Original subtitles

Sonderkommando: German word.

In concentration camp language...

a term used to designate a special group of prisoners...

also known as "bearers of secrets" (Geheimnisträger).

The members of a Sonderkommando...

are separated from the rest of the camp.

They work no longer than a few months before being executed.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(DIGGING)

(PANTING)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(DOG BARKING)

Let's go.

(MAN SPEAKING GERMAN)

(OVERLAPPING GERMAN CHATTER)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

MAN: Halt!

(MAN YELLING IN GERMAN)

(CHILD SOBBING)

(WHIPPING)

(BABY CRYING)

(OVERLAPPING CHATTER CONTINUES)

(CHEERFUL MUSIC PLAYING)

(DOG BARKING)

(CLOSING SHUTTER)

OFFICER 1: You're exactly the kind of people we need in our workshops.

Everyone gets work and a good salary.

After the shower and the hot soup, come directly to me.

We need nurses in our hospital.

We need craftsmen of all kinds.

Table makers, carpenters...

masons, cement workers...

mechanics, locksmiths, electricians.

After the shower, please come to me personally.

OFFICER 2: All the clothes stay here.

The suitcases too.

Undress now.

OFFICER 1: Go a bit faster! Remember your hook number.

Hurry up or the soup will get cold.

Open the door.

(DOOR OPENING)

(MAN TALKING IN GERMAN)

(WOMAN SOBBING)

- OFFICER 2: What's going on here? - (SLAPPING)

OFFICER 1: Please go forward! Door closing.

Door!

(DOOR CLOSING)

(LOCK LATCHING)

You come too.

(POUNDING ON DOOR)

(PEOPLE CLAMORING)

(CLAMORING INTENSIFIES)

(MAN SCREAMING)

(POUNDING INTENSIFIES)

(MAN CONTINUES SCREAMING)

SON OF SAUL

(SCRUBBING)

MAN: Faster.

Come on people.

(SCRUBBING CONTINUES)

(MAN COUGHING)

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

(GASPING)

(CHOKING)

(WHEEZING)

(CHOKING)

Back to work.

You!

On that crate! Put him on that crate.

(DRAGGING BODY)

(GASPING)

Still breathing.

OFFICER: Back to work!

(BOY COUGHING)

(GROANING)

(WHEEZING)

(WHEEZING STOPS)

Open him up!

I've only seen this once...

that girl some time ago.

He wants an autopsy.

Bring it to my room.

- MAN: I will. - What?

What's it to you?

Put it there.

Put it there. Now.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Doctor, please...

DOCTOR: You're Hungarian?

I didn't know.

Don't cut this boy.

Leave him as he is.

No.

Out!

He's one of yours?

Even then.

You don't need it.

MAN: But your boss does!

Where are you from?

MAN: From Ungvár.

I'm a prisoner like you.

You'll have five minutes with him tonight.

But in the end, he will burn with the rest.

What's your name?

Ausländer.

Saul.

MAN: Burn the "pieces"!

- Where from? - What?

Previous transport? Hungary?

Back to work!

You! Hungarians?

- Who? - This transport.

No.

Maybe.

- Some other camp. - OFFICER: You!

(INDISTINCT SPEAKING)

Your friend should shut up.

(LIFT WHIRRING)

(GRUNTING)

OBERKAPO: Abraham!

(CONVERSING IN GERMAN)

(LIFT WHIRRING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Collect the shiny ones and bring them here.

Shouldn't we...

Bring them here!

Go to hell.

SAUL: I'll help.

(CHILDREN CRYING)

(MAN SOBBING)

(DOOR CLOSES)

OFFICER: Back to work!

(OFFICER YELLING IN GERMAN)

(SOFTLY) Forget the food. The shiny only.

What are you looking for?

OFFICER: Money, jewelry, valuables - into the box!

Gold, coins... Whatever you find.

MAN: The shiny only, I said!

OFFICER 2: Thought about stealing the gold, swine?

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

(RESUMES WHISPERING)

MAN: Give it back!

(POUNDING ON DOOR)

Forever here, you and I.

Four months here...

- as if we were family! - (POUNDING CONTINUES)

Go clean yourself, you stink.

SAUL: Be quiet.

(FIRE CRACKLING)

(WHISPERING) Rabbi...

Someone. I want to bury...

Bury? Just say the prayer.

I have the body. Help me!

Get rid of it. Do you know the Kaddish?

