The Island on Bird Street
by Sren Kragh-Jacobsen
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DVD details
Actor: Heather Tobias, James Bolam, Michael Byrne, Patrick Bergin, Suzanna HamiltonDirector: Sren Kragh-Jacobsen
Brand: First Look Pictures
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 102 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-04-01
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: First Look Pictures
DVD Reviews of The Island on Bird Street
DVD Review: Amazing story of a boy's resilience during the Holocaust
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on the 1985 semi-autobiographical novel by Israeli author Uri Orlev, "The Island on Bird Street" portrays a young Jewish boy's attempts to survive in a ghetto in Poland during WW II. Young Alex [Jordan Kizuik] is reassured by his father Stefan[Patrick Bergin] that he will return to find Alex upon the war's end [Stefan had been selected for deportation]. Alex manages to escape a similar fate or worse by eluding the Nazis, with the help of his old uncle [Jack Warden] who sacrifices his life to save Alex.
Upon the ghetto's liquidation, Alex finds himself totally isolated and having to rely upon his wits to survive. His only constant companion is "Snow", a white mouse and Alex is also sustained by reading and re-reading passages from Robinson Crusoe [which also inspires him to survive using whatever resources he can find].
The drama of Alex's survival unfolds at a steady and suspenseful pace - Alex soon discovers that there are other Jewish refugees just like him who are hiding in the ravaged ghetto and time and again, he sees these Jews being caught by the Nazis whilst eluding capture himself. By sheer ingenuity, Alex builds a sort of treehouse for himself in one of the derelict buildings in the ghetto and stares out of a window out onto the other side of the ghetto, where Polish Gentiles lead relatively ordinary lives, seemingly untouched by the Nazi atrocities. Eventually, events necessitate Alex's venturing out to the Aryan side, and though he realises the risks, Alex's adventurous streak wins over his caution. He is also lucky in coming across Polish Gentiles who sympathise with his plight, such as a Catholic priest, a Polish doctor who works for the Polish underground, and even makes a friend, a young girl who is kind and accepting of Alex, even after finding out that he's a Jew.
Despite everything, Alex is adamant and determined to wait the war out in the remnants of the ghetto - and hoping against hope that he will be reunited with his father. Alex's resilience shines through every scene, as does his extraordinary courage, and the young actor that plays Alex has done an amazing job in bringing credibility to his role as the young boy with an indomitable spirit.
"The Island on Bird Street" is a unique Holocaust drama as it focuses on one individual's experience, that of a young boy. Another Holocaust drama that is told from a young boy's viewpoint is "Fateless", about a young Hungarian boy's experiences in a concentration camp during WW II. Both movies are quality productions with strong leads and a compelling storyline. Note to parents and teachers : there are scenes of some characters including Alex drinking liquor, and also one scene with nudity [of Alex's entire back as he is taking a shower].
Description of The Island on Bird Street
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