Original subtitles

(Birds chirping)

(Footsteps approaching)

(Man speaking Polish on radio)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Man groaning)

- That's all I could find.

- They just announced

the Germans and Soviets have signed a pact

dividing our land between them!

Poland is no more!

- Go tell the others.

(Man groaning)

- I will get the supplies.

- (Man): Bobby!

(Indistinct chatter)

- Aaah!

(Man shouting, indistinct)

(Gasping repeatedly)

(Coughing)

(Men speaking German)

(Horse whinnying)

(Airplane flying overhead)

(Men and women speaking foreign language)

- (Irena): Mama?

Excuse me sir but...

Why did you come out of this house?

- I live there.

Who are you?

- I'm sorry they--they changed all the names of the streets.

I--I must have the wrong address.

(Men speaking foreign language)

(Machinery whirring)

(Priest speaking, indistinct)

(Door opening)

- (Priest): Amen.

(Priest speaking Latin)

(Woman coughing)

(Bird calling, wings flapping)

(Priest): Amen.

Corpus Christi.

Corpus Christi.

(Door opening)

Corpus Christi.

(Soldier shouting in German)

- (Soldier): Raus !

Into the street!

All of you!

(Soldiers shouting in German)

- Attention, Poles!

From now on,

you'll be working to contribute to the German war effort.

Work hard, and no harm will come to you.

(Man whispering, indistinct)

Of course, take whatever you want.

- You.

You.

You, you.

You, you.

And you.

Into that truck over there.

You heard what the Major said, move!

(Soldier shouting in German)

(Soldier shouting in German)

(Soldiers marching)

(Metal clanging)

(Breathing heavily, metal clanging)

(Gasping)

- (Whispering): The commandant...

Irena, get back to work.

- Now what seems to be the problem?

If a worker faints,

it endangers the efficiency of the entire plant.

I won't have that. - (Foreman): Yes, Herr Major...

- Herr Major, please, you can ask anyone.

I have been working here for more than a year.

I'm a very good worker.

- I am responsible for a certain amount of production,

quotas, efficiency.

Do you even understand those words?

If she can't keep up with the work, get rid of her.

- Of course. - Herr Major, please.

I swear on my mother's life I was raised

to work hard and well.

I will... double up my efforts.

- What is your name?

Your name? - Irena Gut.

- Irena Gut.

You must be of German descent with a name like Gut.

Your features... Ja .

Definitely Germanic.

- I never knew my family on my father's side.

I was simply called Irena Gutowna.

- Hmm!

Well, I admire your honesty.

- I have nothing to hide.

I'm a very good worker.

- You're not going back. You're finished here.

- No, Herr Major, please, I will do any--

- The work is too difficult for you.

- No, if you'll just let me--

- How are you at kitchen work and serving food?

- Uh... yes, even though we had servants,

my mother raised me in all aspects of housework.

- Food preparation?

Sewing?

Laundering? - Yes, Herr Major!

- Yes, Herr Major.

Da .

(Footsteps retreating, metal clanging)

(Indistinct chatter)

How's your food?

- You do very well, Irena, efficient work.

- Thank you, Herr Schulz.

I will see to the dishes now.

- Leave them for a while, you need something to eat.

Sit down.

Take your time, chew your food.

No one's chasing you.

You remind me of my daughter.

The same age as you.

(Inhaling sharply)

Now, Irena...

in addition to your kitchen and dining room duties,

you will be in charge of supervising the Jews

who work in the laundry,

as well as being responsible for all tailoring

for both the officers and the female secretaries.

I suspect that the Jews have lied

about their tailoring ability.

We'll expect to see a marked improvement

in their performance.

Your survival in this new position will depend on that.

Is that clear, Irena?

- Yes, Herr Schulz.

- These are difficult times for all of us...

I used to be an innkeeper.

Now I work for the Major.

(Sighing)

He used to be a factory manager.

He can be harsh.

Do you know how one survives this sort of change in destiny?

You look down.

You look neither to the left nor to the right, nor up,

nor even straight ahead.

You look at your own two feet taking one step at a time.

What I mean is...

you worry about you.

You take care of you.

You know only what you need to know and the rest,

you will be like one of the monkeys.

Hear nothing, see nothing, speak nothing!

(Indistinct chatter)

(Sewing machines whirring)

- Hello.

My name is Irena Gut and from now on,

I will be in charge here.

I'm sorry to say that the officers and secretaries

are not happy with the tailoring that's been done so far.

In fact, my superiors,

Herr Schulz and Major Rugemer himself have suggested

that maybe you've been lying about your tailoring abilities.

- Oh no, Fraulein , quite the contrary.

We were, you know, before the war, expert tailors.

- Yeah. - All of us.

- Yeah, maybe we worked a little bit--

- I'm not here to inform on anyone.

Our survival in these positions will depend on

how well we do our new jobs.

I exaggerated to the Major my tailoring abilities and...

I suspect some of you may have done the same.

I was studying to be a nurse.

- I'm a nurse.

I was.

My name is Clara, Clara Bauer.

- I am Tomas Bauer, her husband.

My wife, she was, she still is, an excellent seam person.

- Seamstress.

One of the best. Clara, tell the Fraulein

- I'm not "the Fraulein. "

I lost my home, I've lost my family.

I'm a Polish girl who is a forced labourer,

just like you.

- Oh, with all due respect, Miss Gut,

you're not "just like us".

We--we are Jews.

They have different things in mind for us

than they have for you.

They've made--they've made raids into the Ghetto.

We've heard all different kinds of rumours.

- Yes, Lazar, rumours!

But we all have jobs.

We're necessary workers,

as all of us have a background in tailoring.

- The girl is right.

We have to do good work or we won't be

so necessary to them.

