Original subtitles

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(ANIMALS CALLING)

(ELEPHANTS TRUMPETING)

(BIRDS CALLING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

ANTONINA: Hello, Jerzyk. JERZYK: Good morning, Miss.

It's a beautiful day.

Good morning.

Hello. Welcome. MAN: Good morning.

Good morning. Enjoy yourselves today.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning. ANTONINA: Good morning.

Come along, Adam. Time for morning rounds.

(GRUNTING)

(LOW GROWLING)

(LOW GROWLING) ANTONINA: Hello, my loves.

Good morning, sweetheart.

(GROWLING)

(TIGER ROARS)

Good morning.

(ADAM GRUNTING)

(MONKEYS CHATTERING)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

(POLAR BEAR GRUNTING)

(ELEPHANT TRUMPETING)

How's our girl today?

No problems today, Miss.

Hello, old Kasia.

Yes. Tembo.

What a beautiful girl you are.

(CHILDREN CHATTERING)

(YELPS)

(SCREECHING)

(LOW GRUNTING) Good morning.

Good morning, darling. Good morning, Punia.

Have you come to help me?

LUTZ HECK: The torchlight was flaring in front of me.

Behind me, I could hear the breathing of a maddened creature.

It was midnight, black as coal.

I couldn't see my hand in front of me,

but I could feel her breath on my neck.

Hot and thick.

I had interfered, and she was angry with me.

She took two steps.

I thought it was the end of me.

I took my rifle, raised it,

and that's when she charged. (STOMPS FOOT)

(PEOPLE GASPING)

There was nothing I could do, I had to shoot her.

It was the picture of perfection.

An exquisite creature.

A great desecration for me.

But I have to say, her cubs did survive.

They thrived, and have grown to a proud maturity in my zoo. Cheers.

Herr Heck has taken over the Berlin Zoo from his father.

And his brother runs the Munich Zoo.

Would you like a canapé, Herr Heck?

It looks delicious, but no. Thank you.

This is Magda Gross, the sculptress. Perhaps you know of her.

Indeed, yes.

She also made this... Oh!

Excuse me.

WANDA: And what do you do with yourself, my dear,

while your husband is playing with his monkeys?

(SNICKERING)

I help him.

Oh, isn't that sweet.

Sweetness is the least of it.

Antonina's a magician.

Thank you. I'll take it.

We met five or six years ago, didn't we, Frau Żabińska?

Mmm.

I think you've changed your hair.

Yes.

You've only grown more beautiful

in these past years, I have to say.

The look of a stray barn cat, if you ask me.

Did you know that barn cats have the keenest sense in all of nature?

More astute and fine than any human being I hope to meet.

Do you play the piano, Frau Żabińska?

A little.

Why don't you play something for us?

I think it's the perfect time

to soothe the savage beast and all that.

Maybe she should play a German waltz.

We may all be learning the goose-step within a year.

Stefan, please. STEFAN: Isn't that so, Herr Heck?

JAN: Not now, please, Stefan.

Well, Hitler wants Poland.

It's what everyone's saying.

I wouldn't know anything about it, I assure you.

I'm a zoologist, not a politician.

(ANTONINA PLAYING PIANO)

(DOOR OPENS)

Mama, Jerzyk needs you! It's Kasia.

Excuse me, everyone.

Be quiet, don't startle her. (KASIA TRUMPETING)

Here, stay here. Hold the light steady for me.

JERZYK: She's not breathing.

I'm here, Kasia.

I'm here.

Hello, Tembo.

Hello, Tembo.

I can bring you overalls, Miss, please. I can find other men.

ANTONINA: There's no time. She's suffocating.

Let me help you, Kasia.

Please, let me help you, my darling.

Let me help you, sweetheart.

JERZYK: I have no rifle, Miss, please!

Hush! Enough now!

Please.

Oh, she's blocked!

No, please, let me do this.

I'm trying, Kasia. I'm trying, my darling.

(GRUNTS)

(GROWLING)

Wait, wait, wait.

You should go. You can go. Why isn't that man armed?

(TRUMPETING)

JERZYK: Whoa, Tembo.

LUTZ HECK: What's his name? Tembo.

Tembo! Tembo. Good. Good, good, good.

(GRUNTING)

(PANTING)

We're losing her! Jerzyk, help me!

(GRUNTS)

Push, Jerzyk!

Push! (SOBS)

Go. Go, go, go.

ANTONINA: Oh!

(GASPING)

Oh, she's breathing! (SOBBING AND LAUGHING)

Oh! She's breathing!

You beauty!

She's beautiful!

Amazing! Amazing!

