All language subtitles for The Courageous Heart Of Irena Sendler

Be careful, it's hot.

Here you go.

MAN: I'll write
something down...

[grunting]

Irena Sendler.

Your work?

Department of Social Services.

Yes, I see that.

My question is about today.
What is your work today?

Why are you here?

Inspection
of the refugee centers.

Prevent the spread of typhus.

You Poles must solve
this problem.

It is a disgrace.

[playing mournful tune]

[men arguing indistinctly]

[speaking
in foreign language]

Please, please,
my family...

WOMAN:
Will you give me something?

Please, please,
just a little bit...

[excited shouting]

[whispers]:
Take it. Go, go.

[people conversing indistinctly]

What do you think
you're doing? Huh?

You don't want any?

[phone ringing]

Yes?

WOMAN:
Irena, it is Zofia.

Yes.

I know that it is curfew,
but can you come?

Yes, I will come right away.

How soon?

I will walk, so... 20 minutes.

Come now. Hurry!

Please stay calm.

WOMAN:
Irenka?

It is all right, Mama.
Go back to sleep.

[bell tolling]

[wind howling]

[gruff voices]

[knocking]

Thank God you are here.

Where is she?

With Krzysztof.

Tonight when Krzysztof
came home,

the way our neighbors
looked at him...

We were betrayed.
I just know.

I'm sorry, Irena.

If the Germans find us
hiding a Jew,

they will execute us.I know. I know.

Shh.

It's all right.
It's all right.

Hello, Anna.

Dear Anna...

You do not need
to be afraid.
[sobs]

And tonight, you're
going to stay with me.

Would you like that?

Mm-hmm.

Is that you?

Yes.

And this is my father.

Where is he?

He died.

So did mine.

Mama,

you should not be up.

Believe me, I know.

Hello, sweetheart.

Anna, this is my mother.

Look what I have for you.

[gasps]:
Look at that.

Oh!

Time for bed.

How many mothers
do you have?

I just have one.

Already, I had three.

Shh.

Shh.

Why do they not like me?

Who does not like you?

My mothers.

Your mothers love you.

And I love you.

And I will always love you.

Go to sleep.

Mama, we have to go.

Ah. Here.

Meow!

It is safe to take her
out in broad daylight?

She passes as Christian.

Are you worried?

Not one bit.

Mama, hmm?

Ah, good.

Eva will love it.

It's perfect.

[mutters]
Mama.

Take your medicine.

Oh...

Meow, meow...
Beep!

Mama.

[sighs]
Please.

[groans]

[gurgling]

[gurgling]

[both giggling]

ANNA: The cat is counting,
playing Hide and Seek.

[both laughing]

You make me laugh.

You are so smart, girl.

[Anna speaking indistinctly]

[men conversing in German]

I'm Polish.
I live in the...

Hello, Anna.

Anna, this is Miss Jadwiga.

Hello, sweetie.
Come in.

Thank you.
Come in.

Anna, you can play with
Miss Jadwiga's children

while I find you a
lovely place to live.

Good girl.

Help her.

Come on. Let me help you with
your coat, here.

There we go.

She has passed outside
the ghetto all this time.

There must be a Polish
family who can take her.

Not any we know
personally.

I will ask Monsignor Godlewski.

He will know someone
we can trust.

Wait, wait, you mean now?

His soup kitchen
is on my way.

You're going to the ghetto?

Yes. I'll see you later.

Irena, you remember
we had a meeting

with Public Housing?

Be charming.
Give nothing.

[indistinct voices]

Monsignor Godlewski,
good morning.

Irena.

What do you hear?

In the last two weeks, they have
filled 20 train cars of Jews

in Luxembourg and Vienna.

Deported them all
to the ghetto in Lodz.

And here, every day
they bring more.

You know we are
doing all we can

to help Jews survive
outside the ghetto.

Yes, yes, I know.
Of course.

And today, I have a little
girl and no Polish family

to hide her.

It is more difficult now.

Perhaps in your
congregation?

[whispering]:
Irena, please!

Of all people, you know
the risk for a Polish family.

Even so, is it not possible
that there are some,

maybe even many Poles, who want
to help, but do not know how?

Yes, yes, yes.

It is possible.

Eva.

Irena.

Come. Come in.

Good morning, Hannah.

Oh, Irena.

Always such a faithful friend.

God bless you.

Rabbi Rosenfeld.

Irena, how are you
this fine day?

Is this work for a rabbi?

We all must live
with dignity.

Especially in days
of hatred.

Miss Irena, Miss Irena!

Karolyna.

Or should I say, the famous
Miss Nijinska, prima ballerina?

Do you know
what I learned to do?

Do you want to see?

Of course. You
must show me.

Brava.

How is your mother?

Well enough, if she behaves.