And as I said, I'm a nurse,

and my husband Tomas is an accountant.

- I'm, uh, Moise and this is my wife, Zosia.

We were just married.

I was in my last year of medical school.

- I'm Lazar, Lazar Haller. And...

this is my wife, Ida...

- Not tailors either, I'm afraid.

- (Lazar): Yeah.

- Alex Rosen.

Even less of a tailor than them.

- Abram Klinger.

I'm a music teacher.

- Joseph Weiss.

If you need a lawyer, I can be of help.

Otherwise...

- Marian Wilner... chemist.

- My name is Fanka Silberman.

I love to draw.

- Oh, sh-she's very good.

♪ ♪ ♪

(Footsteps retreating)

(Sewing machine whirring)

(Engine idling)

(♪ Jazz on radio ♪)

- What am I supposed to do for workers, huh?

That I can just get a whole new factory

full of inexperienced people and, and meet my quotas?

- Rugemer, it's because you're my dear friend

that I'm telling you all of this.

Don't rely on your Jews.

Find substitute workers, Poles, like your servant here,

people like us.

- But trained factory workers are very difficult to find.

- Within a few months,

I regret to say there won't be any left in this area.

Get used to the thought, Rugemer.

Find replacements.

The potatoes...

are excellent.

Paprika?

- My mother's recipe.

- Your mother must be a wonderful cook.

(Chuckling)

(♪ Jazz on radio ♪)

(Woman shouting, indistinct)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Airplane flying overhead)

- Fraulein ?

Why do you pass me by?

- Major Rugemer complained that the produce was wilted, so...

- Mine comes straight from the farm, Fraulein .

Look.

How much do you need?

- For the Major,

for the Officer's mess and secretaries, that's fifteen,

then eleven in the laundry.

- Laundry workers?

You give fresh produce to Jews?

- Yes.

- You must be more careful in what you say, Fraulein.

It isn't safe.

Do you understand?

(Man shouting in German)

- Off the streets!

Off the streets right now!

(Soldier shouting in German)

Fraulein, get off the street.

Get off the street!

(Indistinct shouting)

- (Soldier): Off the streets right now!

- Get off the street!

(Woman sobbing)

- (Soldier): Come on you Jew pigs!

- (Woman): She's just a baby! Please!

She's just a baby, please!

(Shouting indistinct)

- Come on!

Keep them moving!

- (Soldier): Sturmbannfuhrer Rokita.

(Woman sobbing)

- (Rokita): What? - She's just a baby, please.

- You are afraid the baby might be hurt?

- Yes, Your Honour. - Ah.

Your Honour?

(Crying)

Very polite.

Very respectful.

(Baby crying)

Oh!

Baby, may I?

Hmm!

Oyoyoy, little baby.

Hmm!

(Baby whining)

Hmm?

(Baby thudding)

- No!

(Woman wailing, Irena breathing heavily)

(Gun clicking)

- No--

(Moaning)

- N--

(Irena sobbing)

- Keep them moving.

Come on!

(Breathing heavily)

(Rokita): Keep them moving!

(Breathing shakily)

- Irena, bring--

- (Whispering): I have seen things, Herr Schulz.

Terrible things, horrible things.

- Don't tell me.

I don't want to know.

And if you know what's good for you,

you'll forget everything you've seen.

Now pull yourself together and go out there

and serve dessert.

- But I...

But I... They...

(Sobbing, sniffling)

- I don't want to know.

You're going to serve dessert now, Irena.

Do you understand me?

You're going to serve dessert and you're going to remember

what I told you about your survival here.

Because sometimes, survival means serving dessert.

(Soldiers speaking, indistinct)

- (Rokita): Well, if not for the roads,

this place would be barren.

Otherwise, it couldn't have gone more smoothly today.

Ah!

Kasekuchen , my favourite.

How did you know?

Mmm!

Next step, we'll hit Staroskolnastrasse .

Mm-mmm! Really delicious!

Really Irena, you're one to marry!

(Chuckling)

(Man shouting, indistinct)

(♪ Rokita whistling ♪)

(Dog barking)

(Soldiers marching)

(Whistle blowing)

(Dogs barking)

(♪ Whistling ♪)

(Pounding on door)

(Glass shattering)

No screams...

No one is screaming.

- Sturmbannfuhrer Rokita, there is no one there!

- What?

Give me that.

(Gun cocking)

(Machine gun firing)

Search everywhere!

Everywhere, do you hear me?

(Soldiers shouting, indistinct)

I want every vacant building sealed up hermetically!

I don't want a mouse to be able to find a hiding place!

(Soldiers shouting, indistinct)

(Dogs barking)

(Indistinct chatter)

It's not just end results, Rugemer.

But it's the technique, the genius of it.

It's the application of modern science

to a political and social disease.

(Inhaling sharply)

- I run factories, my friend.

I am not a philosopher.

- This isn't philosophy.

It's good German engineering.

At first, nothing important, you have to wear a star.

Who's going to fight about a star, hmm?

Then you ban them from public parks.

All right, inconvenient.

But no one's going to start a rebellion

because they can't walk their dog in the park.

Then you ban the dog.

Each time, the circle constricts just a little more.

Each time, you make them believe

that a piece of paper can save them.

A piece of paper that only you can give them.

Each time, they get that much more used to standing in lines

and doing exactly as they're told.

Use them for labourers, by all means.

Get some good out of them.

Make them less resistant, more pliable, more cooperative.

Until we use them up.

Until there's nothing left.

Until what's left is just something you'd throw away.

Mmm!

Ah, bread!

(Inhaling deeply)

So warm!

- Give me strong workers to fulfill my quotas,

not worn out ones.

My factory needs to be efficient.

- You think you have quotas?

