 |
The perfect family film to teach younger viewers about The Holocaust. Donna Deitch’s Holocaust fantasy drama The Devil’s Arithmetic (1999) is a sincerely moving piece to educate kids and their parents about the atrocities committed by the German Nazis during World War II. I’d say The Devil’s Arithmetic would be perfect for middle schoolers on up to learn about Germany’s attempt at annihilating the Jewish people. The Devil’s Arithmetic is far superior to other TV movies. It’s like a mini Schindler’s List for kids as strange as that sounds. Donna Deitch’s direction is really interesting. From grounded and natural 1990’s aesthetic that I love so dearly. She relates to teenagers with a sarcastic tone of nonchalance and disaffected attitude towards parents, then hits you hard with the reality of Jewish people suffering in concentration camps. I love Deitch’s use of shadows and light in particular in The Devil’s Arithmetic. Characters’ faces will vanish and appear out of darkness and be enshrouded by ethereal light that makes the movie have a haunting tone. The camp itself fades into darkness with Deitch’s intriguing effect. Most of the character interactions are filmed with medium shots to focus your attention to the stellar performances. Deithch’s directorial style is creative and striking. Kirsten Dunst is outstanding as she endears you to her apathetic Hannah Stern who has an epiphany that being Jewish is apart of her identity. Dunst conveys how shocking, scary, and mortifying The Holocaust is to someone unfamiliar with its events. She is an empathetic viewpoint into history and Dunst is so very moving in The Devil’s Arithmetic. Kirsten Dunst is my favorite actress and even at a young age she was killing every performance with realistic and emotional acting. Brittany Murphy is amazing as Rivkah. She adorable Polish accent is both sweet and accurate. She pulls you into the 1940’s wartime immediately. Murphy was a wonderful actress who continuously delivered powerful supporting actress roles ranging from Clueless, Freeway, Girl, Interrupted, and The Devil’s Arithmetic. She was an immensely talented actress that I miss terribly. Brittany Murphy just looks so sad that you feel the tragedy of The Holocaust all that much more profoundly. Louise Fletcher makes a kind turn as Aunt Eva in a touching performance alongside Dunst. I really like her in The Devil’s Arithmetic. Mimi Rogers has a nice cameo as Dunst’s mother Mrs. Stern. Paul Freeman is compelling as the Rabbi. You really despise Daniel Brocklebank as the German concentration camp commander Shmuel. I should also mention the lovely performance from Lilo Baur as Mina, who is very expressive and captivating in her own right. Frédéric Talgorn’s score is surprisingly memorable and moving. He was clearly going for John Williams’ iconic compositions for Schindler’s List, but he does a fantastic job crafting a unique sound for The Devil’s Arithmetic. Overall, Donna Deitch did a phenomenal job directing The Devil’s Arithmetic as a worthy adaptation of Jane Yolen’s young adult novel.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
The book, The Devil's Arithmetic, sat on my classroom library shelf for at least 3 years before I picked it up this summer. It was written in a way that appealed not only to teens, but I had a hard time putting it down as well. I read the book to my 5th/6th grade students. They were spellbound. I showed the dvd to my class last week. They were somewhat disappointed with the movie because it was quite different from the book and a lot of important details were left out. If you hadn't read the book first it would probably have been more interesting. Still a interesting story.
Like both of the main actresses. And found out that Mimi Rodgers is also in this movie another one of my favorites
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Devils Arithmetic reveals a teenager, Hannah, with luke warm appreciation of her family and it's roots. Her selfish attitude is overturned as she "enters" into the past of the Nazi regime in 1941 Poland. Because she was "from the future" she quickly understood the plight of all the Jewish people who were taken to the concentration camps. The changes wrought by living in the camps only increased Hannah's appreciation for her past life. Perhaps the greatest lesson learned is that we all should appreciate all we have for it may not be there tomorrow.
What a great movie at a great price. Thank You! hruny00
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
![The Devil's Arithmetic [New DVD] - Picture 1 of 1](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DQMAAOSwIUFbVqdy/s-l500.jpg)