And your Jacob?

Last week, he came back into
the ghetto to hug his daughter.

And to kiss you, I am sure.

Maybe, yes. A little.

I brought a
few things.

Oh.

Let me.

Let me.

And this.

I brought you this skirt.

Irena.

You made this?

Can you imagine me putting
two stitches together?

Then your mother?She misses you.

So do I.

Oh, my dearest friend
in the whole world.

Please.

Thank her.

Eva, I need
to talk with you.

Over the last few weeks,

they have deported 20 freight
cars of Jews from Austria

to the ghetto at Lodz.

Yes, we heard last night.

The Jewish Council says they
are headed for work camps.

Eva, your Jewish Council
was appointed by Germans.

How many years have we listened
to their terrible propaganda,

what they say about Jews,

what they say
they have in mind?

It is just talk.

Rumor.

Who can believe it?

These are cultured people.

Anyway, we are almost 500,000
in this ghetto.

What could they do?

Yes.

Yes, I know.

[sobbing]

It is so confusing.

One day, someone says
something is true.

Another hears it's not.

Every morning, I wake up,
my body is cold.

We have to get you all
out of here.

They would never leave.

I could never leave them.

I could find Polish families
willing to hide you.

Those people believe it is
better to stay all together,

inside the wall.

I want you safe.

All of you.

Irena.

What is safe?

Where?

[indistinct voices]

Good morning, Miss Irena.

Good morning, Dr. Majkowski.

Have you had a chance
to consider my...

Yes, yes.

I have selected your friend,
Maria Debinska

to join your department.

Thank you, Doctor.

Good morning.Good morning.

Good morning, Miss Irena.

Maria.

Welcome to our
little department.

Thank you.
My thanks to you.

Good morning, Miss Irena.

You missed
an exciting meeting.

IRENA:
Issued today--

the new ration card.

2,613 calories a day
for Germans,

699 calories for Poles.

300 calories
for residents of the ghetto.

So we will have starvation
along with the typhus epidemic.

And winter almost here.

We will need to bring in food,

clothing, medicine.

Maria, talk to Dr. Majkowski.

See how much typhus
vaccine you can get.

Yes.

Since the occupation,
Jadwiga has done a brilliant job

of trying to balance
an impossible budget.

But...

But, if we continue
to spread our services

across every district of Warsaw,

we will not be
helping anyone.

From now on, we must focus
our full attention

on the Jewish ghetto.

Excuse me,
Miss Irena?

The Jewish quarter
is not our problem.

Why not?

The Germans put them there
to protect us.

Protect us from what?

Maria, you are a nurse.
You know very well.

What do I know?

Tell me.

They have lice,

spread disease, and...

You know
what I am talking about.

Danuta, if the Jews are sick,

it is because the Germans
put them there.

One reason, another reason.

What does it matter?

All I know is I am not going to
bring typhus home to my family.

Whatever it is
you are thinking,

I am sorry.
I cannot be part of it.

Anyone else who does not agree
with this direction,

I will arrange
a department transfer.

Stefania, you have only been
with us two months.

I have not yet been inside the
walls, but I know I must do it.

Very good.

Later, we go to
the refugee center.

[accordion plays plaintive tune]

Stefania.

We are at war.
You are a soldier now.

A soldier must be tough
or she cannot fight.

[child wailing]

[wailing continues]

Hold her. Hold her
still. Good, good.

Why do you bother?

Because we want your child
to survive.

If you want her to live,
please take her from me.

Get her out of here.

[girl crying]

I'm begging you. Take her.

I am sorry. It is not possible.

Next, please come sit.
Please, next.

[girl wailing]

[floorboards creak]

Please, Mama, go back to bed.

I am fine.

Do not worry.

What is it?

Tell me.

Irena.

Oh...

Irenka, tell me what.

Today, I understood something.

Something about what?

I thought I was doing
all I could, but...

the truth is
I am doing nothing.

Nothing?

Is it my imagination, or
was there a little Jewish child

sleeping in your bed last night?

One child is not enough.

Oh, Irena.

You are so like your father.

Little Anna has always
lived outside the ghetto.

Inside the walls, there
are thousands of children

who could be rescued.

Take them out?

Is that what you are thinking?

Past the Gestapo?

The German soldiers,

the Jewish police?

How is that possible?

You are a social worker.

A good social worker...

...with the biggest
heart I know.

But to risk everything

for something you
know nothing about...

No.

I remember
what Father used to say.

You see a man drowning,

you must try to save him,
even if you cannot swim.

You're welcome.
And you?

BOY:
Two loaves, please,
and a quarter kilo of butter.

WOMAN:
You are a Jew.

No, no, no...

One of those filthy little
smugglers from the ghetto.

No, I am Polish.

Let us see you make
the sign of the cross.