I assure you it's nothing compared to the pressure

we in the S.S. are under.

I have until July 22nd to make sure

that this entire sector is Jew-free.

After that,

if there's a single living Jew left in Tarnopol...

I can kiss my promotion goodbye.

- To kill everyone?

Everyone in the work camp?

The entire ghetto?

- You think any of it makes any sense?

They're madmen! Murderers!

- Tomas is right.

Maybe they're just going to hit one street or another but--

- Rokita told the Major.

I heard him myself.

And this morning, he told me he would be getting...

eleven replacements... July 22nd.

Please, you have to believe me.

- Why would they replace us?

We are necessary workers!

- What is necessary to them is to get rid of all the Jews!

And when they finish, they'll start killing Poles...

anyone they think is not of the Master Race.

You have to find a place to hide!

- Irena, if we had a place to hide,

we'd be hiding.

(Footsteps approaching)

- (Rugemer): I've been waiting for you, Irena.

Where have you been?

- I--I was in the laundry to go over the work schedules--

- You won't have to worry about that from now on.

Your services won't be required here any longer.

- But why?

I--I think I've been a good worker.

- Enough! I'm not asking, I am telling you!

I am going to be moving out

of these bachelor officers' quarters.

I expect to be doing a good deal more entertaining

and I need something more... sumptuous.

I have commandeered a villa at the end of town

and I want you to be my housekeeper.

You will have... soldiers, painters

to do the heavy lifting and cleaning.

You... will be in charge.

You can start to work as soon as

the present tenants have left, July 23rd,

and then you will have 2 weeks

in which to get the place in shape.

- Yes.

Yes, of course, Herr Major.

♪ ♪ ♪

(Footsteps approaching)

I saw a place where I can hide you.

- Where did you find such a place?

Where no one would ever think of looking for you.

In the house

of one of the highest-ranking German officers in Tarnopol.

- (Marian): What? That's insane.

Why don't you just hand us over to the Gestapo?

- I have nothing else to offer.

There is one problem, though.

There's a Polish family who's renting the villa

from the authorities.

The Major is giving them until the 23rd to move out.

- Oh...

And the German plan to eliminate us

and every other Jew in Tarnopol is on the 22nd...

- (Irena): Exactly.

- So we have to find a place to hide for this gap.

- (Whispering): Yeah...

(Sighing)

♪ ♪ ♪

(Metal clanking)

If you can think of something better, tell me.

The Major is going out to a theatrical performance

on the 21st.

While he's out, I can get you in.

- And how will you get us out?

- I have not thought of that yet.

- Don't you think you should?

- I think if we thought any of this through at all,

we wouldn't do it.

We would be out of our minds to even consider such a thing.

(Engine idling)

♪ ♪ ♪

(Door unlocking, Irena gasping)

- (Herr Schulz): Irena?

(Herr Schulz): What are you doing here?

- Herr Schulz, uh...

Well, I just want to turndown the Major's bed and then...

Well, he probably showered,

so I should clean it before he gets back.

It will be fresh for the morning.

- Where are the towels?

- Uh, the towels, Herr Schulz?

- (Herr Schulz): You should lay out fresh towels as well.

Proper turndown service.

Fresh towels.

Do you understand?

- Yes, I will get some right away.

- Hmm.

(Footsteps retreating)

(Footsteps approaching)

- (Irena): Here.

(Exhaling sharply)

(Breathing heavily)

(Whispering): See you tomorrow night.

(Ida coughing)

(Ida coughing)

(Dogs barking)

(Soldiers speaking German)

(Soldiers speaking German, dogs barking)

(Footsteps approaching)

- Where are your laundry workers?

My manifest shows me that you have...

eleven Jews working in your laundry.

- Herr Lieutenant asked you a question.

Where are the Jews from the laundry?

- I don't know.

They're not in the laundry, I assure you, Lieutenant.

I locked the room myself.

- They probably were rounded up with the office workers

this morning.

In fact, I'm sure they must have been.

- If the Lieutenant wishes to search the Laundry,

I have the key.

- Of course, if you simply sign off on the fact

that they were rounded up with the others this morning,

you'll save us all a lot of trouble.

But that's up to you.

On the other hand, if you can't find them,

you might be the one who will be held responsible.

- Yes...

I'm sure as you say...

they were rounded up this morning.

Thank you.

(Footsteps retreating)

- I don't want to know anything.

Good luck in your new position, Irena.

And goodbye.

(Footsteps retreating)

(Gunshots in distance)

(Gunshots in distance)

- Will you be going out again this evening, Major?

- No...

there's no place to go tonight.

(Rugemer): No place to get away from the noise.

I'm going to go to bed early.

I overdid it a bit last night, I'm afraid.

(Chuckling)

(Gunshots in distance)

(Sighing)

(♪ Woman singing in German on radio ♪)

(Rugemer snoring)

- (Whispering): Take off your shoes.

(Snoring)

(Ida coughing)

(♪ Woman singing in German on radio ♪)

(Ida coughing)

(Window closing)

(Wood creaking)

(Crickets chirping)

(Irena): Here, help me.

(Grunting)

No noise, no lights.

(Breathing heavily)

(Birds chirping)

(Indistinct chatter)

And the windows.

Uh, careful with the corners.

(Indistinct chatter)

(Birds chirping)

I will go get something nice and cold for you to drink,

and some food.

OK, let's go!

- So, after lunch, we start cleaning the attic?

- No, the cellar, first.

(Indistinct chatter)

I would like you to install an electric light, please,

with one switch in my room, one in the kitchen

and one down here.

If I have to go down here in the dark,

I don't want to break my ankle.

- Sure.

Good night, Fraulein Gut.

Tomorrow the attic, yes?

- Yes, perfect!