(CHUCKLES)

That was hard work, wasn't it?

(LAUGHING)

It's all right. It's all right, sweetheart.

(LAUGHS)

You are a, um...

You are a wonder, Punia. You are Eve in her garden.

(ANTONINA CHUCKLES)

(BABY ELEPHANT COOS)

It's late. Let's go home.

(BELL TOLLING)

JERZYK: Good morning. Good morning.

Let's go! We're going.

Mama, what are those men doing? They look like mules.

ANTONINA: We were on Nalewki Street today.

They're working the Jews like pack animals now.

I think you should take Rys out of Warsaw tomorrow.

But where will we go?

You could stay with my cousins in Zalesie.

Things are too uncertain here.

We should get Rys out of the city while we can.

But school's about to start.

Oh, he's so excited, Jan, with his new pencils, and his shoes...

You're not listening to me. I'm trying to tell you something.

It's feeling very dangerous to me right now.

What about you?

I have to stay for the animals,

but I'll come as soon as I can.

Punia, Hitler and Stalin have signed a pact.

Only Poland sits in the middle.

People are leaving.

We could stay in Zalesie for a little while,

but if war comes, we have to find a way out of the country.

I don't want to run away.

I don't want to carry Rys from place to place, like a frightened cat.

This is his home.

I'm sorry, Punia. Come back to me, come here.

People always want to run when they don't know what's coming.

It's their first instinct, always to run.

Come. It's not good for a child.

It's not good, Jan, I'm telling you.

I don't want Rys to live that way.

(SIGHS)

Please, I want to stay here.

In Warsaw.

All right.

(BELL TOLLING)

(AIRPLANES PASSING OVERHEAD)

Rys? Rys!

(PANTING)

Look at all the planes!

Let's go inside.

(SCREAMS)

(ELEPHANTS TRUMPETING)

(ROARING)

(BOMBS EXPLODING)

(GROWLING)

(BELLOWING)

(SCREECHING)

(EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE)

RYS: But where's Papa? He's in Płońsk.

We'll meet him in Zalesie.

RYS: What about Pancho? (PANTING)

Quick, pack your things!

No, Rys, leave him! No, I don't want to.

We'll open the doors. He's scared.

He'll run somewhere safe. Let's go!

(CHITTERING)

(WHINNYING)

Mama!

MAN: (ON LOUDSPEAKER) Evacuate the zoo immediately!

(SIRENS BLARING)

This is the Polish Army. Wild animals are loose.

Emergency! Emergency!

Evacuate now!

Take the boy, Miss, please! Go, go!

(CAMELS GRUNTING) (PANTING)

(ELEPHANTS TRUMPETING)

No! Don't shoot him, don't shoot him!

No! (GUNS FIRING)

RYS: No, Mama!

(RYS SOBBING)

(WHINNYING)

(GRUNTING)

(PEOPLE CLAMORING)

(AIRPLANES PASSING OVERHEAD)

(SIREN WAILING)

Excuse me, where is the train to Zalesie?

MAN: (ON PA) No trains running today!

No trains today! Leave the station immediately.

(MAN SPEAKING POLISH)

Papa!

Antonina!

Rys, Rys, come, come, come.

Papa!

(ALL PANTING)

(KISSING)

I thought you were lost.

Come, come. Come.

ANTONINA: I can't believe you found us.

Let's go home.

Hey. Maybe you'd like to fly. Come.

(RYS MIMICKING AIRPLANE SOUNDS)

Come, Punia.

Pancho!

Pancho, I'm here.

It's all right.

He's all right, Mama.

(FLIES BUZZING)

(BIRD SQUAWKING)

Oh, you poor things. You must have been so scared.

(RADIO STATIC)

GENERAL ROMMEL: (ON RADIO) The German government

has taken charge of the Polish people.

We rely on the population of Warsaw

to accept the entry of German forces

quietly, honorably, and calmly.

They're here, Mama.

(GENERAL ROMMEL CONTINUES IN GERMAN)

(SOLDIERS SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

Let's go.

JAN: They're using our enclosures as an armory.

The country's completely overrun.

I was raised with these people.

Jews, Gentiles.

It didn't matter to my family. It never mattered to me.

(GRUNTING)

(CONVERSING IN GERMAN)

(SNICKERING)

Guten Tag, meine Herren.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Herr Heck.

Thank you, Jerzyk.

Hello.

It's terrible, Frau Żabińska.

Yes. It is.

You know, we weren't expecting you.

I'm so sorry. My husband's not here, so...

Can we talk?

Yes, of course. Please.

(GRUNTING)

Your zoo is to be liquidated. I'm sorry to tell you.