Come on. Go on. Do it.

Every day, I pray to God this
boy learns to live in the city,

but the way he looks
and how he behaves,

can you imagine what
we have been through?

Come along.

[gasping and murmuring]

With this red hair,

you do not think
you look Jewish?

And get yourself a cap.Yes, Miss.

If you want to survive
outside the ghetto,

you must lie with
more conviction.

And learn to
cross yourself,

like this. Now you.

Again, quickly.

Very good.
Get out of here.

Wait!

MAN: Jasio, I have to go
out on police patrol.

But I do not want
you going out after curfew.

They can shoot you on the spot.

Why risk your life to
smuggle a few potatoes?

Huh? I make enough. Hey.

You are a traitor!Hey.

Can you not understand?

I only do what I do
so that we can survive.

It is you who does
not understand...

Mr. Policeman!

[wind howling]

IRENA:
I want to help children
inside the ghetto.

It is very dangerous.

Too dangerous.

Yes, probably,
but what would it take?

Well, I suppose, an organized
network of people you trust.

Enough money
for each child's room and board.

And if you agree,

more Polish families willing
to hide a Jewish child.

I will try
and find some.

What about identity cards?

If I destroy
some parish death certificates,

issue
new baptismal certificates,

that is all the proof Germans
need for an identity card.

[door opening]

The only thing
is how to get them out.

There is someone
you must talk to,

a young man who is smuggling
potatoes from the Aryan side.

He works in Korczak's orphanage.

Ask him to introduce you
to Stefan Kaminski.

Kaminski?

Yes. That is him.

Good morning,
Herr...

[children chattering]

IRENA:
Professor Korczak?

How many children live
inside the ghetto?

Including all the ones
who live in the streets,

there must be at least 80,000.

Half under the age of ten.

Be brave now.
[gasping]

Have you ever tried
to get any out?

Out to where?

Not so many Poles want
to hide a Jewish child.

And how many Jews

would let their children
live with gentiles?

What about orphans,
these ones?

Even if you found a way,

most of mine could not
survive outside the wall.

Why not?

It's the language.
She speaks Yiddish.

Is that not right, hmm?

They all speak
excellent Yiddish.

Polish--
that is another matter.

And they are all beautiful.

But most are not
passable as Aryan.

Irena.

Hello, Stefan.

Hello, Irena.

Kaminski, Irena
came to see you.

You attended my
classes together.

Yes.

A long time ago.

[children chatting loudly]

Kaminski, let me
deal with this.

Horrible little savages
right here, huh?

[squealing]

[chuckles]

I have, uh, found something
here with Professor Korczak

and the children.

I am glad.

But you still
smuggle potatoes?

Irena Sendler, always
straight to the point.

Tell me how.

I know a few safe ways
to get out.

Blind spots the Germans
have overlooked.

There's the courthouse.

Which courthouse?

On Leszno Street.

There's also an entrance
from the ghetto side,

and a friend... with a key.

And the others?

I can show you.

[man chanting in Hebrew]

MEN:
Amen.

[chanting in Hebrew]

MEN:
Amen...

[chanting continues]

The main sewer line
goes all the way down

to the central junction
under Gdanski station.

And from there?

Anywhere you want.

One line goes
under Okopowa Street;

another goes
under Marszalkowska;

and a third line goes under New
Town and Miodowa Street.

STEFAN:
The Germans keep
the court so busy,

they have forgotten
this entrance.

You remember our summer walks
along the Vistula River?

Every step.

Shall we?

Welcome to Warsaw.

Thank you, Stefan.

We will use
this way first.

Be careful.

You know me.

That is what I mean.

Be careful about yourself.

WOMAN:
Come!

Hurry!

[children laughing]

[man speaking German]

Hello.

My name is Irena.

Can you tell me yours?

The boy who sits
beside you every day--

is he your brother?

He died.

I am sorry.

Can you tell me
where you live?

All right.

Come with me.

We have hot soup
just made for you.

Are you going to get
her changed in here?Yes, I think this

is a good idea.
This will fit nicely...

Oh, you're so hungry.All right, let's see...

We need to do something
about her hair.

Shall we braid it?That's a good idea.
Please help, if you would.

All right, okay, let's
take this coat off.

Very good girl.

This beautiful girl.

Who'd give her away?

That will keep
you warm, hey?

Oh, much better.

Good girl.

You are going
to look so beautiful.

Yeah?
Ready for a little walk

in the courthouse?

[chuckles]

[indistinct voices]

Come along, sweetie.
We must...

Such a little troublemaker.

You have no idea.

[laughing]

Come along, sweetheart.

Come along.

[men shouting in German]

Rabbi.

For me?

Such a dashing fashion
for a rabbi.

And for you,
Miss Nijinska...

Oh, yes,

I remember this book.