- Well...

at least it doesn't look like a pig sty anymore.

Hmm?

- Thank you, Herr Major.

- At any rate,

it's going to be so much easier for you from here on out.

I'm going to move an orderly in to help you

with the heavy work, a soldier.

(Inhaling sharply)

He'll be at your command and he can sleep in the cellar.

- But you can't! Uh...

- I can't?

I can't what? What are you talking about?

- Sir, I--I know I have nothing to fear from you.

You are a cultured and a mature man but...

I had a bad experience with soldiers...

Soviet soldiers and...

Under the same roof with a soldier,

I would be terrified the whole time.

- Don't be an idiot.

There's far too much work for one person.

I'm having many people for dinner the first party alone.

You can't possibly do all the work for them!

- But I can, you will see!

I know how to run an efficient kitchen.

And an orderly would only be in the way.

- I'll give you one chance and one chance only.

But if you can't keep up at this party,

the next day, my orderly moves in.

(Man and woman speaking German)

(Indistinct chatter)

(♪ Classical on radio ♪)

- (Man): Danke shoen .

- (Rugemer): You want some caviar?

It's very good.

Thank you, Irena.

Are you enjoying the party?

(Indistinct)

- I will get some more.

(Keys clanging)

(Door unlocking)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Door locking)

- My guests are getting a little impatient, Fraulein.

We must be sitting down for dinner soon, ja?

- Yes, Herr Major.

- Good.

- (Man): Rugemer! - Ah!

(Indistinct chatter)

- Salad!

- One second, one second...

Yeah, OK!

(Whispering): Go! Go, go, go!

♪ ♪ ♪

(Guests speaking German)

- (Rugemer): Good! OK!

(Glass clinking)

Bon appétit !

(Chuckling)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Rugemer): Enjoy!

- Oh, listen, it's a strudel.

It's ready to cook, 20 minutes in the oven.

- (Irena): OK! - My grandmother's recipe!

(Chuckling)

- (Rugemer): Ah, here we are!

Irena, the strudel!

- Coffee, Herr Major? - Yeah, please, thank you.

(Indistinct chatter)

(Laughing)

- Well, thank you again, lovely party!

- And the strudel was divine.

- Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves.

- Good night. - Good night.

Hmm...

Amazing.

- I'm almost done, Herr Major.

- Huh!

I swear... you've done the work of six people.

- Thank you.

- Are you...

Are you like Cinderella, then, hmm?

With an army of mice that are your secret footmen

and scullery maids?

Hmm? - No, sir...

I'm just aware that in order to keep this position,

I must prove to you my efficiency in the kitchen.

- Ah...

Well...

your service tonight has been satisfactory, Irena.

Efficient and satisfactory.

So, for the time being,

we can do without an orderly.

Good night. - Good night.

(Yawning, indistinct chatter)

We did it!

(Sighing, chuckling)

- Now have some water.

(Chuckling)

- Irena?

Irena? Open up!

No need to lock up every time.

(♪ Man singing folk in German on radio ♪)

(Sniffling)

(Inhaling deeply)

(Metal tapping)

- (Whispering): Thank you.

- I only found this.

(Sighing)

(Metal tapping)

(Footsteps approaching)

(Light switch clicking)

(Footsteps continue)

(Keys clanging)

(Wood creaking)

(Footsteps approaching)

- Why didn't you tell me about our guests in the cellar?

And don't pretend as if you didn't know.

- Uh, know what, sir? - I want them exterminated.

- Major I have no idea--

- I don't want a trace of them down there!

- But I honestly-- - The rats!

- The rats?

- Filthy, disgusting, disease-ridden rats!

And don't you tell me that you haven't heard them!

Your room is right above them in the cellar

and I've heard them, I can assure you.

You should have--

you should have seen to them when you cleaned the place!

- You're right. I--I've been meaning to say something.

- I can't tolerate even the thought of them!

They have to be gotten rid of, the sooner the better.

Top to bottom.

- Yes, that is exactly what should be done.

But you must give me some time, please, Herr Major.

- Time? Time for what?

- Well, there are vegetables,

which have been so hard to come by.

You know how you demand fresh vegetables.

They are hard to find these days.

Simply give me the time to have it moved.

- Just... kill... the rats!

Do you understand?

Kill... those rats! - Yes, Herr Major.

This time, I don't know.

(Joseph sighing)

- Maybe... - Maybe what, Abram?

- Maybe things aren't as grave as they seem.

(Scoffing)

- I'm glad you think so.

And when the exterminators come?

- What I mean is... it was a Jewish house.

- (Lazar): Hmm?

- (Abram): It was built by Jews.

- So?

- So, there must be a hiding place!

- (Fanka): That's right! - Yeah.

No Jew would have built a villa like this without a room,

big enough to hide his entire family!

- There has to be one here. - (Man): Yeah.

(Metal clanging)

(Knocking on wall)

- I found it!

- (Ida): Abram, can you see where it leads?

- Not yet!

- (Ida): Abram, are you all right?

- Could he have come out on the street?

Could the Germans have seen him?

- (Abram): Rats!

- What?

(Grunting)

- Rats!

- That's all you found?

- (Abram): No.

(Metal scraping brick)

(Grunting)

(Grunting)

- We are in the gardens, somewhere.

- We're next to the gazebo.

- It's perfect.

Not just till they finish fumigating,

but we can be safe here.

- Yeah. - It's a real hiding place.

- Mm-hmm.

- Irena, if you can get us some electrical wire,

I can rig up an alarm bell.

- Mm-hmm.

- There are some spare mattresses in the cellar.

We can bring those here.

- Yeah. - And soap and water.

- Maybe some newspapers

so we can read something of what is happening outside.

- Yeah.

- Maybe some books. - Oh, yeah, books.