I'll say it. What's his name?

There's nothing more to do.

Not enough!

You should know.

MAN: What are you doing in my Kommando?

You know it!

- And you? - A work!

OBERKAPO: What's the matter?

- They don't belong here. - I sent them to help.

I don't need them. It's my Kommando.

I'm the Oberkapo!

You're a Jewish rat!

(GROANING)

(PEOPLE GASPING)

MAN 1: He can feel our time is up. MAN 2: It was nothing.

Not much. And him?

SAUL: I have nothing.

- Got me some paper? - No.

Come then.

Let's go!

Fast!

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(OLD RABBI RECITING PRAYER)

I need your help.

I need another rabbi.

You? Why do you need a rabbi?

The one at the stove, he's not good?

A rabbi won't save you from fear.

Rabbi?

What about the Renegade?

You heard of the Renegade?

Greek. They say he used to be a rabbi.

Which Kommando?

Mietek's Kommando.

OFFICER: Business is finished.

- (DOOR UNLOCKING) - (LIFT WHIRRING)

Mietek?

Outside. That Polish worm.

I know him.

He has two scars on his face.

- What's on his face? - Scars.

Marked by God.

Old wives' tales!

- SAUL: I have to talk to him. - Stop this!

- OFFICER 2: Move the "pieces"! - (GROANS)

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

He's with us.

There's a woman in "Kanada". She has the package.

Can you send someone?

In two days.

We don't have days. They're already making a list of us.

Who told you that?

My guy at the office.

Let's take those pictures first.

What pictures, Elie?

We have no time for this. It's our turn.

You think you can blow up this whole thing?

Your pictures will bring an army here to free us?

- Get me a locksmith. - SAUL: I'll do it.

- ABRAHAM: Do what? - What he wants.

- What's he saying? - SAUL: Tell him.

ABRAHAM: You don't know what we're saying.

SAUL: I have to get outside.

ABRAHAM: He needs a locksmith!

- You speak Yiddish? - Barely.

SAUL: Tell him I was a watchmaker.

I can fix anything.

He says he used to be a watchmaker...

he can be a locksmith.

- Locksmith? - ABRAHAM: Mmm-hmm.

Come with me.

- If you go, you're on your own. - Let's go.

(DOG BARKING)

(BABY CRYING)

OBERKAPO: Katz?

They're with me.

GUARD: Keep going.

OBERKAPO: They're with me.

(BIKE DRIVING AWAY)

OFFICER: Burn the "pieces"!

I said, one Jew for one "piece"!

OBERKAPO: If a Kapo shows up.

- Mietek... Kommando? - OBERKAPO: What?

KATZ: Why is he here?

He'll be on the lookout.

MAN: Biederman!

OBERKAPO: Wait here.

SAUL: Who is it? KATZ: Shut up!

Damn Mietek!

Repair the door, but look out!

You understand? You watch.

(SCRAPING)

You! Finished?

OFFICER: Too much smoke!

SAUL: You!

OFFICER: Too much smoke!

KATZ: Move.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(CAMERA CLICKING)

SAUL: Come out! KATZ: What?

SAUL: Come out!

KATZ: Where are you going?

SOLDIER: Stop!

Don't move.

SOLDIER 2: Come here!

KATZ: Locksmith!

SOLDIER 2: Finish that!

(VEHICLE APPROACHING)

SOLDIER: Assembly!

(TRUCK ENGINE IDLING)

KATZ: Where are you going?

(WHISPERING) Greek rabbi?

(ENGINE STARTING)

(PRISONERS SINGING)

OFFICER: Don't spill the ashes!

SAUL: You, Renegade?

I need you...

for a dead.

Understand?

OFFICER: All the ashes into the water!

(MAN GROANING)

Dead child.

You are a rabbi!

Mietek knows you're a rabbi?

Blessed art Thou...

O Lor...

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(GUNFIRE)

OFFICER: Cease fire!

(GASPING)

Bring them out.

(YELLING IN GERMAN)

(SAUL PANTING)

SAUL: Forgive me.

Who can explain what happened?

You?

(PANTING)

(WEAKLY) My shovel...

OFFICER: These swines do not speak proper German, Oberscharführer!

Is there anyone who can translate from...

What language?

Hungarian.

Hungarian!

Gentlemen?

What happened?

The shovel fell into the water.

He tried to get it back.

(TRANSLATING INTO GERMAN)

And? Is it safe now? The shovel?