[knocking]

Welcome, come in.
Come in and welcome.

Rabbi, thank you so much.Welcome...

So many people
without shelter.Very kind.

Eva, Anna, come!

This way.Help me, please!

Now, this is perfect.

Let us read
a little bit.

Thank you.Blankets here for you.

It's so cold outside.

This will do
very well, Rabbi.

Come on.

[Rabbi speaking indistinctly]

MAN:
Here, sit here.
Take your bottle.

Is your little
girl all right?

[sighs]

Why do I have to be a Jew?

What if I want
to be something else?

I do not like being hated
by everybody.

Everybody does not hate you.

Yes. They do.

You know it's true.

What did we ever do?

It's not fair.

[indistinct voices]

There are ways to get
out of the ghetto.

Ways that are still safe.

I cannot...Yes, I know.

But I have been thinking
about Karolyna.

Karolyna?

We know Polish families
who can be trusted.

Several priests,
convents in the countryside...

Stop, stop, Irena.

Let me ask you one thing.

Tell me
from your heart:

How is it possible for a mother
to give up a child? How?

Now I must ask you something.

A terrible thing.

No, no.

If it happened
that the rumors are true,

and they took Karolyna,

if you had to choose
between life and death...

No, please, I cannot face it.
I cannot...

You can, Eva...

and you must.

[sobbing]Please tell your Jacob.

[classical piano piece plays]

[footsteps approaching]

Irenka, do you know what
this author says about life?

Mama, please, I have to go.

Please, take one moment
to breathe.

What this writer says is that
in order to have a happy life,

you must exercise
your own free will.

Interesting.

Bye-bye.

Which is why I would never tell
you not to do something

or suggest to you that I would
possibly be worried.

I would never do such a thing.

No matter
what happens.

Thank you, Mama.

Thank you.Okay.

[men shouting in German]

[marching footsteps]

IRENA:
What has happened?

All the social service programs
have been suspended.

Who has access?

From now on, only
nurses, doctors,

workers in the
health department.

[speaking German]

[automatic gunfire]

And today I was told I am
officially responsible

for any further spread
of typhus.

It is impossible.

What do they...?

Of course it is impossible.

That is their point.

If I cannot help myself,
how can I help you?

I will need health
department work passes.

Four... no, no, maybe
five nurses' uniforms.

Is that all?

Perhaps a larger vehicle.

We will seek orphans
homeless in the market area

and specific families
we already know are willing

to let us place
their children.

One of Dr. Majkowski's
drivers has volunteered:

Piotr Lapinski.

Miss Irena.

Hello, Janek.

Hello.
Hello.

Thank you, Piotr.

MARIA: Mr. Lapinski
sprays for typhus.

You understand the risk?

Oh, only small problems,
but I am not too worried.

We'll use my truck.

I beg you,
keep them together.

I'm sorry.
It is not possible.

No, please understand.

Whatever happens,
they will always
have each other.

One slip, one
word in Yiddish,

they could give
each other away.

CHILD:
Mama...

How will I ever
find them?

IRENA:
I will keep a record of where
I place them. I promise.

[baby babbling]

Take her!

[woman and baby crying]

Shh, shh, shh...

[sobbing]

[singing in Hebrew]

[coughs]

You can go.

So, tell me, Tomas.

What do you want to be
when you grow up?

A priest.

Yes, very good.

That is perfect.

Up you go. You can do it.

Here.

Over here.

Here... up.

SOLDIER:
Vehicle check.

What are you carrying?

What's in the truck?!

We have a problem:
Road block, vehicle check.

IRENA:
All right, let us
go for a walk.

IRENA:
Our Father, who art in
heaven...

IZAAK:
Our Father, who art in
heaven...

hallowed be thy name...

hallowed by thy name...

thy kingdom come...

thy kingdom come...

thy will be done...

thy will be done...

on earth...

on earth...

as it is
in heaven.

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day...

Give us this day...

our daily bread...

our daily bread...

and forgive us
our trespasses...

and forgive us
our trespasses...

as we forgive those...

as we forgive those...

who trespass
against us.

who trespass
against us.

♪ Ashes, ashes,
we all fall down! ♪

[kids laughing]

Children!

Come now, all together.

Show Miss Irena
how we know our prayers.

ALL:
Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord
my soul to keep...

and if I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

[chuckles]

IRENA:
First month...

room and board.

Is there anything else
I should know?

She had a brother.

This is Adam.

Hello, Adam.

Does he speak Polish?

Perfectly.

Irena!

Jacob.

[sighs]

I did not mean
to frighten you.

We have to be
so careful.

Is Eva all right?
And Karolyna?

Yes, everything is the same.

Irena, your instinct
to take our daughter,

it is difficult, Irena,

but it is the right thing
to do.