I miss books so much!

- We can make a chess set.

Perhaps we could get a deck of cards.

(Chuckling)

- Chess? Cards?

This is not a resort hotel.

- A hotel?

We live in a coal bin,

completely cut off and scared to death

about what could be happening to our families on the outside.

So if Tomas asks for some chess set or maybe a book,

suddenly for you, that's a resort?

We had things... Tomas and I!

We had a house as beautiful as this villa!

And china and drapes and parties!

- Well I could bring the papers down

after the Major's done with them and...

I--I can get a deck of cards,

I'm sorry, I didn't think--

- No, you--you have nothing to be sorry about.

Without you, we'd all be dead.

- He's right. - Yeah.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

- Yeah.

(Bird calling)

(Engine starting)

(Indistinct chatter)

- (Alex): Oh, you're always the lucky one!

(Laughing, indistinct chatter)

(Chuckling)

- It's fantastic!

- (Lazar): Welcome, Irena, to our humble home!

- What's that? Storage?

(Laughing)

- We've christened it the honeymoon suite.

There are 3 married couples here so, you know....

(Chuckling)

- (Lazar): We only have water,

but... the occasion calls for something.

OK. - (Alex): Here you are.

- Thank you. - (Lazar): So...

(Chuckling, indistinct chatter)

Guys, L'Chaim!

- (All): L'Chaim!

- (Irena): To life. - Yeah.

- L'Chaim!

- (All): L'Chaim!

(Bell ringing)

- You're the lady from the square,

the--the vegetable seller. - Yes, from the market.

- Oh, well, we have all the vegetables we need,

and I'm expecting the fumigators anyway

so I have no place to store them.

- I understand.

(Basket rustling)

I've been watching your house.

You're hiding Jews here.

- That is a filthy lie!

I--I work for a very important German officer--

- My husband is a Jew.

I've been hiding him myself,

but it's only a matter of time before he's found.

Please, you've got to take him in.

- Henry Weinbaum?

- My God... he worked for--

- He worked for Rokita himself!

He was his butler after he had to leave

his profession as a printer.

Couldn't work as a printer.

- That's why Rokita has been looking for him like a madman.

He takes it as kind of an insult

that his personal Jew has been able to escape.

- Well, wonderful.

We'll bring the most wanted Jew in Poland down here.

I say it's out of the question.

- (Lazar): I agree.

- I know it's a tragedy,

but we cannot hide every single Jew in the cellar.

- Henry Weinbaum... already knows we are here.

So they catch him, don't you think they will ask

what other Jews are in hiding and where?

And don't you think Rokita would make it his own business

to get every bit of information out of him?

(Sighing)

(Breathing heavily)

- Henry Weinbaum.

(Engine starting)

(Door locking)

(♪ Piano ♪)

- Abram found the piano.

- Yes.

- Beautiful music.

(Vehicle approaching)

(Gasping)

- (Ida): What was that? - (Irena): Someone's coming!

Into the hiding place!

- What is it?

- I don't know!

- Run!

(Truck approaching)

- Go! Go! Go!

(Switch clicking)

(Bell ringing)

- Open it now or I'll break the door down!

(Door opening)

Why the hell don't you open this door

when an S.S. Officer tells you to, are you deaf?

- Sorry, I was washing my hair, didn't hear you ring.

- Out of my way.

How many people live in this house?

- Uh, just two. - Hmm.

- I'm the housekeeper.

- Quite a lot of dishes for just 2 people,

wouldn't you say, Fraulein?

- The Major had a small gathering here last night

with Sturmbannfuhrer Rokita.

- The Major?

- Major Edward Rugemer.

This is his house.

If you wish to search,

you might need to get permission from him.

- No one leaves this house, you understand?

No one!

(Footsteps approaching)

(Soldiers speaking German)

(Vehicle approaching)

- Who is the imbecilic moron who is in charge here?

Is it you?

Stand at attention when a superior officer talks to you,

you insolent young swine!

You dare to accuse me of hiding Jews in my house?

Answer me!

- Obviously Major, we were... misinformed.

- This is Fraulein Gut,

my housekeeper and trusted assistant.

She will show you around. Search thoroughly.

If you find any Jews, come back "pew" shoot me.

If you don't find any,

then we will see who's to be shot.

- Please sir, a search won't be necessary.

- Oh! (Chuckling)

It is very necessary. My honour is at stake!

Get out of my sight and go find your Jews!

- Shall we begin in the attic?

(♪ Woman singing folk in German on radio ♪)

(♪ Rugemer humming ♪)

(Exhaling slowly)

(♪ Humming ♪)

(Door closing, engine starting)

(Door locking)

(Inhaling deeply)

- Ida is pregnant.

- That's wonderful!

- I told you she would react like this.

- Here is the list of the things I'm going to need.

You just go to the pharmacist's--

- There's plenty of time to get medical supplies.

- Irena, these are the things I'm going to need

to perform an abortion.

Clara will assist me.

- Irena we, uh, we can't bring a baby into--into this.

- It would be endangering all of our lives.

- Yours too.

- It would be only a matter of time before the Major

or somebody else heard the crying.

- Listen, we--we've all talked it over.

It's the only thing to do.

- I can't. I--I...

This is absurd.

And my religion...

- This is not a matter of religion.

This is life and death.

- I can't.

I can't do this. - You don't have to do this.

I'm going to.

I just need you to get the supplies I requested.

- Ida... everyone's talking but you.

Everyone seems to have an opinion.

But what about you?

Do you want to have this baby?

- Yes, of course.

But not now.

Not in these conditions.

It will be too dangerous for all of us.

You're right.

This is not just a matter of religion.

I saw a baby...

ripped out of its mother's arms and killed in front of me,

and... I could do nothing.

