutely right.

Presumably, if that was the case with your father,

you will have... informed your superiors, as is your duty.

-Lieutenant Kotler.

-Oh!

You cretin Jew!

Filth!

KICKING, THUMPING

GROANS

Ralf!

'Dad just sat there.'

What did you expect him to do? The Jew deserved it.

Can I ask you something? About the farm?

Oh, Bruno, you don't still think it's a farm, do you?

It's a camp.

What's called a work camp. For Jews, obviously.

Just Jews?

Because they're the best workers?

They're not in there because they're good, silly.

They're no good at anything. They're in there because they're evil.

-They're the enemy.

-The enemy? But we're fighting...

They're evil, Bruno. Evil, dangerous vermin. They're the reason

we lost the Great War. Haven't you been listening to anything

-Herr Liszt has been telling us?

-No, not really.

Dad's not horrible, is he? He's a good man.

-Of course, he is.

-But he's in charge of a horrible place.

It's only horrible for them, Bruno.

We should be prouder of Dad now than ever before.

He's making the country great again.

SCRUBBING

SIGHS

'Like you say, they're a bit strange, a bit, erm...

'Well, they're different.'

'They're the enemy, Bruno. Evil, dangerous vermin.'

'Well, you see, they're not really people at all.'

-What are you doing here?

-They wanted someone with tiny fingers.

To clean all these.

We're not supposed to be friends, you and me.

We're meant to be enemies. Did you know that?

Do you want some?

CHUCKLES

-What's your dad like?

-What's he like?

Is he a good man?

You've never thought he wasn't?

And you're proud of him?

Aren't you proud of yours?

Is it really horrible in the camp?

How dare you talk to people in the house. How dare you!

Are you eating?

Have you been stealing food?

-Answer me!

-No, sir.

He gave it to me. He's my friend.

What?

Little man?

Do you know this Jew?

-Do you know this Jew?!

-No. I just walked in and he was helping himself.

I've never seen him before in my life.

You, finish cleaning the glasses. When I come back,

we will have a little chat about what happens to rats who steal.

Come away.

BIRDSONG

CRICKETS SING

'New arrivals discover that life in the camp is not all work.

'There's ample opportunity for leisure also. At the end of their day

'in the ironmongery, woollen mill or boot factory,

'the workers can enjoy the many pastimes that the camp has to offer.

'Organised sport is very popular.

'Those that don't play certainly enjoy watching.

'At the end of the working day, the cafe is the ideal place

'for friends and families to join together for a hearty

'and nutritious meal.

'The children enjoy the pastries and cakes on offer.'

LAUGHTER

'In the evenings,

'the occasional music concerts, either by visiting orchestras

'or by talented musicians from within the camp itself,

'are always well attended.

'Other recreations include reading in the library, pottery,

'cookery, art and horticulture. For adult and child alike,

'almost any activity one could wish for is available within the camp.'

ALL CHATTER

-Bravo! Excellent!

-Thank you.

Goodbye, little man.

BIRDSONG

Shmuel! Shmuel!

I don't understand.

I saw a film, about the camp,... and it looked so nice.

I don't know why I did it.

Gretel and everyone were saying all these things.

And that soldier's so scary.

I've been coming here for days, but you were never here.

I thought... maybe... we weren't friends any more.

Shmuel, I'm really sorry for what I did.

We are still friends, aren't we?

PHONE RINGS

Where's Kurt these days? I haven't seen him for ages.

Who's Kurt?

-Lieutenant Kotler.

-Oh.

He's been moved to the front. It was felt

that his youth and enthusiasm would be put to better use there.

-Herr Kommandant, telephone.

-In actual fact, Gretel,

he was sent there because he failed to inform the authorities

-of his father's lack of loyalty to the Party.

-Which was his duty.

-Which was his bad luck.

-Bad luck?

Bad luck that it was his father who was disloyal and not his mother.

But one presumably doesn't have to report one's mother.

When will Pavel be back?

-Mum?

-Never, stupid.

It's Father. They've been bombed.

Grandmother's dead.

BELL TOLLS

..and for all who sleep in Him, who are still in the body

of the everlasting fellowship with all who await Thee on earth

and with all that are around Thee in heaven,

in union with Him, the Resurrection and the Life

who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost,

-ever one God, world without end. Amen.

-He can't have that on there.

She wouldn't have wanted it.

He does.

Almighty God... 'Have you ever been to a funeral?'

My grandma and grandpa both died just after we got here,

but there weren't any funerals.

That one there to there.

They both died at the same time? What of?

Papa said they must have caught something on the way here.

They had to go to a hospital as soon as we arrived.

We didn't see them again.

-SIGHS:

-This is fun.

-Hmmm.

Wish we could do something a bit more exciting, though.

-That one there to there.

-This one?

-This one?

-No, that one.

-This one... to here?

-No, there!

-Here?

-No!

-Here?

-No!

BOTH GIGGLE

-SIGHS:

-I don't want you to go away again.

No, neither do I.

You can't behave like this!

