Differences Between The Movie And The Book Thief

Hollywood adaptations of books often lose crucial details and characterization that result in books often being viewed as superior to their movies. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a prime example of this. Both the book and movie display a common theme of the power of words and express this theme though similar plots. However, the book is better because the details are greater, characterization is more thorough, and as the theme in both describes, words are power.
The book and movie share very similar plots, however there are key details that progress the plot in different ways. To start, Liesel steals many more books in the book opposed of the movie. This is a major difference because Liesel stealing books is of course the basis of the

book but also they key device used to convey the theme of the power of words. The book also has many more details about the relationship of Liesel and the mayor's wife. This is important because Liesel’s relationship with the mayor’s wife supports Liesel’s love for books and knowledge. The mayor’s wife and Liesel also have a great conflict in the book that is not mentioned as much in the movie. This conflict is resolved however through their love for books and words which supports the central theme. The details in the book help emphasize specific points and themes that are not made as important in the movie.
Both the book and movie share the same characters, however we learn much more about each character in the book opposed to the movie. In the book, Hans is more compassionate. Though in both Hans get into trouble for helping a Jew, Hans helps a man he does not know in the book. In the movie, Hans tries to save his friend, but in the book Hans is helping an innocent man he has never met. This shows how he was willing to risk so much for someone he does not no and how much he cares for the innocent Jews. On the other side, Liesel and Rudy are more rebellious in the movie than in the book. In the movie, Rudy plans on running away. When Liesel catches up to him in the woods, they begin to yell “I hate Hitler!” This is ironic because earlier in the movie and book, Hans tells Liesel never to speak out against Hitler. However, in this scene Liesel is deliberately disobeying her father's orders. The way that we know characters influences our view on them in certain scenes in the book and movie and these differences between the ways characters are described could lead to different interpretations of their actions and ultimately the message they are trying to convey.
The book and movie share the same theme, which is that words are power.

The book shows this theme by displaying the ways that words have changed Liesel's life. This has been both positive and negative. In a positive way, words have given Liesel knowledge. At the beginning of the book Liesel is illiterate, but not long after her discovery of The Grave Digger’s Handbook she learns to read These words allow Liesel to look at the world in a whole new light. However as she becomes more intellectual, she begins to realize the negative ways in which words have power. We start to see this transition on page 115, “‘Is my mother a communist?’ Staring. Straight ahead. ‘They were always asking her things, before I came here.’ Hans edged forward a little, forming the beginnings of a lie. ‘I have no idea - I never met her.’ ‘Did the Führer taker her away?’” In this quote, Liesel begins to realize the problems that Hitler cause and that his words and propaganda are the source to Liesel’s struggles. Both the book and movie display this theme, however the book emphasizes the positive ways that words are power more so than the movie does. The movie puts a greater emphasis on how words can control people in a negative aspect more than a positive aspect. This is a key difference between the book and

movie.
Both the book and movie convey similar points and themes despite their differences in detail, characterization, and theme. However these differences put more emphasis on the theme and meaning in the book opposed to the movie. Though both display similar thoughts, the way these themes and ideas are portrayed with the details and characters connect the reader to the ideas of the book more than the movie ever could. And, therefore, the book is greater for its ability to convey its ideas through detail, characterization, and themes.