The Book Thief

One small fact.

You are going to die.

Despite every effort,

no one lives forever.

Sorry to be such a spoiler.

My advice is, when the

time comes, don't panic.

It doesn't seem to help.

I guess I should

introduce myself properly.

But then again,

you'll meet me soon enough.

Not before your time, of course.

I make it a policy

to avoid the living.

Well, except sometimes.

Once in a very long time...

I can't help myself.

I get interested.

I don't know exactly what it

was about Liesel Meminger.

But she caught me.

Mama.

And I cared.

Do you want to say a few words?

Goodbye my darling

She would have kept you

if she could have.

You know that, don't you?

Here we are. Come, Liesel.

Meet your new parents.

Come.

Hans Hubermann.

Heinrich.

Heinrich.

Where is the boy?

He died.

What do you mean?

On the way here.

They had to bury him by the tracks.

They promised us two children,

with two allowances.

Rosa, you cannot

blame the boy for dying.

No, I blame his mother.

Dragging them across the

country unfed, unwashed!

She was running for her life.

Have you seen that girl?

Filthy.

Everything they say about communists

is true. Dirty and stupid.

I'll speak as loud as I want.

Come.

Come!

What is the matter with her?

Your Majesty.

What are you brats looking at?

This is Heaven Street,

your new home.

Hey, lover boy! Can we get

on with the game now?

Please, go in.

Well, go on.

What do you say?

They have given us a mute.

Go upstairs.

Where is it?

That one.

It's for you.

Hans!

Ja, my sunshine?

Good morning, Your Majesty.

Would you stop that racket?

What do you say?

Thank you.

It speaks?

Now, listen, from now on

you call me "Mama," ja?

Say it.

Mama.

Good.

And that Saukerl,

that lazy pig over there...

you call him "Papa. "

Understood?

Papa.

Who is that?

Who is it?

Rudy Steiner, Frau Hubermann.

What do you want?

My mother says you've

got a daughter now.

What's it to you?

I'm here to take her to school.

Why can't people ever

mind their own business?

Hello, Rudy.

Hello!

And what makes you think you are

good enough for my daughter?

Rudy.

I'm almost 12.

Liesel, eat your soup

and go and get dressed.

Stay outside, you filthy Saukerl.

Hurry up, Liesel.

Do you like to run?

I bet I could beat you.

No one has ever

beaten me in a race.

You don't say much, do you?

Is that one spit, "Yes,"

and two spits, "No"?

I'm glad we

understand each other.

My mother didn't really tell

me to come and get you.

I just thought

you might need a friend.

Danke schn!

Rudy!

What are you up to?

Nothing, Papa.

Then get to school.

Come on.

You are?

Frau Hubermann's new daughter.

I was not addressing you, Steiner.

Girl, speak.

Liesel Meminger.

Chalk, board, name.

Come, girl.

We don't have all day.

Write it.

Silence.

Silence!

Back to your seat, now.

Silence.

Dummkopf!

Dummkopf! Dummkopf!

Hey, Dummkopf.

Can't you even read yet?

Go on. Read one word.

Read something.

Dummkopf.

She's killing him!

I bet that wasn't your first fight.

Franz Deutscher hasn't

been hit like that...

since he peed in

Tommy Muller's lunchbox.

Franz Deutscher

doesn't sound very smart.

He's the dumbest kid in school.

But he shaves.

You remember how to get home?

Just because I can't read

doesn't make me stupid.

All right.

I'll follow you, then.

You could join our

soccer team, you know?

Look, you should probably just

stop trying to be my friend...

because I won't be

here long enough.

Why not?

I'm running away.

That's why not.

Where to?

None of your business.

Well, let me know when.

Why?

So I can come with you.

You don't understand.

I'm serious.

I have to find my mother.

Frau Hubermann?

Nein, Dummkopf.

My real mother.

Great.

I'd like to meet her.

What are you doing now?

Racing you.

I'll bet you a kiss I can beat you.

Why would I want to kiss you?

I don't know.

What does that matter?

I'm the one who's going to win.

Just to the end of the street.

And what if I win?

You don't have to kiss me.

Ever?

What do you care?

You're not sticking around, right?

Hey! Saumensch!

You cheated.

So what?

I beat you.

Did not.

It was a draw.

Draw means I get the kiss.

You can stick your kiss.

Oh, my God.

She's going to kill you.

Who?

If you think that I am

some kind of pushover...

you are very much mistaken.

Do you hear?

I have just come to say good night.

What is this?

Is it yours?

Why would a nice girl like you

want to read such a thing?

Are you sure this is yours?

It wasn't always mine.

It belonged to my brother.

I see.

Your brother...

his name was Pieter Strauss?

Do you know what this says?

Do you want to know what it says?

I'm not such a good

reader myself, you know.

We will have to

help each other out.

Ja?

We better get started.

"The Gravedigger's Handbook. "

Raise the red flags

for German effort

we want to pave the way to freedom

For German effort

we want to pave the way to freedom

We do not create a brother pact

with Jews or non-Germanics

Because they falsify

the liberty certificate

of Germany's people

Walter.

Listen, he told me

he can only take one.

Take Max.

No, Mama.

Take him! Go!

I won't leave without you.

Yes, you will.

Upon your father's grave, you will.

There's no time for heroics, Max.

One or none.

Come.

The papers are inside.

They don't look great,

but they'll have to do.

Go find him.

Forgive me.

When I finally caught up

with Max Vandenberg's soul...

it was this moment

that haunted him the most.

For leaving his mother.

For feeling that awful,

light-headed relief...

that he would live.

Jesse Owens is

the fastest man on earth.

Hey, watch out, you two.

What are you doing, Papa?

Working, for once.

I thought you painted signs,

not scraped them off.

Well, the scraping-off

business is picking up, Rudy.

What can you do?

"Accountant. "

You make me proud, girl.

She's clever, Rudy.

Ja, sir.

What's an accountant?

Something we will never need.

"We wish you...

"every success...

"with your...

"career...

Mmm.

"In the funeral...

"Business. "

"Funeral business. "

We made it.

Your first book.

Congratulations.

So, promise me one thing, Liesel.

If I die anytime soon,

make sure they bury me right.

Ja?

Ja.

No skipping chapter six.

Can we start again?

Tomorrow.

But it is tomorrow.

You sleep now.

His name was Werner.

Come.

I have a surprise for you.

It's very dark here.

We had better turn on the light.

It's a dictionary.

Some of the words we have learned.

Add as many as you like.

It's yours.

Thank you, Papa.

He's done it!

He's made history!

Jesse Owens...

the fastest man alive!

Hey!

What is this?

Ow!

You want to remain a member?

Teach your son!

Why?

Why Jesse Owens?

Why?

He's the fastest man on earth.

The fastest man on earth!

The boy is crazy.

- Ow! That hurts.

- Sit still, Rudy.

It's even in his earholes.

Barbra...

Fine, you deal with him.

Son...

you can't go around painting

yourself black, you hear?

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