I made a vow then that if I ever could save a life, I would.

That's why without even thinking I took you here to hide you.

It's not enough to just... save a life...

to simply survive.

We have to live.

Otherwise, the Hitlers of the world have won.

Ida, if there was no Hitler, no--no camps, no S.S.,

no Major Rugemer...

would you have this baby?

(Sighing)

- Yes.

- Then I'm not going to help Hitler get another Jewish baby.

He won't get rid of you... of us.

I think we should have faith.

Because if we don't,

something else will die inside of us too.

- But if anything goes wrong, we all pay the price.

- Everything has already gone wrong,

and we're still here.

(Chuckling)

(Tableware clattering)

- When I was a little girl, I...

I used to hate it when my mother made me

help her with the dishes.

I never thought I could look forward to it...

but I never thought I would be living in a cellar.

(Bell ringing)

- Go! Go, go, go!

- "You Jew-loving whore.

"I know you're hiding Jews in this house.

"I give you until tonight, seven o'clock,

"to bring 60,000 zlotys in a bag.

"Bring it to the train station and leave it on the bench

"next to the clock.

"Do not tell anyone, don't look back.

"I'll be watching you, ready to shoot you down.

If you don't comply, the Gestapo will get you all."

- Where can we get that kind of money?

- And even if we pay,

what stops him from demanding more?

- Whoever it is doesn't know for sure.

Maybe they're only guessing.

- In which case, if we pay,

we've told him he guessed right.

- Yeah, but if we don't pay, he will go to the Gestapo.

And this time, they will do a real search.

- Oh, stop the nonsense.

We don't have the money.

- Irena's done enough for us.

Maybe we should just wait until dark and--

- (Irena): No, that's out of the question.

- Besides, he may be watching our house.

- There might be an elegant way out of this.

Irena, show the note to the Major.

- Are you out of your mind? - (Marian): What?

That's ridiculous!

- May I, please.

Look.

What would happen if we simply tore off,

"You Jew-loving whore," hmm?

- So that anyone reading this cannot tell

it was addressed to a woman.

- (Lazar): Uh...

- One will think it was left for the Major.

- (Lazar): That's clever.

- (Rugemer in German): Schweinhundt !

Someone--someone is trying to ruin me.

I will kill them!

This swine thinks he can accuse me of harbouring Jews?

Irena, you know every inch of this house.

You know it would be impossible for me to be hiding any Jews!

- Of course not Herr Major.

- Rokita? I...

(Rokita on phone, indistinct)

I'm being blackmailed.

This is a matter for the Gestapo and I ask your assurances

that you will move immediately.

I received a letter here demanding I pay 60,000 zlotys

tonight or this--this scammer will tell the Gestapo

that I've been hiding Jews in my house!

In my house!

(Rokita on phone, indistinct)

You've been here many times.

The next thing you know,

they'll say that you are an accomplice!

(Chuckling, breathing heavily)

(Rokita on phone, indistinct)

Irena?

Maybe. Maybe you're right.

(Chuckling)

Irena...

there's something I need you to do for me.

(Soldiers speaking German)

(Train whistling in distance)

(Bell tolling)

(Irena gasping, man mumbling indistinctly)

(Train whistling)

(Rokita blowing whistle)

(Men shouting in German)

(Grunting)

(Punches, kicks landing)

(Irena breathing shakily)

(Train passing on tracks)

- Calm down, Irena.

Here... drink this.

(Telephone ringing)

Yeah?

Yeah?

Excellent.

(Irena sighing)

She did what?

Ah, well, you know...

Hmm!

Thank you, my friend.

Good night.

That was Rokita.

He said you let out quite a scream in the waiting room

when some poor old man bumped you.

He said you could never make a spy.

(Chuckling)

They have the blackmailer in the Gestapo's hands now.

Did you see him?

- Why? Will I have to identify him?

- No.

I don't think so.

They shot him.

(Chuckling)

Swine...

You did well tonight. You can take the day off.

I can see to my own breakfast.

- Thank you.

- Oh, and if you see any Jews in the cellar,

give them my regards.

(Chuckling)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Airplane flying overhead, explosion)

(Screaming)

(Men and women shouting, indistinct)

(Airplane flying overhead)

(Sighing)

(Airplanes flying, explosions in distance)

(Explosions in distance)

(Sighing)

(♪ Classical ♪)

(Indistinct chatter)

- (Man): Danke !

(Men and women speaking German)

- (Rugemer): Yeah, I know!

Ah!

Well, I'm glad that you have finally accepted some help.

Huh?

- You were right.

Thank you for hiring Herr Schulz.

♪ ♪ ♪

- (Rugemer): Excuse me one moment, please.

(Crickets chirping, indistinct chatter)

(Laughing)

(Speaking German)

(Ida coughing)

(Coughing)

- (Lazar whispering): Maybe try with this.

- It's so damp in here.

Impossible to get rid of her asthma.

(Coughing)

(Sighing, sniffling)

- Lazar?

- What?

- The baby's moving!

(Chuckling)

(♪ Classical ♪)

(Indistinct chatter)

- We have overextended ourselves

on the Eastern front.

It's a classic mistake,

but they won't listen to us in Berlin.

Oh, no.

And meanwhile, the Soviets...

they are advancing every day!

- No, my dear Major, Berlin knows best.

At least, that's what they keep telling me.

(Laughing)

(Indistinct chatter)

(♪ Folk on radio ♪)

- (Schulz): Hmm!

- It's good to see you here, Schulz.

- My life has been boring since you left.

- Are the guests enjoying the food?

- Ah well, the guests who are interested in the food,

are, of course, enjoying the food.

(Alcohol splashing)

But that Rokita!