Eva has met
with community leaders.

They want to speak
about hiding the children.

Of course.

MAN:
And what if my wife and I
do not survive the war?

Who will claim our son?

I keep a record of every child.

And if this record
or you are destroyed?

What guarantee can you give
our children will survive?

I cannot guarantee anything,

not even escape
from the ghetto.

Babies will pass more easily,

but if they can speak,
they must speak Polish.

They must know Catholic hymns
and prayers.

My children only
speak Yiddish.

I understand.
This is very difficult.

They will need to memorize
their new Christian names,

their new home address,

the entire history
of their new family,

harmless gossip about
their neighbors, all of it.

What you are saying is we must
teach our children to lie!

To survive, yes.

What about conversion?

I make it clear
I do not wish this.

You may not wish it,

but on young,
impressionable minds,

time and education will surely
dim any memories of their past.

In this case, he will grow up
a good Christian.

[murmuring]

For mothers and fathers
to give away a child is

an unthinkable act.
This is the truth.

The other truth
is that Hitler calls Jews

a cancer on the nation,

and he speaks openly
about the annihilation

of every Jew on the continent.

[murmuring]

Outside these walls,

there are Poles who are prepared
to risk their lives

to save your children.

MAN:
We Jews...

we Jews have survived
in the hardest times,

and now are faced
with another extinction.

Perhaps this time
we can all be saved

by a new generation of Jews.

How wise are we to take away
the birthright

of this new generation?

I recommend

we consider this proposal.

[murmuring]

I am not in favor
of sending our children

into such a dubious world.

Now America is in the war.

This news favors our liberation.

For this we should wait.

Our dear friend has presented us
with the difficult truths

of our time.

We should thank her
for her courage to speak.

[murmuring]

[whispers]: Quick!
Quickly. Quickly!

Jasio, go back.
There's another bag.

No, I will not. No!

Go get it. Yes...

[vehicles approach]

[men shouting in German]

BOY:
Help me! Let me go!

[soldier shouts in German]

No, stop!

[gasps]

[vehicles depart]

[indistinct voices]

Hey! Jasio!

Stop!

Jasio!

Jasio!

[baby coos]

[woman sobbing]

[baby fusses]

[indistinct voices]

[gun firing][woman screams]

[gunshot]

[woman gasps]

MAN:
Miss Irena.

Walk with me.

Please.

My name is Michal Laski.

I know who you are
and what you do.

The man you saw just now--

he is Untersturmfuührer
Karl Brandt.

He is in charge
of Jewish resettlement.

We are told
in a few months,

they will begin to send
everyone in the ghetto

to work camps
in the east.

Why do you
tell me this?

I have a son, Jasio,
ten years old. He...

His mother died last year.
He has no one.

He has you.He lives with smugglers,

goes under the wall at night,
risks his life every day.

I want to get him out
before he is caught and shot.

If, from time to time,
I help you, will you help me?

Mr. Laski, I will help your son
without conditions.

If, from time to time,
you help me,

you will be helping many
children, including your son.

There is a passage through
a brick wall on Twarda Street.

On the other side,

an abandoned house.

Your Jasio--

does he have red hair like you?

Yes, but thanks to God,
he now wears a cap.

[joyful shouts]

You know this new German that
is now in charge of the ghetto?

Yes, yes, for
work camp resettlement.

Stefan.

Do not be like this.

You know how many thousands
of Jews have disappeared

from the Lodz ghetto.

Vanished.
And to where?

Someplace they call
"resettlement."

Dr. Korczak told me
to prepare for the worst.

If there is no other way,
that is what I must do.

Where is everyone?
What has happened?

Books, bank accounts,
invoices, receipts--

they have taken over
all of it.

Who?

Gestapo.

Guten Tag.

[praying in Hebrew]

ALL:
Amen.

Karolyna, can
you tell us why

this night is different
from all other nights?

[singing in Hebrew]

[voice breaks, trails off]

Sweetheart?

I know why tonight
is different.

Tonight is different
because once we were slaves

and now we are free.

[knocking at door]

[door opens]

RABBI ROZENFELD
[laughing]: Jacob!

Welcome!

Papa![grunting]

Welcome!

I am not here for Seder.

I have some news you must hear.

Oh, Eva...

[whispers]: The underground
received information

verified by...

Polish train engineers,
lucky Jews who escaped,

even a few good Germans.

They all say camps
are being built...

Concentration camps,

work camps.

Auschwitz is like this,
we know.

You remember

the thousands of Jews
who were deported from Lodz,

the ones who disappeared?

Last week

300 train cars of clothing
returned for sorting.

What else, Jacob?

We hear rumors they are building
another camp-- Treblinka--

only 90 kilometers
from Warsaw,

where there are fake
station platforms,

underground
bunkers.

