Original subtitles

Captioning sponsored byCBS

andHALLMARK CARDS

Be careful, it's hot.

Here you go.

MAN: I'll writesomething 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?

Inspectionof the refugee centers.

Prevent the spread of typhus.

You Poles must solvethis problem.

It is a disgrace.

(playing mournful tune)

(men arguing indistinctly)

(speakingin 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 thinkyou'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 Krzysztofcame home,

the way our neighborslooked at him...

We were betrayed.I just know.

I'm sorry, Irena.

If the Germans find ushiding 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 needto be afraid.(sobs)

And tonight, you'regoing 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 mothersdo 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 herout 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 withMiss Jadwiga's children

while I find you alovely place to live.

Good girl.

Help her.

Come on. Let me help you withyour coat, here.

There we go.

She has passed outsidethe ghetto all this time.

There must be a Polishfamily who can take her.

Not any we knowpersonally.

I will ask Monsignor Godlewski.

He will know someonewe can trust.

Wait, wait, you mean now?

His soup kitchenis on my way.

You're going to the ghetto?

Yes. I'll see you later.

Irena, you rememberwe 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 havefilled 20 train cars of Jews

in Luxembourg and Vienna.

Deported them allto the ghetto in Lodz.

And here, every daythey bring more.

You know we aredoing all we can

to help Jews surviveoutside the ghetto.

Yes, yes, I know.Of course.

And today, I have a littlegirl and no Polish family

to hide her.

It is more difficult now.

Perhaps in yourcongregation?

(whispering):Irena, please!

Of all people, you knowthe risk for a Polish family.

Even so, is it not possiblethat there are some,

maybe even many Poles, who wantto 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 youthis fine day?

Is this work for a rabbi?

We all must livewith dignity.

Especially in daysof hatred.

Miss Irena, Miss Irena!

Karolyna.

Or should I say, the famousMiss Nijinska, prima ballerina?

Do you knowwhat I learned to do?

Do you want to see?

Of course. Youmust show me.

Brava.

How is your mother?

Well enough, if she behaves.

And your Jacob?

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

And to kiss you, I am sure.

Maybe, yes. A little.

I brought afew things.

Oh.

Let me.

Let me.

And this.

I brought you this skirt.

Irena.

You made this?

Can you imagine me puttingtwo stitches together?

Then your mother?She misses you.

So do I.

Oh, my dearest friendin the whole world.

Please.

Thank her.

Eva, I needto talk with you.

Over the last few weeks,

they have deported 20 freightcars of Jews from Austria

to the ghetto at Lodz.

Yes, we heard last night.

The Jewish Council says theyare headed for work camps.

Eva, your Jewish Councilwas appointed by Germans.

How many years have we listenedto their terrible propaganda,

what they say about Jews,

what they saythey have in mind?

It is just talk.

Rumor.

Who can believe it?

These are cultured people.

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

What could they do?

Yes.

Yes, I know.

(sobbing)

It is so confusing.

One day, someone sayssomething is true.

Another hears it's not.

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

We have to get you allout of here.

They would never leave.

I could never leave them.

I could find Polish familieswilling to hide you.

Those people believe it isbetter 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 chanceto 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 ourlittle department.

Thank you.My thanks to you.

Good morning, Miss Irena.

You missedan exciting meeting.

IRENA:Issued today--

the new ration card.

2,613 calories a dayfor Germans,

699 calories for Poles.

300 caloriesfor residents of the ghetto.

So we will have starvationalong 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 typhusvaccine you can get.

Yes.

Since the occupation,Jadwiga has done a brilliant job

of trying to balancean impossible budget.

But...

But, if we continueto spread our services

across every district of Warsaw,

we will not behelping anyone.

From now on, we must focusour full attention

on the Jewish ghetto.

Excuse me,Miss Irena?

The Jewish quarteris not our problem.

Why not?

The Germans put them thereto 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 knowwhat I am talking about.

Danuta, if the Jews are sick,

it is because the Germansput them there.

One reason, another reason.

What does it matter?

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

Whatever it isyou are thinking,

I am sorry.I cannot be part of it.

Anyone else who does not agreewith this direction,

I will arrangea department transfer.

Stefania, you have only beenwith us two months.

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

Very good.

Later, we go tothe refugee center.

