User Reviews

I did not mean to watch the whole movie when I turned it on with the intention of pausing it until I had caught up on some sleep. As you might guess, I was riveted to the story. I remarked to myself with astonishment toward the end that the boy who acted as the protagonist, Alex, had been in every single scene. The young actor, Jordan Kiziuk, carried the entire film. He gave his all to produce the emotion that each scene demanded. The story is semi-biographical based on the novel by Uri Orlev. I might have guessed it as I had read his other book with similarities of a Polish Jewish boy who was also in the Warsaw Ghetto titled Run Boy, Run and it too was made into a film Lauf Junge, Lauf. Other parts were supporting although with big stars playing some roles, Jordan Kiziuk did not even get top billing. Can you believe it? The Danish director held everything together and had a genuine feel for the time, place, and drama that was playing out as young Alex tried so hard to be a survivor. Jordan Kiziuk sounds English but like the character he plays his name is Polish, not a coincidence then that the boy who played the protagonist in Run Boy, Run, Andrzej Tkacz, was also born in Warsaw. What am I trying to say? Well, if you saw Run Boy, Run you will like The Island On Bird Street and vice versa. Oh! And I just realized that by telling you this story is semi-biographical I have included a spoiler because you know the boy in each movie survives.

I came to know the existence of this in the movie recommendations when I saw "Hope and Glory" earlier. And while "Hope and Glory" is the much more well-known one and is well-acclaimed along with several Academy Award nominations, "The Island on Bird Street" is my personal favorite.

"Hope and Glory" is not like other ordinary war films. It has taken an alternative approach in the portrait of the war time.

Still, both films share a lot of similarities. Both are set in the WWII, and both have a child as the protagonist.

"Hope and Glory", however, seems to have a lighter theme throughout and concentrates rather on seeking happiness under hard times than on the fear and the harrowing experiences. The film gives us a different view on the war through a child's eyes, with the innocence, the curiosity, and the inherent purity.

While I do like such a distinctive way of storytelling and realistic display, "The Island on Bird Street" does more for me.

With darker overtones, this is closer to the type of the usual war movies. It is special and different in terms of its unique and original plot. Based on the real experiences of the author, "The Island on Bird Street" is adapted from a book which is an autobiography. Like in "Hope and Glory", the audience can see the WWII through a child's eyes.

Nevertheless, this film has a much higher extent of focus. We follow Alex, a Polish boy, throughout the whole movie. As his father was taken away by the Nazis and his uncle killed for trying to save him, he was left on his own and the adventure began. He was determined to wait for the return of the father so he stayed in the same place, gathered resources, and built a temporary shelter. He later got to meet some other people and as the story progresses, we get to discover Alex's true nature and a lot more of his qualities are revealed.

Like any other ordinary children, Alex was scared of the German troops and spent most of the time avoiding them while safely finding food and water. He also loved his family and valued it very much. But when the circumstances required him to, he could also be very brave and a character of great independence. He was also very kindhearted and determined.

"The Island on Bird Street" is brilliant because it has beautifully captured all the important moments in a distant memory.

The scenes form a thrilling adventure as we closely follow Alex. When he gets scared, the audience gets scared for him. When he gets happy, the audience gets happy for him. This movie has the ability to make the audience connect with the main character, and while enjoying an exciting adventure of fear, the audience gets to know Alex better and better as the plot develops.

In some other parts of the movie there is also a display of kindness by other people. The interaction between Alex and the other characters was superb. The whole story is a very believable and realistic experience for the audience. It also tells us that despite the sorrow of living in such hard times, it is still essential for people to stay together and help one another, and never give up that faint spot of hope left in your heart, and that was what Alex did. The movie has allowed us to see the usually hidden kind nature of human beings when it comes to wars.

The young boy Jordan Kiziuk who played Alex has given the audience an amazing performance in the movie. He had been through a lot of emotions through the film and his acting was splendid. The audience can sense the fear and the hope inside of him, and his determination in believing that his father would return. The power of his acting makes the film a piece of astonishment to watch. The other characters are very good too, giving all sorts of very believable and well-done performances.

"The Island on Bird Street" is a vivid and true story about the adventure of a Polish boy in the WWII. The adventure itself is very exciting, and the acting is over the top. The connection between the audience and the characters is very strong. The audience is able to touch the fear and feel the hope of Alex, and embark on a ultimately moving journey of thrill, depression, faith and much more.

I will definitely recommend this to my family and friends, and I hope you will too. I do not understand why this movie is so unnoticed, carrying only a couple hundred votes. This movie is certainly a great war movie at the masterpiece level.