One thing they have not
constructed: barracks.

No barracks?

I-I do not understand.

Why no barracks?

Mama, they do not...

In such a camp,

the only purpose is death.

We need to find a way
to get you out of the ghetto.

RABBI:
Get out, you say.

Get out how?

Get out to where?

EVA:
Papa...

Irena has made an offer
for Karolyna.

There is a convent

in the countrysi...

This is not possible.

She will be converted.

Never.
Chaim!

These many months,
I have said nothing.

Now I will give my opinion.

Our dearest Irenka
has risked her life

for us many times.

Now she has made an offer
for Karolyna we must accept.

I believe a convent is best.

No, no, no,
this must not be done.

Chaim Rozenfeld.

You have loved me since I was
a little girl in pigtails,

and after these many years
you know very well

an opinion from me...

is not a suggestion.

[sighs]

Next time, when you come
she will be prepared.

Irena,

the underground knows
what you're doing.

They want to help.

There's a man
you should speak to.

He goes by the name Trojan.

24 Zurawia Street.

Zurawia 24.

Mm-hmm.

For Karolyna,

I promise I will
do everything.

We know that, Irena.

We know.

[speaking German]

MAN:
You have created
an efficient network,

already saved many children,

and so far no one has been
betrayed or exposed.

Uh, we, the underground, have a
good deal of money

and Viktor here
has many contacts.

It could be a
good arrangement.

This money-- where
does it come from?

The Polish government
in exile in London.

To help Jews?

Zegota exists only for that.

Who is Konrad Zegota?

He does not exist.

Which makes him hard to find,

especially for the Germans,
who will never stop looking.

[coughs]

What is your proposal?

We are going to help you
rescue children, if you agree.

I agree.

TROJAN:
We'll provide you

with funds, papers,
identification.

You will obtain this
by picking up

Konrad Zegota's laundry--

a little shop on Bracka Street, near Three Crosses Square.

[gasping]

Looks like we are
back in business.

Let me count.

Oh, look,
identification cards.

Yes.

Very good quality.

These will work.

[laughter]

[clamoring voices]

Hey, what's going on?

They are deporting

the Sienna section--
all the orphanages.

What has happened?

They have begun deportations,
starting with orphanages.

Which ones?
All of them.

[children singing]

♪ Till we greet at peace again

♪ We will meet
that one fine day or night ♪

♪ We are regiments who keep
their commands... ♪

♪ We'll march in light...

[singing continues indistinctly]

[women sobbing]

♪ All our children
and the homeland ♪

♪ Till we greet
at peace again... ♪

[sobbing continues]

Stefan.

ANNOUNCER [German accent]:
Attention, all Jews!

You will be
resettled to the East.

You will be safe.

But you must remain calm
and obey the orders.

If you act against resettlement,
you will be shot.

[dogs barking]

Attention, all Jews!

You will be
resettled to the East.

You will be safe.

But you must remain calm
and obey the orders...

Stefan.

You must get out of here.

Do it for me, for the children.

You must see and remember,
and then survive.

Go.

Go on quickly, now.

Go, go!

You know how to do it.

Attention, all Jews!

May God walk with you. Go!

Go on!

...remain calm
as you move forward.

If you act in any way
against resettlement,

you will be shot.

Attention, all Jews!

Obey orders and remain calm
as you move forward.

If you act in any way against
resettlement, you will be shot.

Thanks be to God.

Mama!

They took so many children.

They took them.

They took them, and there was...
there was nothing I could do.

Shh.

I have heard this news.

How did you know?

Your friend...

[Irena sobbing]

You must be quiet.

Okay, come on, come here.
You'll be all right.

[sobbing]

IRENA:
Quickly, quickly.

[baby crying]Shh...

[crying stops]

[boy sobbing]

We cannot do it now.

Please, one more day.

Just one.

He will understand.

Now is still possible.

Tomorrow is uncertain.

This section
may be emptied.

Tomorrow he will be ready.

I promise.

Look-- no more
courthouse entrance.

[turns off engine]

A big problem.

Oh, stop fiddling.

You're making me nervous.

You need to get
more rest.

For heaven's sakes, if I'd had
a stroke, I'd be dead.

I'm telling you,
I got up too fast.

I fainted; that is all.

It is serious,
Janina.

With this, I can
hear the truth.

You are a very brave
young woman.

Stefan?

[chuckles]

There is room for two.

What are you doing?

A little carpentry.

What do you think?

I-I feel a little bit confined.

I-I think I need
to get out.

It-it's not opening.

It's stuck.

Here. It-it, uh...

Can you please
try it, please?

It is... it is stuck
from the outside.

[laughs nervously]:
No, no, no...

Please, open it.

Please, come on.

Okay.[chuckles]

All right, I need,
now I need...

we need to get
out of here.