(accordion plays plaintive tune)

Stefania.

We are at war.You are a soldier now.

A soldier must be toughor she cannot fight.

(child wailing)

(wailing continues)

Hold her. Hold herstill. Good, good.

Why do you bother?

Because we want your childto 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 doingall I could, but...

the truth isI am doing nothing.

Nothing?

Is it my imagination, orwas 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 alwayslived outside the ghetto.

Inside the walls, thereare 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 biggestheart I know.

But to risk everything

for something youknow nothing about...

No.

I rememberwhat 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 littlesmugglers from the ghetto.

No, I am Polish.

Let us see you makethe sign of the cross.

Come on. Go on. Do it.

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

but the way he looksand how he behaves,

can you imagine whatwe have been through?

Come along.

(gasping and murmuring)

With this red hair,

you do not thinkyou look Jewish?

And get yourself a cap.Yes, Miss.

If you want to surviveoutside the ghetto,

you must lie withmore conviction.

And learn tocross yourself,

like this. Now you.

Again, quickly.

Very good.Get out of here.

Wait!

MAN: Jasio, I have to goout on police patrol.

But I do not wantyou going out after curfew.

They can shoot you on the spot.

Why risk your life tosmuggle a few potatoes?

Huh? I make enough. Hey.

You are a traitor!Hey.

Can you not understand?

I only do what I doso that we can survive.

It is you who doesnot understand...

Mr. Policeman!

(wind howling)

IRENA:I want to help childreninside the ghetto.

It is very dangerous.

Too dangerous.

Yes, probably,but what would it take?

Well, I suppose, an organizednetwork of people you trust.

Enough moneyfor each child's room and board.

And if you agree,

more Polish families willingto hide a Jewish child.

I will tryand find some.

What about identity cards?

If I destroysome parish death certificates,

issuenew baptismal certificates,

that is all the proof Germansneed for an identity card.

(door opening)

The only thingis how to get them out.

There is someoneyou must talk to,

a young man who is smugglingpotatoes from the Aryan side.

He works in Korczak's orphanage.

Ask him to introduce youto Stefan Kaminski.

Kaminski?

Yes. That is him.

Good morning,Herr...

(children chattering)

IRENA:Professor Korczak?

How many children liveinside the ghetto?

Including all the oneswho live in the streets,

there must be at least 80,000.

Half under the age of ten.

Be brave now.(gasping)

Have you ever triedto get any out?

Out to where?

Not so many Poles wantto hide a Jewish child.

And how many Jews

would let their childrenlive with gentiles?

What about orphans,these ones?

Even if you found a way,

most of mine could notsurvive outside the wall.

Why not?

It's the language.She speaks Yiddish.

Is that not right, hmm?

They all speakexcellent Yiddish.

Polish--that is another matter.

And they are all beautiful.

But most are notpassable as Aryan.

Irena.

Hello, Stefan.

Hello, Irena.

Kaminski, Irenacame to see you.

You attended myclasses together.

Yes.

A long time ago.

(children chatting loudly)

Kaminski, let medeal with this.

Horrible little savagesright here, huh?

(squealing)

(chuckles)

I have, uh, found somethinghere with Professor Korczak

and the children.

I am glad.

But you stillsmuggle potatoes?

Irena Sendler, alwaysstraight to the point.

Tell me how.

I know a few safe waysto get out.

Blind spots the Germanshave overlooked.

There's the courthouse.

Which courthouse?

On Leszno Street.

There's also an entrancefrom 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 linegoes all the way down

to the central junctionunder Gdanski station.

And from there?

Anywhere you want.

One line goesunder Okopowa Street;

another goesunder Marszalkowska;

and a third line goes under NewTown and Miodowa Street.

STEFAN:The Germans keepthe court so busy,

they have forgottenthis entrance.

You remember our summer walksalong the Vistula River?

Every step.

Shall we?

Welcome to Warsaw.

Thank you, Stefan.

We will usethis 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 sitsbeside you every day--

is he your brother?

He died.

I am sorry.

Can you tell mewhere you live?

All right.

Come with me.

We have hot soupjust made for you.

Are you going to gether 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 somethingabout her hair.

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

All right, okay, let'stake this coat off.

Very good girl.

This beautiful girl.

Who'd give her away?

That will keepyou warm, hey?