Yes, Oberscharführer!

Ah, he speaks the language now!

Hungarian is such an elegant language.

The other one stays.

OFFICER: Get this swine back to work!

Hurry!

(GUNSHOT)

Who the fuck are you, scum?

(WHISPERING) In my shoe...

Where are you from?

Biederman's Kommando.

I'll come and visit then, soon.

Work!

He's from my Krema. I'll take him.

Roll call!

What happened?

You found the Greek!

OFFICER: Line up!

Caps off!

(OBERKAPO TAKING ATTENDANCE IN GERMAN)

(PRISONERS RESPONDING IN GERMAN)

(SCRUBBING IN DISTANCE)

ABRAHAM: Where are you going?

- Something to do. - I'm going with you.

No need.

(LOCK RATTLING)

(DOOR CREAKING)

(MEN SPEAKING IN DISTANCE)

(DOOR OPENING)

What's the purpose of your business, if I may ask?

SAUL: Clean.

Clean?

Clean.

(MOCKING)

(LAUGHTER)

(VOCALIZING)

OFFICER: A real shtetl dance, like in the good old days!

(RHYTHMIC CLAPPING)

(CONGRATULATES IN YIDDISH)

OFFICER: Out!

The "pieces"...

from autopsy room...

Where are they?

You're day shift.

Get lost!

- The doctor promised me... - What?

Want to go up in smoke?

(GRUNTS)

(FIRE CRACKLING)

(LIFT WHIRRING)

(CLANGING)

(DOOR CLANGING SHUT)

(MAN SPEAKING IN GERMAN)

(INSTRUMENT BEING TUNED)

MAN: Give me your hard ones.

Come on.

OLD RABBI: Blessed are Thou, O Lord, King of the universe...

who brings forth bread from the earth...

MAN: The angel of death hears your blessing, Rabbi!

You, give me your shiny.

SAUL: Nothing.

Must have something in your mattress or in your socks.

Abraham!

Count it.

What did you do down there?

OBERKAPO: Give it to me.

Give, I said.

I take these.

You count.

We need these. We can't wait anymore.

We have to get the package from Ella.

Is this enough for the guards?

Yes.

What does this butcher want?

SAUL: The boy!

Where's the boy?

Your boy's safe.

I had to hide him from the doctors.

(OBJECT CLATTERING)

Can't you exchange him?

- For someone else? - No.

I have to autopsy it, document it.

Come.

(SHOVELS CLANGING)

- What's your name? - Ausländer.

It's in the autopsy room.

I'll be right back.

(DOOR CREAKING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(FIRE CRACKLING)

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

What are you carrying?

Bring it back!

You play with our lives.

SAUL: I'll show Germans where you bury your writings about camp!

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

(LUTE STRINGS BEING PLUCKED)

(MAN CHANTING PRAYERS)

We're getting more weapons tonight. Be ready by morning.

The morning?

That's the plan.

I have to find a rabbi.

I'll find you a rabbi after.

I'll need you.

You didn't care much for me before.

I still don't.

Have to eat.

PRISONER 1: Not just her body! The way she looked at me.

I had to talk to her. She was breathtaking.

PRISONER 2: So she saw it coming!

I wish I understood nothing.

You used to talk about women too.

I don't remember.

MAN: Come.

KATZ: It was all smoke and he hid the camera.

Ever carried a rifle?

Not often.

I'll teach you.

He's no fighter.

He saved the day. No need to be his mother.

(MAN CALLING IN GERMAN)

(TRUCKS APPROACHING)

Trucks.

Abraham!

Transports.

- Tonight? - They didn't tell me.

(DOG BARKING)

(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)

OFFICER: Kapos!

All kapos!

OBERKAPO: You come with me.

You're with me now.

OFFICER 1: Hurry up, the coffee will get cold.

OFFICER 2: To the disinfection room!

Follow me.

OFFICER 3: Assembly!

OBERKAPO: Stay here.

OFFICER: Caps off!

OBERKAPO: Oberscharführer!

Get the day shift too and put them to work.

OBERKAPO: Yes, Oberscharführer!

Now go and count how many are still to treat.

Yes, Oberscharführer!

You, come with me!

You come too!

(MUSIC PLAYING)

Clean up.

The table!

OFFICER: Oberscharführer!

VOSS: So?

How many still to treat?

OFFICER: A thousand, Oberscharführer! VOSS: A thousand?