I don't understand what you mean.

For the war effort.

Meat, firewood,

soap... No.

(SNIFFLES)

(SNIFFLING) No. It can't be true.

The animals?

All of them?

Another tragedy, I know.

But I see a way out of this, my friend.

That's why I've come.

But you need to listen to me now. You need to trust me.

Now, I could take your prize animals to Germany as a loan.

We'll give them sanctuary.

You know you can trust my word on this.

And when the war is over, I can return them to you.

But what if the war comes to Germany?

A terrible thought, I know, and a personal nightmare for me,

but I must tell you the Allied forces are very weak.

I expect this to be over very soon.

I want to rescue the best of your breeds.

And I can secure them a future no matter what might come.

And we can do this together, Frau Żabińska.

We can save your animals together.

What do you think?

Yes.

Of course we must do it.

I'll bring trucks as soon as I can.

Your animals will be fine. I give you my word.

I don't know how to thank you.

It's from one animal lover to another, hmm?

JAN: What do you mean?

Lutz Heck is taking all the animals?

No, just the prize stock, for safekeeping.

Ah, but that's our stock, Punia.

That's all that's left to keep the zoo in operation.

Why didn't he wait to speak to me?

He said he didn't have time.

Jan, he wants to help.

So, I gave him our permission.

He doesn't need our permission, Punia.

Don't you see? He's Hitler's head zoologist.

Lutz Heck controls our zoo.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

My God!

Beautiful. Jerzyk, wait. Wait, please.

(CUBS PURRING)

Stay safe, my beauty.

(LOW GROWLING)

Put him in Herr Heck's truck.

Come.

Thank you, Jan.

Goodbye, Frau Żabińska.

(CHIRPING)

(GRUNTING)

(PARTY HORNS BLOWING)

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

ANTONINA: "The rich shoemaker in the town

"took the measure of the little foot into his own room

"in which stood great glass cases full of pretty shoes.

"She sat down and made, well, as well as she could,

"a pair of little..." Ah!

I think Papa's home in time for New Year's Eve.

(VEHICLE APPROACHING)

(CAR DOORS OPENING)

(ANIMAL WHINNYING)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

Happy New Year, gentlemen.

Is this absolutely necessary?

Yeah.

(GUNSHOT) (ANIMALS CLAMORING)

Stop! What are you doing?

These creatures won't survive the winter.

It's an order from high command. There's nothing I can do.

No, stop!

(ADAM GROANING)

Mama! Mama, who's shooting?

Mama, they're shooting! Who's shooting?

(SOBBING)

Make it stop.

(ANTONINA SOBBING) (GUNSHOTS CONTINUE)

(MEN LAUGHING)

Tell me, where's the owner? He's gone.

Would you tell his wife I'd like to talk to her?

(GUNSHOT) (ANIMAL GROANS)

They left on holiday.

(GUNSHOT) (ANIMAL SCREECHES)

I thought I saw her. I must have been mistaken.

(GUNSHOT)

(SQUAWKING)

(BULLETS RICOCHETING)

(GUN COCKS)

(GUNSHOT)

Have it stuffed and mounted.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

Keep moving, children.

Dr. Korczak. That's right.

Dr. Korczak? Not too far now.

Not too far now.

SZYMON: They're forcing Jews out of their homes,

and they are taking us all to the ghetto.

They dragged Maurycy away like he was a criminal.

That brilliant, kind man, like he was nothing.

We're going to go where they want us to go, that's all.

And when the war is over,

we'll come home again.

I've known you since we were boys, Jan.

Go on, Szymon. What do you need from me?

I'd like to keep my insect collection here with you.

I can't take it with me.

I want it to be safe. It's my life's work, you know that.

Of course, Szymon, yes. We can put it in the basement.

It's dry there, like a dungeon. And no one will find it.

Thank you, Jan. Thank you.

ANTONINA: We have room.

We have the storeroom upstairs.

We could hide Magda there.

Antonina.

This is a human being.

This is a Jew hiding in our house.

We can't even give her a glass of water.

Do you understand that? Mmm.

We could be shot for a glass of water.

So, we just close our eyes and let her go.

Our dearest friend in all the world.

We would have to be sure about this.

Think carefully because...

We'd have to be very sure.

JAN: Absolutely no sound during the morning.

No sound, do you understand me?

The cook leaves at 1:00. She'll sleep in the day.

At midnight, the patrol leaves, and then you can come out.

How long can I stay?

I have nowhere else to go.

You'll stay till it's over.

JAN: It's done.

They've moved all the Jews behind walls in the Nalewki District.

And they're bringing in very little food.