Oh, much better.

Good girl.

You are goingto 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 fashionfor 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 peoplewithout shelter.Very kind.

Eva, Anna, come!

This way.Help me, please!

Now, this is perfect.

Let us reada little bit.

Thank you.Blankets here for you.

It's so cold outside.

This will dovery well, Rabbi.

Come on.

(Rabbi speaking indistinctly)

MAN:Here, sit here.Take your bottle.

Is your littlegirl all right?

(sighs)

Why do I have to be a Jew?

What if I wantto be something else?

I do not like being hatedby 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 getout of the ghetto.

Ways that are still safe.

I cannot...Yes, I know.

But I have been thinkingabout Karolyna.

Karolyna?

We know Polish familieswho can be trusted.

Several priests,convents in the countryside...

Stop, stop, Irena.

Let me ask you one thing.

Tell mefrom your heart:

How is it possible for a motherto give up a child? How?

Now I must ask you something.

A terrible thing.

No, no.

If it happenedthat the rumors are true,

and they took Karolyna,

if you had to choosebetween 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 whatthis author says about life?

Mama, please, I have to go.

Please, take one momentto breathe.

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

you must exerciseyour own free will.

Interesting.

Bye-bye.

Which is why I would never tellyou not to do something

or suggest to you that I wouldpossibly be worried.

I would never do such a thing.

No matterwhat happens.

Thank you, Mama.

Thank you.Okay.

(men shouting in German)

(marching footsteps)

IRENA:What has happened?

All the social service programshave been suspended.

Who has access?

From now on, onlynurses, doctors,

workers in thehealth department.

(speaking German)

(automatic gunfire)

And today I was told I amofficially responsible

for any further spreadof 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 healthdepartment work passes.

Four... no, no, maybefive nurses' uniforms.

Is that all?

Perhaps a larger vehicle.

We will seek orphanshomeless in the market area

and specific familieswe already know are willing

to let us placetheir children.

One of Dr. Majkowski'sdrivers has volunteered:

Piotr Lapinski.

Miss Irena.

Hello, Janek.

Hello.Hello.

Thank you, Piotr.

MARIA: Mr. Lapinskisprays 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 alwayshave each other.

One slip, oneword in Yiddish,

they could giveeach other away.

CHILD:Mama...

How will I everfind them?

IRENA:█I will keep a record of whereI 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 bewhen 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 usgo for a walk.

IRENA:Our Father, who art inheaven...

IZAAK:Our Father, who art inheaven...

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 isin heaven.

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day...

Give us this day...

our daily bread...

our daily bread...

and forgive usour trespasses...

and forgive usour trespasses...

as we forgive those...

as we forgive those...

who trespassagainst us.

who trespassagainst us.

♪ Ashes, ashes,we all fall down! ♪

(kids laughing)

Children!

Come now, all together.

Show Miss Irenahow we know our prayers.

ALL:Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lordmy 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 elseI should know?

She had a brother.

This is Adam.

Hello, Adam.

Does he speak Polish?

Perfectly.

Irena!

Jacob.

(sighs)

I did not meanto frighten you.

We have to beso careful.

Is Eva all right?And Karolyna?

Yes, everything is the same.

Irena, your instinctto take our daughter,

it is difficult, Irena,

but it is the right thingto do.

Eva has metwith community leaders.

They want to speakabout hiding the children.

Of course.

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

Who will claim our son?

I keep a record of every child.

And if this recordor you are destroyed?

What guarantee can you giveour children will survive?

I cannot guarantee anything,

not even escapefrom the ghetto.

Babies will pass more easily,

but if they can speak,they must speak Polish.

They must know Catholic hymnsand prayers.

My children onlyspeak Yiddish.

I understand.This is very difficult.

They will need to memorizetheir new Christian names,

their new home address,

the entire historyof their new family,

harmless gossip abouttheir neighbors, all of it.

What you are saying is we mustteach our children to lie!

To survive, yes.

What about conversion?

I make it clearI do not wish this.

You may not wish it,

but on young,impressionable minds,

time and education will surelydim any memories of their past.

In this case, he will grow upa good Christian.

(murmuring)

For mothers and fathersto give away a child is

an unthinkable act.This is the truth.

The other truthis that Hitler calls Jews

a cancer on the nation,

and he speaks openlyabout the annihilation

of every Jew on the continent.