A thousand...

There'll be three times more tonight.

I'll tell you how this story goes:

it has to be over by dawn.

Every round: two men, one woman and one child.

Pull the ashes after 2 rounds, ventilate every 12 minutes.

- You're in charge, understood? - OFFICER: Yes, Oberscharführer!

VOSS: When you finish, wash and disinfect it all.

There'll be a new treatment. Dismissed!

Oberkapo!

OBERKAPO: Yes sir, Oberscharführer!

I want a list with 70 names.

Men you don't need.

- Start now. - Yes sir.

VOSS: You!

Go to the coal room and bring back Schlojme.

SAUL: Yes sir.

(MAN YELLING)

SAUL: The Oberscharführer calls you.

You stay here!

You come back.

(SAUL GRUNTING)

You move it or you all burn!

Useless shit!

OBERKAPO: I take this one.

Jump into the oven!

(PRISONERS CLAMORING)

MAN: The water is cold and not drinkable.

After the shower, you'll have tea.

OBERKAPO: Abraham!

You were right. We're next.

He wants 70 names by tomorrow.

(SPEAKING OTHER LANGUAGE)

- Who will get the package then? - I will.

I'll come with you. Ella knows me.

No. You need to stay here.

Take Saul then, she knows him.

SAUL: I don't know her.

Sure you do.

SAUL: I'm not going.

ABRAHAM: Saul!

Do as I say.

He goes with you.

- What's going on? - Nothing.

Both will go with you.

OBERKAPO: Forward!

VOSS: Oberkapo!

Stop!

Yes, Oberscharführer?

VOSS: What's going on? We need all the men here!

OBERKAPO: My men can't work anymore.

The belongings are piling up all the way to the ceiling.

We need to bring those to the warehouses.

VOSS: You stay here. The others can go.

OBERKAPO: Yes, Oberscharführer!

Forward!

(MAN SPEAKING IN GERMAN)

(GATE OPENING)

(OFFICER COMMANDING IN GERMAN)

(GUARD WHISTLES SHARPLY)

The name of the girl?

SAUL: Fried, Ella.

WOMAN: Fried!

(MUSIC PLAYING)

No touching.

(OBJECTS CLATTERING)

(WOMAN YELLING ANGRILY)

ELLA: Saul!

Uh-huh. That was quick.

- Did you get it? - SAUL: Yes.

(WOMAN WAILING)

- Where are they going? - To the pits.

The ovens must be full.

(CHILD CRYING)

Where are you going?

(PRISONERS CLAMORING IN GERMAN)

Where are you going?

SAUL: Leave me alone!

You're a rabbi?

(GUNFIRE)

(WOMAN WEEPING)

(BABY CRYING)

You... Do you know a rabbi?

(WOMAN SCREAMING)

(GUNSHOT)

(MAN SOBBING)

You, rabbi?

(GUNSHOTS)

Rabbi?

- (GUNFIRE) - (PRISONERS SCREAMING)

A rabbi, a rabbi...

Rabbi!

- Come. - (GUNSHOT)

Undress! Faster!

(WOMAN SOBBING)

RABBI: Monsieur!

Don't talk to anyone!

(GUNSHOT)

(GUNSHOTS)

- (GUNFIRE) - (PRISONERS SCREAMING)

- You here? - Strong man for Sonderkommando.

You want to be replaced already?

Tell him! Strong man for Sonderkommando.

You lost your mind?

OFFICER: What?

- They'll kill you! - (SAUL GRUNTS)

(GUNSHOT)

(GUNSHOTS CONTINUE)

(PRISONERS WAILING)

Rabbi!

Rabbi?

OFFICER: Jews, that's how you do it.

Take this one.

What are you doing?

SAUL: Sonderkommando!

Don't shoot him, he's Sonderkommando.

- I'm Sonderkommando too. - Shut up, Jew!

(GUNSHOT)

You're from a Kommando, vermin!

7005.

Sonderkommando.

He's Sonderkommando.

He's Sonderkommando.

(WOMAN SCREAMING)

This time, you'd better have two bracelets!

Quick!

MAN: Oberkapo!

NEW RABBI: Monsieur!

(WOMAN WAILING)

(GUNSHOTS)

You'll help me bury my son.

OBERKAPO: Sixty-seven.

Sixty-seven?

What's going on, you filthy scum?

Who the hell is this?

He's from another Krematorium.

Biederman expects him.