ANTONINA: Oh, my God. And no wood, nothing for the cold.

Have you heard anything about Maurycy?

He's practicing law from a storefront. That's all I know.

I can't get through the gates, Magda.

No one enters the ghetto without a pass.

Listen,

there are people I know,

people trying to help.

They have trucks, they have guns.

And they want to use the zoo as a way station.

What do you mean?

A place to hide Jews, until safe houses can be found for them.

A friend is different, one friend.

But more than one? That's dangerous, Jan. You said it yourself.

They're starving, Antonina.

Two kilometers away.

They are trapped and starving like rats in a cellar.

ANTONINA: How many?

Impossible to say.

And for how long?

They'd be our guests until we found them refuge.

A human zoo.

We have to keep the grounds in operation, or we're lost.

But whatever it is, whatever we do,

we have to hide it in plain sight.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS IN GERMAN)

We understand the war office is going to close our zoo.

An unfortunate consequence of the occupation. I'm really sorry.

Well, of course we want to save it if we can.

We've spent many years building it.

I'm sure you understand.

I do.

What do you propose, Frau Żabińska?

A pig farm, Herr Heck.

A pig farm?

(LAUGHS)

Is this a joke? No.

Your men are hungry.

Your officers, they need meat.

Uh, we need to keep the zoo in operation, Lutz.

We'll raise pigs in the pens to feed your men,

and we will save our zoo.

Pigs. Well, they're cheap to farm, of course, but how would you feed them?

We could collect garbage from the ghetto.

Of course, with your permission. (LIGHTER CLICKS)

I certainly see your point.

Your zoo's been of value. That's very true.

Your bison was exquisite. A perfect specimen, and a terrible loss.

I've spoken of it to Hermann Göring,

and I'm happy to say that he's agreed with me.

I am to start a breeding program this summer.

You're going to breed bison?

No, that plan has no scope, no ambition.

No, I intend to breed aurochsen from the bison.

Aurochsen. But...

(LAUGHS)

But they have been extinct for 300 years, Lutz.

They're storybook creatures now.

That's exactly the point. I intend to bring them back.

That's not possible.

(CLEARS THROAT)

I didn't know that you thought so little of me, Dr. Żabiński.

I devoted my life to the study of genetics,

and I'm well practiced in the study of animal breeding.

I'm an expert in that field.

And I think I know more than anyone.

Even more than you.

Herr Göring must respect you very much.

Oh, I believe he does, yes.

Well... (CLEARS THROAT) I think the pigs will work.

(SIGHS IN RELIEF)

I'm sure Göring will be pleased with the idea.

And what an irony, a trayf farm fed by Jewish garbage.

And right under their noses. (LAUGHS)

Cheers!

(PIGS SQUEALING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER IN GERMAN)

Hello, Lutz. What's this? Jan.

Draw them into the pen, and close the gate!

But be careful, he's in a temper.

(BISON GRUNTING)

You're breeding them here?

They require a natural habitat.

We thought of your zoo, but we had to fight the war office.

And then you came knocking on my door,

as if you could read my mind.

You paved the way with pigs.

(LUTZ HECK AND ANTONINA LAUGH)

What a crack-brained idea, and what splendid luck for us!

I'll work with him.

We can keep our eye on him with the bison here.

Well, he trusts you, that's clear.

You have a way with him.

I don't know how I can ask you to do this.

Then don't ask me.

I'm going to do it, that's all.

(SNORTING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER IN GERMAN)

The feed's ready for the pigs. I have to go.

See you later, darling.

SOLDIER: Halt!

(SOLDIER SPEAKING GERMAN)

It's the pig farmer of Warsaw.

(ENGINE STARTS)

Up! Up!

(SPEAKS GERMAN)

MAURYCY: This looks good.

This is fine.

Żabiński!

Excuse me.

It's pig meat. Put it away.

So, how is Magda? Is she all right?

Yes. She worries about you.

What could I do? I had no choice.

You can't hide this face. (CHUCKLES)

Uh... It's...

It's worse than I realized.

There's a young girl back there.

It's a... A child.

And two soldiers are with her.

No one is safe.

I don't know what will happen now.

What do they intend to do with us, Jan?

Thank you.

(CHILDREN CHATTERING)

Thank you.

You must stop now, children.

We need the peelings for our soup.

Dr. Korczak. I'm sorry, we have nothing else to eat.

No, no, I should have realized. Uh, may we speak privately?

I might be able to help you. Yes, of course.

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

It's pig meat. I'll bring more when I can.

I can get you out.

People know your books. They will take care of you.

You should leave with me, Dr. Korczak.

But then what of the children?

What of them, Dr. Żabiński?