(murmuring)

Outside these walls,

there are Poles who are preparedto risk their lives

to save your children.

MAN:We Jews...

we Jews have survivedin the hardest times,

and now are facedwith another extinction.

Perhaps this timewe can all be saved

by a new generation of Jews.

How wise are we to take awaythe birthright

of this new generation?

I recommend

we consider this proposal.

(murmuring)

I am not in favorof 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 uswith the difficult truths

of our time.

We should thank herfor 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 areand what you do.

The man you saw just now--

he is UntersturmführerKarl Brandt.

He is in chargeof Jewish resettlement.

We are toldin a few months,

they will begin to sendeveryone in the ghetto

to work campsin the east.

Why do youtell 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 outbefore he is caught and shot.

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

Mr. Laski, I will help your sonwithout conditions.

If, from time to time,you help me,

you will be helping manychildren, including your son.

There is a passage througha 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 thatis now in charge of the ghetto?

Yes, yes, forwork camp resettlement.

Stefan.

Do not be like this.

You know how many thousandsof Jews have disappeared

from the Lodz ghetto.

Vanished.And to where?

Someplace they call"resettlement."

Dr. Korczak told meto 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 overall of it.

Who?

Gestapo.

Guten Tag.

(praying in Hebrew)

ALL:Amen.

Karolyna, canyou tell us why

this night is differentfrom all other nights?

(singing in Hebrew)

(voice breaks, trails off)

Sweetheart?

I know why tonightis different.

Tonight is differentbecause 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 undergroundreceived information

verified by...

Polish train engineers,lucky Jews who escaped,

even a few good Germans.

They all say campsare being built...

Concentration camps,

work camps.

Auschwitz is like this,we know.

You remember

the thousands of Jewswho were deported from Lodz,

the ones who disappeared?

Last week

300 train cars of clothingreturned for sorting.

What else, Jacob?

We hear rumors they are buildinganother camp-- Treblinka--

only 90 kilometersfrom Warsaw,

where there are fakestation platforms,

undergroundbunkers.

One thing they have notconstructed: 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 wayto get you out of the ghetto.

RABBI:Get out, you say.

Get out how?

Get out to where?

EVA:Papa...

Irena has made an offerfor 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 Irenkahas risked her life

for us many times.

Now she has made an offerfor 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 wasa little girl in pigtails,

and after these many yearsyou know very well

an opinion from me...

is not a suggestion.

(sighs)

Next time, when you comeshe will be prepared.

Irena,

the underground knowswhat you're doing.

They want to help.

There's a manyou should speak to.

He goes by the name Trojan.

24 Zurawia Street.

Zurawia 24.

Mm-hmm.

For Karolyna,

I promise I willdo everything.

We know that, Irena.

We know.

(speaking German)

MAN:You have createdan efficient network,

already saved many children,

and so far no one has beenbetrayed or exposed.

Uh, we, the underground, have agood deal of money

and Viktor herehas many contacts.

It could be agood arrangement.

This money-- wheredoes it come from?

The Polish governmentin 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 yourescue children, if you agree.

I agree.

TROJAN:We'll provide you

with funds, papers,identification.

You will obtain thisby picking up

Konrad Zegota's laundry--

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

(gasping)

Looks like we areback 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 meetthat one fine day or night ♪

♪ We are regiments who keeptheir commands... ♪

♪ We'll march in light... ♪

(singing continues indistinctly)

(women sobbing)

♪ All our childrenand the homeland ♪

♪ Till we greetat peace again... ♪

(sobbing continues)

Stefan.

ANNOUNCER (German accent):Attention, all Jews!

You will beresettled to the East.

You will be safe.

But you must remain calmand obey the orders.

If you act against resettlement,you will be shot.

(dogs barking)

Attention, all Jews!

You will beresettled to the East.

You will be safe.

But you must remain calmand 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 calmas you move forward.

If you act in any way against resettlement,

you will be shot.

Attention, all Jews!

Obey orders and remain calmas you move forward.

If you act in any way againstresettlement, 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 sectionmay be emptied.

Tomorrow he will be ready.

I promise.

Look-- no morecourthouse entrance.

(turns off engine)

A big problem.

Oh, stop fiddling.

You're making me nervous.

You need to getmore rest.