He had his hand up his secretary's skirt

under the table the entire dinner.

- The man is a pig. - Mmm!

He couldn't wait the end of the evening.

He brought her in the gazebo.

- Could you serve the coffee, please?

- Is anything wrong? - No!

No, not at all.

(♪ Folk on radio ♪)

- Not again. Not again this one.

- (Man): Yeah, come on!

- What's that?

(Man and woman speaking, indistinct)

(Coughing)

- (Whispering): Quiet, quiet, quiet.

(Ida moaning, Abram shushing)

(Ida breathing heavily)

(Woman laughing)

- St-stomach cramp again.

(Man sighing)

(Ida breathing heavily)

- Contractions.

You're having contractions.

(Woman laughing, Ida groaning)

- (Clara): She's not due yet.

(Ida moaning)

- Just... breathe.

Breathe slowly.

(Coughing)

(Woman laughing)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Inhaling deeply, exhaling slowly)

- (Man): Come on.

(Ida moaning)

(Man moaning)

- (Woman): Someone's coming!

- What? - Someone's coming!

- (Irena): Sturmbannfuhrer Rokita?

(Rokita groaning, woman giggling)

I brought you schnapps and strudel.

My Major said you must try--

- Thank you, Irena. I don't need anything.

(Chuckling)

Oh dear, I think we should go back inside, don't you think?

- Yes. - Oh! Don't worry about it.

I'll pick it up. - Careful the step!

- (Woman): Thank you!

- (Rokita): Let's go get a glass of champagne.

We'll resume later.

(Breathing heavily)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Bell ringing)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Soldier shouting in German)

- (Soldier): Everyone into the town square.

(Soldier in German): Schnell !

- What is this all about? - Keep going!

- I am Major Rugemer's housekeeper.

Here, you can examine my papers.

- No exceptions! Move along!

(Man speaking foreign language)

- (Soldier in German): Schnell!

(Indistinct shouting, chatter)

- Attention, attention !

You have been brought here today to witness ...

punishment .

This is what happens to Aryans who try to shelter Jew pigs !

Europe is going to be Jew-free.

And it is going to be free of Jew lovers as well .

Because this is what will happen to them...

and their precious Jews !

Music please.

(♪ Tango on radio ♪)

(Rokita clears throat)

(♪ Rokita whistling ♪)

(Grunting, screaming)

(Crowd murmuring)

(Irena sobbing)

♪ ♪ ♪

(Rope squeaking)

(♪ Rokita whistling ♪)

(Sighing)

(Sniffling)

(Breathing heavily)

- (Zosia): Good morning!

- (Clara): Irena, how can we help today?

Is everything all right?

You look terrible.

- N-no, I'm all right.

- Can we help you with anything?

- You look as if you'd seen a ghost.

(Door opening, footsteps approaching)

(Door closing)

(Breathing shakily)

- What have you done?

I trusted you!

For all we know,

they could be watching the house right now!

You've killed us both.

You've killed us both!

- Herr Major-- - Get rid of them now!

(Breathing shakily)

- (Whispering): Go down to the hiding place.

- What are you going to do?

- (Whispering): I don't know.

(Bottle clanging)

Herr Major-- - How could you?

- You are a good man. I know you are.

- All along they were in my house.

Three Jews in my house!

(Sniffling, sighing)

(Chuckling)

This is what the blackmailer's letter was about, huh?

And when Rokita was here, you were laughing at me.

You and the Jews were laughing at me.

- No!

No, they are 3 innocent women, 3 women who are my friends.

- They're Jews!

They're Jews!

They're the enemy!

- No they're not, Herr Major.

They're not anyone's enemy!

(Sobbing)

But if you think the punishment for this should be death,

then... kill me.

Kill me or turn me in. But let them go.

Please, take me to the Gestapo.

I will confess, but give them a chance to escape.

Please, I-I beg you, Herr Major.

- Idiot!

(Bottle clanging)

Do you think that they will believe that I didn't know

there was 3 Jews hiding in my house!

Do you?

Rokita will have me killed, just to save his own skin!

You have killed us both, Irena.

You have killed us both!

- Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners...

- Shut up.

- ... now and at the hour of our death.

- Shut up, I said shut up!

- Blessed art thou among women-- - Shut up!

(Irena sobbing)

(Rugemer sniffling)

Such... (Sniffling)

... ingenuousness... you have.

(Breathing shakily)

(Sighing, gun clanging on desk)

(Sighing)

I'm old...

and tired...

of the killing.

of all of it.

Of all of it.

(Sighing)

Turn you in?

(Scoffing)

(Inhaling deeply)

(Exhaling slowly)

There may be a way.

There may be a way...

that I can keep your secret.

If I...

if I thought that you...

you loved me...

wanted me, a man--

a man could do that for a woman who he knew loved him...

wanted him.

It would have to be...

It would have to be that I thought

that you loved me, Irena...

and if... I thought that you wanted me too...

- Herr Major-- - Irena...

Irena, I...

Oh...

(Irena sniffling)

I will help you.

I will help keep your secret, Irena.

Our secret.

Irena...

(Sniffling)

... my love...

(Irena sobbing)

(Birds chirping)

(Rugemer): Tell me about your family.

- (Irena): Why ?

- Because I'm interested, I--I want to know who you are.

- What does it matter who we are?

What we do is who we are.

- Yeah.

- My father is a chemist and architect and...

my mother took care of my 4 younger sisters and I.

My mother is warm and...

full of energy.

- That makes me think of someone next to me.

- Our house was taken away.

I just hope they're still alive.

- War is filthy.

Animals behave better than humans.

My mother was...

strict...

but with a heart of gold.

If she could see me...

my life...

she would scream of shame.

(Chuckling)

You look so ravishing, my love.