My heart is no different than yours.

I should not be here, they should not be here,

you should not be here.

(JAN WHISTLES)

(WHISTLES) Go, go, go.

Cover yourself.

(GASPS) I can help you. You have to be very, very quiet.

Very quiet.

Here, go in, go, go. (MOANING IN PROTEST)

Stay down.

Good girl.

(GIRL GASPING)

Move over.

(ENGINE STARTS)

SOLDIER: Halt!

(SOLDIERS SPEAKING GERMAN)

(BANGING ON DOOR)

JAN: Stay in, but listen.

We will show you into a tunnel.

And you will spend the night there.

The German patrol comes back shortly after dawn.

But you will be woken before that

and taken outside of Warsaw.

Understand?

Go. Keep your heads down.

Hurry. Through the tunnel.

Through the tunnel. Go through the tunnel.

Hello.

Hey.

(BREATHING SHAKILY)

(WHIMPERING)

There's a cook that comes every morning.

Please, you can't make a sound.

(WHIMPERS SOFTLY)

Will you tell me your name?

Mine is Antonina.

A new hiding place can feel strange.

But I promise you, you're going to be all right.

I'll stay with you if you like.

I'm right here.

Now.

Good work, Jan.

The army's waiting for them in Łomża. Good luck.

If you tell me your family name,

we can look for them.

Maybe we could bring them here.

What a terrible time you must have had.

(SNIFFLES)

My father died.

He was shot in St. Petersburg.

I was...

Me, I was about your age.

We were taken in by friends sometimes,

or by strangers.

We were running for so long.

(SOBBING SOFTLY)

And no one knows how hard it is,

a life in hiding.

You can never tell who your enemies are,

or who to trust.

Maybe that's why I love animals so much.

You look in their eyes,

and you know exactly what's in their hearts.

They're not like people.

We live in a zoo.

That's where you are,

in a zoo.

Most of the animals are gone now because of the bombing.

But this one,

she was left behind.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

(COIN CLATTERS)

JAN: (WHISPERING) Quiet.

This way.

Women and children will stay here in the basement,

until we can find a safe house that can take you.

We shall be possums now.

We shall sleep in the mornings when the cook is here.

I will play my piano after midnight,

and then you'll know it's safe to come out.

But if you hear the piano in the day, you must hide.

(PIANO PLAYING)

(DOOR OPENS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER IN GERMAN)

It's so cold today.

Would you please make a double batch of soup?

(KNIFE STRIKING)

LUTZ HECK: We'll mate them this summer.

Mmm-hmm. She'll be in estrus a short time.

Yes, a day at most. Exactly.

(MUFFLED CONVERSATION)

Well, I'm afraid I've worn you out with all our talk.

Oh, not at all. I've enjoyed your company.

Have you?

Still, I think it's time to go.

(SOBBING)

(SHUSHING)

(MUFFLED WAILING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Goodbye, Antonina.

(FRONT DOOR OPENING)

(FRONT DOOR CLOSING)

(DOOR BELL DINGING)

We haven't much time, Mrs. Aszer.

Your friends are waiting for you in Łódź.

Rys, please, bring her upstairs.

(SOLDIER SPEAKING GERMAN)

Goodbye, cousin! Visit us again soon!

ANTONINA: I always wanted to draw... (GASPS)

...but I was never good at it.

I hope someday, you'll teach me?

Can we see your rabbit?

What is his name?

I call him Piotr.

It was my brother's name.

MEICIO: And what's your name?

They called me Urszula.

Urszula means "she-bear."

Did you know that?

Yes.

My father used to say it.

(PIANO PLAYING)

(INDISTINCT MURMURING)

Good evening. Hello.

It's almost bearable today.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Herr Heck, Miss.

Oh.

What a surprise. I wasn't expecting you today.

A good surprise, I hope.

Of course. Always a good surprise.

I have another surprise for you.

Our girl is ready. Come.

(SNORTING AND GRUNTING)

(MAN LAUGHS)

Take the rope, keep her calm.

Steady.

(LAUGHS)

(SOLDIERS CHATTERING AND LAUGHING)

LUTZ HECK: Now, come on, come on. Come on.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(BELLOWING)

(SOLDIERS LAUGHING) (LUTZ HECK GRUNTING)

(BISON BELLOWS) (GASPS)

That's it.

(SPEAKS GERMAN) (TUTTING)

(BELLOWING)

LUTZ HECK: That's it.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

That's it.

Where are your shoes?

I must have left them in the pen.

Well, put them on, please. You're not a child.

(BANGING ON DOOR)

(WHISPERING) Upstairs!