We-We must call your...

[coughing]

Mama?

Irenka?

[snickers]

[Germans shouting][screaming]

ANNOUNCER:
Keep your doors open!

Any Jew left behind
or found hiding will be shot.

[clamoring]

[shouting in German][gunshots]

Jews, out!

[thudding burst in distance]

[man groans nearby]

Jasio?

[boy coughing nearby]

[woman sobbing]

CHILD:
Are you hungry?

Drink this.
You must eat something.

[children cough nearby]

Jasio?

Do you remember?

I cannot leave them.

I will not!

You have done
a good thing, Jasio.

A very important thing.

And it may be hard
to understand,

but the future will need your
compassion, even more than now.

Which is why, tomorrow
you must save yourself.

You know the coal room,
where the rabbis study?

2:00 tomorrow,
my friend will meet you there.

She wears bright red lipstick.

Be strong.

Say your good-byes.

[gate creaks]

I will never see you again.

I will never see
any of you again.

Any of you.

Yes, you will.

I promise.

No, you can't promise.

Nobody can promise
anything anymore.

EVA:
Darling,

darling, darling...

I love you
with all my heart.

My love for you
is so big and strong,

it will never go away.

It will always be with you.

Whenever you think of me,
I will be there,

right over your shoulder,
forever and ever.

[sobs]

Your name?

Angela Kratula.

And where
are you from?

Krakow, Poland.

But when I grow up,
I want to live in Bavaria.

My uncle says Germany
is much more beautiful.

Your name?

Angela Kratula.

And where are you from?

Krakow, Poland.

But when I grow up,
I want to live in Bavaria.

My uncle...

[woman shrieks]

[people shouting, screaming]

[automatic gunfire bursts]

[automatic gunfire bursts]

Quick!

Quick, in!

SOLDIER:
Out! Out!

Get out of here!
Out! Get out!

Get out of here!

Leave them alone!
They're old and sick.

It is nothing to you!

Jasio?

IRENA:
Michal Laski!

Out! Everybody out!

Jews, off the truck!

You!

Come with me.

You, too, come.

Move.

Get away from here,
walk slowly.

I saw Jasio.
He'll get out.Thank you.

Get out! Hurry up!

Jasio?

We cannot wait for
him any longer.

I know...

I know.

Come. Come.

ANNOUNCER: Obey orders and
remain calm as you move forward.

If you act in any way against
resettlement,

you will be shot.Jasio? Jasio?!

Jasio! Jasio! Move!

Jasio!

[people clamoring]Get out! Out of the way!

Move it! Jasio!

Jasio!

Jasio!

Papa! Papa!

I tried to get out,
but I couldn't.

It's all right.
It's all right.

I'm here,
I'm here now.

Stay close, son.
Stay close to me.

[barking]

[soldier shouting]

[shouting]

Hold on to me, hold on tight.

Simon!

[gunshot]

[screaming]

There has been a mistake!

No! He is my son!
No, he's my son.

All Jews...

All Jews inside now!

My family is protected!
Jasio!

[frenzied shouting]

Son! Jasio!

Son!

[door slides shut]

[speaking German][passengers screaming]

[train rumbling and chugging][shouting, yelling]

Go on.

Look at that.

Yeah.

Angela.

Thank you.You are ready.

Papa! Papa!

[grunting]

I understand now

why you lived in the street.

It was God's way
to make you strong
so you can survive.

Here, give him
my sweater.

I cannot do it.

I am afraid, Papa.Yes.

Please, I can't do it.
I can't.Yes, you can.

Yes, you can.No, I can't.

Please.Listen to me. You can
do it. Put it on.

No...
Okay, shh.

Now.

Jasio,
listen to me.

Land on... land
on your elbows.
Please.

Keep your head down.No, I can't.

You keep your
head down,
Come with me!

and stay still until you
see the train is gone.

Papa, please, come with me.

I love you, Papa. No!Then run as fast
as you can

into the trees,
understand?Papa, please come with me.

I love you, Papa.

Please come with me.

Papa, please.
Shh, shh!

You must
be brave.

Jasio, you
already know.I can't.

I love you, Papa.
Please, I can't.

Come with me, please!

One...I don't want... please, no!

No, please!
One...

two...

three.

[train whistle blowing
in distance]

[children murmuring]

Shh! Children...

Shh, shh, shh!

Children, children...
this is Angela.

She will be
joining us.

Please don't leave me, please.

This war

will end, and you will survive

to be a mother
and tell your story.

And one day,

if we are both
very clever,

I will find you.

I promise.

Now there is something
that you must promise me.

You must promise
that you will always remember

that you are the famous
Miss Nijinska,

prima ballerina.

I love you.

Me, too.

Go on now.

Off you go.