-You're questioning MY behaviour?!

-It can't continue!

I can't be a part of this!

-There will be questions.

-Questions?

Well, what does it say about my ability to carry out my work

if I cannot control my own family?!

-Work? Is that what you call it?

-Pull yourself together.

Right. Just ignore it. Ignore the fact

that the man I married is a monster!

Even your own mother couldn't love you!

Are you happy here?

Yes. Very.

And you, Gretel?

Well, I was, but... I do miss home. I miss my friends.

Yes, I'm sure.

And you, too, Bruno. You must miss those friends of yours, hm?

No, not any more, really.

I suppose the real question... is,

if the opportunity arose, would you prefer to live somewhere else?

Back home?

No, not Berlin. Not yet.

Somewhere safe, say, er,

Aunt Lottie's in Heidelberg, for example.

All of us? You as well?

No. That won't be possible just yet, I'm afraid.

I must stay and complete my work here.

See, at the moment, your mother is finding it...

She just feels, right now,

you need to spend some time elsewhere. Would you like that?

I'm afraid, Bruno,

in life, we often have to do things we don't want to do.

The important thing is, your mother does not feel

this is an appropriate place for you to be spending your childhood

and she's very probably right.

-But, Dad...

-No!

It's time for you to move away.

Is everything all right?

We can't find Papa.

He went on a different work duty with some of the men

and they haven't come back.

SIGHS

I've got some bad news, too. I'm going away.

-How long for this time?

-That's why it's bad.

It's forever, I think.

Mum says this is no place for children, which is just stupid.

-When do you go?

-Tomorrow. After lunch.

So I,... I won't

ever see you again?

Yes, you will. You can come on holiday to Berlin, if you like.

When everybody's getting on with each other again.

I wish I could've helped you find your dad.

I really want to make up for letting you down like I did.

That would've done it, wouldn't it? Helping you find your dad?

It would have been great, like a secret mission.

-I could dig under.

-What, with that?

-No, but I could bring something.

-You don't want to come in here.

Look!

-I could come through to your side.

-What's the point in that?

Your dad's not going to be over here, is he?

But I would stick out if I came through.

I don't look like you. WHISTLE BLOWS

You could look like me, though.

If you dressed like me and shaved your hair off.

I'm not shaving my hair off.

-You could cover it, with a cap.

-My pyjamas are a different colour.

I could bring some. There's a hut full of them.

-Thousands of them. Would you do it, though?

-I want to do it.

-Would you dare?

-I want to help find your dad.

-I've got to go.

-Tomorrow, then. I'll bring an extra big sandwich.

And don't forget the pyjamas!

BIRDSONG

-Bruno?

-Mum.

Can I go and play on the swing?

-SIGHS:

-Bruno...

-It's my last chance.

Go on, then.

PANTS

-I thought you weren't coming.

-I'm sorry. It wasn't easy to get away.

-I'm not meant to be out here today.

-You forgot the pyjamas!

-Did you bring the sandwich?

-Would I let you down?

Oh.

Here.

How do I look?

THUNDERCLAP

Right, let's get going.

Bruno?

That's enough.

HE GRUNTS

BRUNO LAUGHS

Let's go and find your dad.

Come on!

Master Bruno?

DOG BARKS

THUNDER RUMBLES

Shmuel.

-Can we go to the cafe or something?

-Cafe?

DOG BARKS Maybe I should go home.

But what about Papa?

We'll check our hut first.

Bruno?

Come on.

COUGHING, FLIES BUZZ

Papa?

MAN YELLS, CRIES

-What's happening?!

-I don't know!

-We go on marches sometimes!

-Move! Up! Up!

DOGS BARK, MEN SHOUT

-Bruno!

-He must still be outside somewhere, ma'am.

Bruno!

Bruno?

-Move!

-Quickly!

Get up!

Get up. You must.

Move them out!

GUNSHOT, BOYS GASP

..which means that our weekly capabilities will be almost trebled,

-therefore by the end...

-Ralf!

-Elsa, I'm in a meeting.

-Bruno's missing.

Come on!

Wait here.

THUNDERCLAP

-Come on.

-Move.

Move! Move!

PRISONERS GRUNT

Join the queue!

MUD SQUELCHES

BRUNO PANTS

Come on, you!

THUNDERCLAP, DOG BARKS

Bruno!

Move it!

Go on.

Bruno!

It's all right.

I think we're just waiting in here until the rain stops.

-Clothes off!

-ANGRY SHOUTING

Where are we going?

No, it's just a shower.

-A shower?

-It's just a shower.

-Herr Kommandant!

-DOG BARKS

ALL SHOUT

Open the gates! Open the gates!

SHOUTS

Move!

ALL WHIMPER

ALL SCREAM

BANGING ON DOOR

-Move!

-DOGS BARK

FLIES BUZZ

-Bruno!

-VOICE ECHOES

SHE GASPS

SHE SOBS

SHE WAILS

SHE SCREAMS

SHE CRIES UNCONTROLLABLY