(SHUSHING) Go, go, go!

(PLAYING PIANO LOUDLY)

Yes?

DR. ZIEGLER: Dr. Żabiński? Yes.

I'm Dr. Ziegler. I'm the director of the Ghetto Labor Bureau.

I've come to see the bugs.

Szymon died, you see.

Szymon and I went hunting many times.

I'm a bit of a bug man myself.

An amateur entomologist, you might say.

Wonderful.

What an extraordinary collection.

Szymon died of an ulcer.

It exploded in his stomach. He couldn't be saved.

It's such a tragedy for me.

I respected him very much indeed.

Uh...

Szymon told me about you.

He...

...said some, um...

...interesting things.

Uh...

Listen to me.

The ghetto walls were built against our Labor Bureau building.

We have two doors.

One opens into the free side of the city,

the other, into the ghetto.

In one way, out the other, you understand me?

Yes.

I will give you papers that will give you access either way.

Dr. Żabiński, welcome to the Labor Office.

You can take the workers out,

I will see that they are signed back in.

(TYPEWRITERS CLACKING)

This is Dr. Żabiński. He works for me.

You will allow him through whenever he comes or goes.

Look, this is Dr. Żabiński, he's allowed to pass through every time.

(SOLDIERS CHATTERING IN GERMAN)

Open the gate!

I look forward to working with you.

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

(SOLDIERS SHOUTING) (GUNFIRE)

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

Bring them out. Bring as many as you can.

Go.

Come.

Thank you. Go.

Right, right, right, right.

Watch out. Watch out.

(SOLDIERS CHATTERING IN GERMAN)

Goodbye. See you soon.

(SOLDIER SHOUTING)

Who is this?

What do you mean? He works for me. I'm Dr. Jan Żabiński.

Yes, but who is he? I've never seen him before.

He is Dr. Kleinhauser.

He is with me.

Do you want me to go to the Labor Bureau?

Do you want me to waste Dr. Ziegler's time, his valuable time,

to have him come all the way here, to talk to you,

to tell you that he is with me?

What do you want?

I'm sorry, Dr. Żabiński.

My apologies, Dr. Kleinhauser.

Just keep walking.

Magda!

(SOBBING)

(PIANO PLAYING)

You agree to have me here?

You will be in great danger.

(WOMAN LAUGHS)

Will you come to bed?

I won't sleep.

It's all right.

Let's just lie together

for a little while.

Was he here today?

Yes.

The female's strong. She'll give birth in spring.

Did he...

Did he bathe you, Punia? Did he wash your hands?

No.

Jan.

Jan.

We were nearly caught today.

(ANTONINA SOBBING QUIETLY)

Antonina? What is it?

(SOBBING) I'm sorry.

Don't be silly. What should you be sorry for?

I want to do what's right.

My heart is filled with it, my stomach with such loathing.

And I don't know what to do.

It's a new world, Antonina.

Our lives are turned upside down.

How can any of us know anything now?

Miss, I can't find any jars of beans, or...

You must continue to use your ointment, Mrs. Żabińska, for your hands.

Just as I instructed. Now, I will check your pulse.

ANTONINA: Thank you, Doctor.

Pietrasia, do you mind? No, no, no.

I'm sorry, Doctor. I didn't see you come in.

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

You know, we've had to let most of the zookeepers go.

Times are very hard.

It's not your fault.

You have always been so good to me, Miss. You and your husband.

Now, I'll be good to you.

Be careful.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(RAIN PATTERING)

MAN: (ON LOUDSPEAKER) Attention. Attention.

Tomorrow the evacuation of the ghetto will begin.

Pack your belongings, and prepare for resettlement.

(ANNOUNCEMENT CONTINUES IN GERMAN)

(SOLDIERS CHATTERING IN GERMAN)

And now, listen to an old story.

I wrote it for you. It's a children's tale.

So... Dr. Korczak...

Where are they taking you?

We are going to a land called Ro,

to visit a great magician there.

His name is Zi. He's a very good friend of mine.

Yes.

(QUIETLY) Dr. Korczak, my car is outside the gate.

It's just outside, just there.

It's impossible.

I need your help now, or the fear will be unmanageable.

God bless you, Dr. Żabiński.

Goodbye for now.

Pray for us.

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS)

(BISON CALF GRUNTING)

What's this?

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

LUTZ HECK: Look who's joined the party.

The pig farmer of Warsaw.

What will the pig farmer do now, I wonder.

JAN: Who knows, Herr Heck?

A man might be surprised.

He comes here whenever he likes.

He touches you however he likes.

What would you have me do? I can't send him away.

We have to work with him, we agreed.