The hell I care!

OFFICER: Kapo, what's going on with the numbers?

OBERKAPO: Numbers down. We lost some men in the fire.

We'll see at roll call.

Attention!

March!

Why did you bring this one in?

SAUL: Rabbi.

For the dead.

We carry our dead ourselves.

People come to me.

I did.

I said Kaddish.

OLD RABBI: A rabbi? He's a thief with a beard!

That's the boy.

I hid him.

You'll tell me what to do.

ABRAHAM: Saul!

Where have you been all night?

I was taken to the pits.

The package?

The package sent by the women?

The powder! How will we blow up this thing now?

Fallen.

You found him?

He'll help us tomorrow.

You pick a rabbi from the dead?

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

The bundle?

He lost it.

(SAUL GRUNTS)

Stupid Jew!

Son of a bitch.

(COUGHING)

Who's this boy?

(INHALES AND EXHALES SHARPLY)

My son.

But you have no son.

I do.

- I have to bury him. - You don't need a rabbi for that.

At least he'll do what's right.

The man stays in the room. You get rid of the body.

SAUL: Rabbi!

(PANTING)

Dig!

(GRUNTING)

What's this?

- Don't dig here. - I don't understand.

What did you say?

This is my spot.

- (SIREN WAILING) - (WHISTLE BLOWING)

(PEOPLE SHOUTING)

Move.

Get going!

OBERKAPO: Come! Fast!

- (DOOR CLOSES) - (LOCKS LATCHING)

MAN 1: (WHISPERING) 70 men?

- MAN 2: He wrote the list? - How many men?

MAN 3: We can't afford to wait.

Krema II won't move a finger.

(MEN SHOUTING)

And this man now...

MAN 4: Well, Rabbi? It's Sabbath.

MAN 5: Can't you talk?

- SAUL: Leave him alone. - What do you want?

MAN 5: If he's really a rabbi, he should begin the prayer.

- We'll die because of you two. - We're already dead.

SAUL: I have to take care of my son.

He's not from my wife.

When did you last see him?

You have no son.

(DOOR OPENS)

You!

Get out!

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

Find me a boy.

Same age, same hair.

You failed the living for the dead.

OFFICER: Attention!

To the undressing room!

OFFICER 2: Back to work!

Gather all clothes.

- Another Kommando! - MAN: The guards burnt them!

This is Biederman's!

(GUNSHOT)

(MEN CLAMORING)

(MEN GRUNTING)

SAUL: Rabbi!

(GUNSHOT)

(GUNSHOT)

(MAN SHOUTING)

(GUNSHOT)

MAN: You come this way, scum!

Hurry up. You're going to fight.

Go, you bastard!

(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)

(EXPLOSION)

I brought this one. Use him.

(SAUL BREATHING HEAVILY)

Let me go.

(EXPLOSION)

(GUNFIRE)

(STRAINED GRUNTING)

SAUL: You!

(MEN SHOUTING)

(MAN SCREAMING)

(GUNSHOT)

- (GUNSHOT) - (MAN GRUNTS AND THUDS)

(PANTING)

(BULLET RICOCHETING)

(BULLETS RICOCHETING)

(EXPLOSION)

SAUL: Rabbi!

(SAUL GRUNTING)

(SIREN WAILING)

(SAUL PANTING)

(GRUNTS)

(GUNFIRE CONTINUES IN DISTANCE)

(STRAINING)

(GRUNTS)

(GRUNTS)

Say Kaddish.

Please. The prayer!

Glorified and sanctified...

be...

God's...

(SAUL BREATHING HEAVILY)

(GRUNTING)

Don't waste your time with them! Go!

(WATER SPLASHING)

(DOGS BARKING)

(GUNSHOT)

(GUNSHOTS)

(GUNSHOT)

(GASPS)

(COUGHING)

(GASPS)

(RETCHES)

(GRUNTS)

(GASPING)

(SAUL GRUNTING)

Five minutes and we go on.

Two kilometers into the forest...

There, we should meet someone...

from the Home Army.

They'll give us weapons.

We're going to fight. The Soviets are approaching Cracow.

If not, we'll go to Pszczyna.

MAN 1: They have weapons. And food.

MAN 2: Where do we find them?

We need to hide and wait.

MAN 1: No.

We have to find the Partisans and fight.

(DOG WHIMPERING)

(GUNFIRE)

(DOG BARKING)

(GUNSHOT)