For heaven's sakes, if I'd hada 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 canhear the truth.

You are a very braveyoung 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 needto get out.

It-it's not opening.

It's stuck.

Here. It-it, uh...

Can you pleasetry it, please?

It is... it is stuckfrom 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 getout of here.

We-We must call your...

(coughing)

Mama?

Irenka?

(snickers)

(Germans shouting)(screaming)

ANNOUNCER:Keep your doors open!

Any Jew left behindor 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 donea good thing, Jasio.

A very important thing.

And it may be hardto understand,

but the future will need yourcompassion, even more than now.

Which is why, tomorrowyou 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 seeany of you again.

Any of you.

Yes, you will.

I promise.

No, you can't promise.

Nobody can promiseanything anymore.

EVA:Darling,

darling, darling...

I love youwith all my heart.

My love for youis 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 whereare you from?

Krakow, Poland.

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

My uncle says Germanyis 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 forhim any longer.

I know...

I know.

Come. Come.

ANNOUNCER: Obey orders andremain calm as you move forward.

If you act in any way againstresettlement,

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 wayto make you strongso you can survive.

Here, give himmy 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 cando it. Put it on.

No...Okay, shh.

Now.

Jasio,listen to me.

Land on... landon your elbows.Please.

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

You keep yourhead down,Come with me!

and stay still until yousee the train is gone.

Papa, please, come with me.

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

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

I love you, Papa.

Please come with me.

Papa, please.Shh, shh!

You mustbe brave.

Jasio, youalready 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 blowingin distance)

(children murmuring)

Shh! Children...

Shh, shh, shh!

Children, children...this is Angela.

She will bejoining us.

Please don't leave me, please.

This war

will end, and you will survive

to be a motherand tell your story.

And one day,

if we are bothvery clever,

I will find you.

I promise.

Now there is somethingthat you must promise me.

You must promisethat you will always remember

that you are the famousMiss 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 havetaught me this as a child?

That is beautiful.

Oh.You're so mean to me.

Stefan is nottelling the truth.

It is hideous.

It's a mess.

This is nevergoing 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 anyonewho was sick.

Yes, until the Jewsgave 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 shopwhere you pick up

your laundry...on Bracka Street,

near Three Crosses Square.

We know you're notso involved

with these criminals,

and if you tell uswhere 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 continuesindistinctly)

(whip cracking)

(grunts)

(door clangs)

(fabric ripping)

(door clangs)

Sendler. Dentist.

(grunting)

You are wasting

your time and mine.

I am ordered to placea dressing,

I place a dressing.

For what?

She will be deadin 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 knowI would never betray you.

As a good soldier.Yes.

A good soldier,Stefania.

(Stefania sobbing)

You've donevery well.

(door opens)(all gasp)

Out! Out!

(truck engine humming)

Thank youfor 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 youit 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 couldnot save.

Believe me,

in this world...

to do a decent thingis not so bad.

It is time.

We must be in the mountainsbefore dark.

I love you.

Do not worry.

I will be fine.

Go.

Irena.

Trojan.Thank you so much

for allyou have done.No.

Thank you.

There-there is something

that-that Konrad Zegotamust have.

They are all here.

Every child...where we hid them.

When all this is over,

they must be returned

to whatever remainsof their families.

I will do it, I promise.

Thank you.

VIKTOR:From now on you areIrena Dabrowska.

"Once upon a time

there wasa little girl..."

I am so fond of storiesthat begin that way.

I have kielbasa

in beer with onions.

You like?Yes, I do.

Good.(gasps)

First, you must comemeet my pigs.

Really, Piotr, itis not necessary.

It is true what they sayabout Jews...

they make terrible farmers.

Piotr, please, put me down.

Oh, thank God!

Are you all right?

Yes.

IRENA (translated): Not so longago, it was Mother's Day here.

So today I would like usto celebrate that holiday

in the name of some of the mostanguished mothers in the world.

The Jewish mothers who hadto part with their children

during those terrible times.

And let us reflecton those Polish women

who took the Jewish children in

and brought them upas their own...

...risking their lives every dayand every hour in the process.

They loved those childrenso much that when the war ended,

they could hardly bearto part with them.

So let us give thoughtto those mothers.

Captioning sponsored byCBS

andHALLMARK CARDS

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