It was the only way to do this.

I never agreed to this. Never.

To what? This...

This dance you do with him.

This fun little game you play.

You don't even see it. He frightens me.

I am here with a house full of desperate people,

and he comes here and he frightens me,

and you're not here.

And there's nothing I can do. You're not here.

People are dying, Antonina.

Thousands of people are dying.

And you are here. You stay hidden here, safe and sound.

You don't know. You don't know.

Grandparents, women, children.

The littlest of children.

And I'm trying to help them, but they're dying in my hands.

And you don't know.

You don't know what it's like.

(EXHALING SHAKILY)

And here you are,

fooling with that man.

(SIGHS)

Jan, don't you see?

He owns us.

He owns us now.

Antonina. Antonina.

(ANTONINA BREATHING HEAVILY)

Mrs. Anzelowna? Yes?

And your mother?

Out. Come out. Out.

Here, down on your knees. On your knees.

Down! Down!

(WOMAN SCREAMS)

Was it her hair?

Was it her hair color?

Of course not.

Someone at the boarding house must have turned them in.

(RADIO TUNING)

BROADCASTER: (ON RADIO) On this day, the 19th of April, 1943,

on the eve of Adolf Hitler's birthday,

Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler announced

the final extermination of the Warsaw Ghetto.

Rise up, citizens of Warsaw.

Join our brothers and sisters in the fight.

For on this day, our ghetto will be liquidated.

The Warsaw Ghetto will be no more.

Today is April the 19th. Passover begins tonight.

(RADIO TURNS OFF)

May we have a Seder?

Antonina?

I know it by heart.

It's snowing.

What is it?

Mama?

They're burning the ghetto.

(SOLDIERS SPEAKING GERMAN)

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

(SINGING IN HEBREW)

(SOLDIERS SPEAKING GERMAN)

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

(ALL SINGING IN HEBREW)

(SHOUTING)

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

(GLASS SHATTERING)

(PRAYING IN HEBREW)

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS)

(URSZULA SINGING IN HEBREW)

Here's cash and papers. We'll move Mrs. Mayzel to Bramki.

They're taking Mrs. Poznanska to Foksal Street.

Jan... Yeah, good.

How did you get here?

I followed you.

You never let me go anywhere.

Drive on.

Let me go! Be quiet.

(DOOR SLAMS OPEN)

(GAS CAN RATTLES)

Burn it down.

Where's your mother?

She's at the doctor's.

Mmm-hmm.

And your father?

He's in Zalesie, I think.

Zalesie?

I bet it's cold out there.

How long has he been there?

A week. I mean, a month.

A month? That's a long time.

I thought I just saw him the other day.

No, I told you. He's in Zalesie.

Well, I love Zalesie.

I like to swim there, in the lake. It's beautiful.

I bet you wanted to go swimming, too.

And that's why you yelled at your father on Zurawia Street.

No.

Then why did you yell?

I wasn't supposed to leave the zoo.

I want to speak to your mother and your father.

Tell them I've come by.

Yes.

But Papa's in Zalesie.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

I forgot.

Your papa's in Zalesie.

Good boy for reminding me.

Your parents must be proud of you.

Tell them they should be proud of you.

Heil Hitler. Heil Hitler.

Hitler ist kaputt!

(SPEAKS GERMAN)

Stand down.

(ENGINE STARTS)

(SOBBING QUIETLY)

(GROANS)

(EXHALES)

(GROANING)

(PANCHO CHITTERING)

(COOS)

We had a girl, Papa.

I've named her Teresa, like the saint.

(STAMMERING) Oh, that's a good name. That's a beautiful name.

Hello, Teresa.

(TERESA COOING)

Are you all right? Yes.

I'm wonderful.

BROADCASTER: (ON RADIO) This is Warsaw calling. This is Warsaw calling.

(GUNFIRE)

August 1st, 1944.

This is Warsaw calling.

The Polish Home Army is rising up against the Nazi Reich.

We call on all great citizens of Warsaw

to free our city and our nation.

The German Army must not stand.

Follow me.

This is Warsaw calling. This is Warsaw calling.

(EXPLOSIONS IN THE DISTANCE)

Go!

(SCREAMING)

JAN: Aim.

Shoot.

(GROANS)

Go.

Go, go, go!

(GROANS)

I was told that he was shot in the neck.

The Germans took him to a prison camp,

but no one knows where he is.

(SOBBING)

I'm sorry, Miss.

(ANTONINA SOBS)

BROADCASTER: (ON RADIO) This is Warsaw calling. This is Warsaw calling.

Citizens of Warsaw, we urge you to leave at once.

The city is no longer safe for you.

