All The Light We Cannot See: Netflix Mini Series review

The popular Pulitzer-winning book “All The Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr has now been turned into a short TV series by Netflix. It came out on November 2, 2023, and people who loved the book are really excited to see the version made for TV by Steven Knight.

This Netflix mini-series “All The Light We Cannot See,” directed by Shawn Levy, is four-part series. It centers on a blind French girl and a young German soldier. Their story unfolds during the tough times in Nazi-occupied France, close to the end of World War II.

This series gives us a raw glimpse into the terror of Nazi rule. It steers a bit away from the deep personal journeys that the book focuses on. Instead of diving into Marie-Laure’s life as a blind person or Werner’s inner turmoil from his role in the war, it zooms out. It shows us the broader horrors of that time. The show keeps the book’s historical backdrop but simplifies the characters’ emotional landscapes

Those who loved the book might miss how Anthony Doerr delved into the characters’ lives. The series touches less on Marie’s days without her father. It also lightly covers Werner’s life-changing run-ins with illegal radios. The show keeps the setting and the time period from the book. But it doesn’t go as deep into what Marie-Laure and Werner feel and think. The big moments of their lives, so richly detailed in the book, get less attention on the screen.

Still, the series does well at showing the era’s difficulties. It brings out the wartime dread, even if it doesn’t go all the way into the characters’ big life changes. The show tells us about Marie-Laure adjusting to life without her dad. It also tells us about Werner’s questions about his duties. But these parts are not as clear and detailed as in the book.

Yet, the show has its strengths. The powerful visual storytelling pulls you into the fear and tension of the war. This does follow the book’s portrayal of those harsh times. It’s emotionally strong and gives us a peek into the characters’ lives. This peek, though short, still has a lot of impact.

In the book, we get really close to Marie-Laure and Werner. We walk with them through their challenges. We see their worries, hopes, and how they mature. The book spends time on their development. The show, however, doesn’t focus on this growth as much. It rather shows the overall dreadfulness of the war.

That doesn’t take away from the show’s quality. It’s quite gripping in showing the darkness of the war era. The filming makes you feel present in the midst of the action. It brings out the emotions and makes you care, even without the deep dive into the protagonists’ individual stories.

Even if the show skips some finer character details, it’s still a powerful depiction of wartime life. It’s a good pick for anyone who enjoys historical dramas. It’s full of action and emotion that will keep you engaged.

In summary, the mini-series does a respectable job of adapting the book for the screen. It’s shorter and less detailed, but it’s a strong story about war. If you’re fine with not getting every detail and want to watch a gripping war story, this series is a good choice. It’s a quick tour rather than an in-depth journey, which is what the book offers. The show excels in atmospheric storytelling. Its powerful visuals evoke the war’s terror and align with the book’s stark portrayal of those times.