[indistinct voices]

[grunting]

Come on!

Over and under.

Shouldn't you have
taught me this as a child?

That is beautiful.

Oh.
You're so mean to me.

Stefan is not
telling the truth.

It is hideous.

It's a mess.

This is never
going to be...[vehicle approaches]

[speaking German]

Gestapo.

[knocking at door]

I will do it.

[pounding at door]

MAN:
Open!

[pounding continues]

Open!

Irena Sendler?

I am.

Do you have Jews here?

Of course not.

It is against the law.

You will come with us.

Let me get a few things.

There's no need.

[door closes]

[car pulls away]

[door opening]

[footsteps approaching]

[chair sliding]

[papers rustling]

Irena Sendler.

Good afternoon.

I work for the city of Warsaw,
Department of Social Services.

I know... I know.

[papers rustling]

[typing]

Ah.

Your father was a doctor.

Worked with Jews.

He worked with anyone
who was sick.

Yes, until the Jews
gave him typhus.

[typing resumes]

[papers rustle]

[sighs]

Who is Konrad Zegota?

Who?

[typing resumes]

[grunting, panting]

[fabric tearing]

Who is Konrad Zegota?

I don't know.

[thud][screams]

Who is Konrad Zegota?

I... I don't know.

[thud][screaming]

You have been denounced

by many people.

For example, the little shop
where you pick up

your laundry...
on Bracka Street,

near Three Crosses Square.

We know you're not
so involved

with these criminals,

and if you tell us
where to find this man,

you will not be executed.

[thud][screaming]

[grunting, screaming]

[locks clanging]

[shuddering]

[water dripping][grunts]

Sendler! Up!

[whip cracking, Irena screaming]

What does it mean?I don't know.

[conversation continues
indistinctly]

[whip cracking]

[grunts]

[door clangs]

[fabric ripping]

[door clangs]

Sendler. Dentist.

[grunting]

You are wasting

your time and mine.

I am ordered to place
a dressing,

I place a dressing.

For what?

She will be dead
in the morning.

I do what I'm told.
That is all.

[men shouting indistinctly]

[women shrieking]

[screams]

[crying]

[door shuts, lock clicks]

Stefania?

You are alive!

I swear, I told them nothing.

I was quiet as a mouse.

You know
I would never betray you.

As a good soldier.Yes.

A good soldier,
Stefania.

[Stefania sobbing]

You've done
very well.

[door opens][all gasp]

Out! Out!

[truck engine humming]

Thank you
for what you did.

We did it together.

No, I mean for me.

[sobbing]

[soldiers laughing]

Out! Out!

Out!

[chatting indistinctly]

Not you!No!

No! Wait! Wait! Don't!

No!

[speaking German]

[speaking German]

[gunfire]

Get away from here!

Go!

[gunfire]

[speaking German]

Go!

But...

but I-I do not have

my identification card!You are dead with them!

Go! Run away!

Get out!

[gunfire]

[gunshots in distance]

[groans]

[clattering]

Irena!

Thank you.

JANINA:
They will find out.

And they will search for you.

I will be safe.

Your mother is right.
In time, you will need

a specialist.
I know for you
it is difficult

but please, until then,
try to stay off them.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[footsteps approaching]

JANINA: Irenka...
what you have done

is a... good,

decent thing.

So many that I could
not save.

Believe me,

in this world...

to do a decent thing
is not so bad.

It is time.

We must be in the mountains
before dark.

I love you.

Do not worry.

I will be fine.

Go.

Irena.

Trojan.Thank you so much

for all
you have done.No.

Thank you.

There-there is something

that-that Konrad Zegota
must have.

They are all here.

Every child...
where we hid them.

When all this is over,

they must be returned

to whatever remains
of their families.

I will do it, I promise.

Thank you.

VIKTOR:
From now on you are
Irena Dabrowska.

"Once upon a time

there was
a little girl..."

I am so fond of stories
that begin that way.

I have kielbasa

in beer with onions.

You like?Yes, I do.

Good.
[gasps]

First, you must come
meet my pigs.

Really, Piotr, it
is not necessary.

It is true what they say
about Jews...

they make terrible farmers.

Piotr, please, put me down.

Oh, thank God!

Are you all right?

Yes.

IRENA [translated]: Not so long
ago, it was Mother's Day here.

So today I would like us
to celebrate that holiday

in the name of some of the most
anguished mothers in the world.

The Jewish mothers who had
to part with their children

during those terrible times.

And let us reflect
on those Polish women

who took the Jewish children in

and brought them up
as their own...

...risking their lives every day
and every hour in the process.

They loved those children
so much that when the war ended,

they could hardly bear
to part with them.

So let us give thought
to those mothers.

Captioning sponsored by
CBS

and
HALLMARK CARDS

Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH
access.wgbh.org