I repeat, you are not safe.

We urge you to take only what you can carry.

Leave at once.

This is Warsaw calling.

The Home Army is overrun.

The Russian offensive has begun,

and the German Army is expected to fall.

You are not safe. This is Warsaw calling...

Herr Heck's taking the bison out of Warsaw.

Miss, you're not leaving the zoo.

I have to know what happened to Jan.

Miss... I have to know.

(SOLDIERS SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

You've packed your things.

The war's turning. I've been ordered back to Berlin.

What bad luck for us.

We'll be sorry to see you go.

I'm here to ask you, my friend,

I'm looking for my husband.

He was captured by German troops.

He was taken from the zoo?

No. From Old Town.

The underground army's fighting in the Old Town.

What was Jan doing there?

Buying grass for the bison.

What did you say?

Jan was buying grass and he was captured.

(CHUCKLES)

Why are you really here, Antonina?

(VOICE BREAKING) I hoped you might help me find him.

As a gift to our friendship.

He might be dead.

He might be. (CLEARS THROAT)

I don't know. I don't know anything.

And what gift would I receive in return?

I'm curious to know.

Has Jan been keeping secrets from me?

No, of course not.

Are you lying to me, Antonina?

No.

I just want to find what happened to my husband.

And if he's dead, I want to bury him.

"Hitler ist kaputt!" I heard your son say it.

He's a child, Lutz.

It means nothing to him, it's a game.

He hears things and he repeats them, that's all...

Where does he hear them?

Um...

(STAMMERING) I don't know.

People come and go all the time... Who comes and goes?

(SOBBING) Soldiers and guards and...

Believe me, it means nothing to him.

Did he hear it from his father? Did he?

No.

No.

You're lying to me, Antonina.

I can see it in your eyes.

No.

(GRUNTING)

No!

No, Lutz! No!

(GRUNTING)

(ANTONINA PANTING)

Look at me.

Look at me.

You disgust me.

So, that's how it is.

You hid it well.

But I wonder

what else have you been hiding from me?

What have you been up to, Frau Żabińska,

in your little zoo?

(GULPS)

(TELEPHONE RECEIVER RATTLES)

(DIALING)

(PANTING)

Excuse me, please!

ANTONINA: Jerzyk!

We have to get them out. Herr Heck is coming.

The bombing is coming in.

(SPEAKING GERMAN) Herr Heck wants you out.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING) (SPEAKING POLISH)

ANTONINA: Everyone!

Pack your things. They're coming! Hurry, they're coming!

Go! Go!

(CHATTERING IN POLISH)

Go to the truck.

Yeah, go quickly. Go to the truck.

Quickly, please, go. You must hurry!

Go. Go.

Come back when the war's over, promise me.

She's coming with us! Go quickly, boys!

Rys, get in the truck. No, I'm not going.

Rys! No!

Take Teresa, we'll catch up to you.

Promise me you'll hurry.

Yes, please, go! I'll find you, quick!

(HORNS HONKING)

Go downstairs, hide. Don't make a sound.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Search the grounds.

(SOLDIERS SPEAKING GERMAN)

(GRUNTS SOFTLY)

(GRUNTING)

(GRUNTING)

(GRUNTING)

(DISTANT RUSTLING)

Hey!

(PANTING)

Stop!

Stop! ANTONINA: Lutz.

Drop your weapon!

I said, drop your weapon now.

Please.

Don't.

How many?

How many did you hide?

I don't know the number.

(ANTONINA SHOUTS)

Lock her in. Lock her in!

ANTONINA: Do it, Rys.

Do what he says. Do exactly what he says.

(YELLING) Come on! (ANTONINA AND RYS GASP)

What kind of man shoots an innocent child?

You have no idea what kind of man I am.

Oh, but I do.

I do, Lutz.

You are a serious man.

You're a man of intelligence and of breeding.

(VOICE BREAKING) Not the kind of man that would shoot a child.

Mama!

No, Lutz! No!

(GUN FIRES) Ah! No!

(WEEPING)

Rys.

Mama.

Mama. Don't cry, Mama.

Don't cry.

I'm here.

I'm here.

I don't think I can walk. Can you help me, sweetheart?

(ENGINE STARTS)

(CLICKING TONGUE)

(LOWING)

(BELLS TOLLING IN DISTANCE)

Hey! RYS: Jerzyk!

Hey.

You're here.

It's my home, son, hmm? Where else would I go?

(ANTONINA SNIFFLES)

You're home, hmm?

ANTONINA: Rys, look.

Look. It's a strawberry.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(GASPS)

Jan!

Jan! (SOBBING)

(SOBBING)