(Door closing)

(Engine starting)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Spitting)

- Whore!

- Mama! What are you doing?

I'm so sorry, Fraulein! - Fraulein?

She's a Polish whore!

You don't even deserve to be called a Pole.

Sleeping with this German officer!

- Quiet, Mama!

(Whispering): Quiet!

Please, I beg you.

She's old. She's senile.

She doesn't know what she's saying.

- You want to sell to a whore, sell to a whore.

- I don't want any trouble.

- Give me 2 dozen eggs and 4 kilos of potatoes, please.

(Pan clanging)

(Indistinct chatter)

- From what I read,

the Germans are losing some grounds.

Of course, they won't say it blankly in the paper,

but if you read between the lines...

"The Polish resistance is gaining ground,

"making it more challenging for Hitler's army.

"They are accustomed

"to the Russian's strong offensive style.

They shall soon discover AK's strategic... manoeuvres."

- So there is hope!

- The Soviet army may be strong for now,

but our troops will continue to fight.

Right, my dear? - Yeah.

There are rumours that the Polish Partisans

are multiplying in the area.

- Would you care for an hors d'oeuvre, Herr Hauptmann?

- I'm surprised the old man still keeps up the pretence

of having her serve.

- She serves in the bedroom, why not here?

- Well I think it's disgusting,

the way he chases after his Polish pig.

- Oh, shut up.

You're just jealous because she's better looking than you.

(Laughing)

(Indistinct chatter)

- They gobbled up the hors d'oeuvres already?

(Sighing)

- Yes, Herr Schulz...

they are so good!

Would you mind if I took some to my quarters...

just for a snack in case I get hungry later on?

- Just for a snack?

Yeah.

Sure.

Here.

you never can tell how hungry you can become

in the middle of the night.

And I've brought some extra blankets as well.

I wouldn't want you or the Major to be too cold.

No, no!

Don't tell me.

I don't want to know anything.

- Herr Schulz, I...

I hope that one day,

I will be able to meet your wife and daughter and...

tell them what a truly fine person you are.

- One day, yeah, maybe...

(Inhaling deeply)

... one day.

(♪ Singing in German ♪)

♪ O Tannenbaum O Tannenbaum ♪

♪ Wie treu sind deine Blätter ♪

♪ O Tannenbaum O Tannenbaum ♪

♪ Wie treu sind deine Blätter ♪

♪ Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit ♪

♪ Nein auch im Winter wenn es schneit ♪

♪ O Tannenbaum O Tannenbaum ♪

♪ Wie treu sind deine Blätter ♪

(♪ Singing prayer in Hebrew ♪)

♪ Asher kidishanu ba mitzvah tov ♪

♪ Vitzivanu ♪

♪ Le hadlick ner ♪

♪ Shel Hanukah ♪

♪ Baruch atoh adonai ♪

♪ Eleinu melech ha olam ♪

♪ She asah nisim la voseinu ♪

♪ Bayamim ha hem ♪

♪ Bazman hazeh ♪

- I should go before I am missed.

- Irena?

Merry Christmas.

(Laughing)

(♪ Jazz on radio ♪)

♪ ♪ ♪

- (Ida): Hanukah's desserts are the best.

(♪ Abram humming ♪)

- (Joseph): This is delicious.

(Chuckling)

(Indistinct chatter)

(♪ Abram humming ♪)

(♪ Singing in Hebrew ♪)

♪ Shalom aleichem ♪

♪ Mal'achei hasharet ♪

♪ Mal'achei elyon ♪

♪ Mimelech mal'achei ham'lachim ♪

♪ Hakadosh baruch Hu ♪

♪ Bo'achem leshalom ♪

♪ Mal'achei hashalom ♪

♪ Mal'achei elyon ♪

♪ Mimelech mal'achei ham'lachim ♪

♪ Hakadosh baruch Hu ♪

- (Alex): Hmm...

(Sighing)

- Someone... (Sniffling)

someone has complained to headquarters in Berlin.

(Sighing)

This probably all started

with that vicious blackmailer rumour.

You repeat a lie often enough, you know...

In any case, in Berlin,

they say that I have become enamoured of a Polish girl.

And because...

(Sniffling)

because of that,

my leadership has... deteriorated.

Why me, huh?

Why me?

I had a distinguished career.

And now...

now it's gone!

It's you.

It's your fault!

Your fault.

(Sniffling)

Irena, it's...

it's all falling apart.

All of it.

It's amazing,

amazing how fast it crumbles.

It was supposed to last a thousand years.

(Sobbing)

It won't even last until Easter.

(Inhaling deeply)

I have to leave soon to set up new headquarters

for the final defence of the Fatherland.

When I go, you must take your Jews into the forest.

- Yes.

Yes, I know.

(Sniffling, sighing)

- And then you will come and join me, yes?

- Yes, of course.

- Yes, of course.

(Sighing)

Shall I tell you something funny?

I thank God for your Jews.

Mm-hmm!

I thank God for them every day.

Because without them...

without them,

I would never have known this time with you.

Is the baby born?

- Not yet.

- So, I will see you in a few days, yes?

- Yes, in a few days.

(Footsteps retreating, door opening)

(Door closing)

(Footsteps retreating)

(Door closing, engine starting)

(Sighing)

- (Mariam): Mm-mmm!

- (Irena): Hmm?

Hmm? - Mm-mmm!

(Chuckling)

- No.

What do you think?

- Mmm...

A little shorter on the sleeves and it's perfect.

(Chuckling)

- You're a real tailor after all.

(Chuckling)

Congratulations, Henry!

OK. And now...

for you...

(Crickets chirping)

(Doors closing)

- One more trip and we're done.

(Ida coughing, engine starting)

(Ida coughing, moaning)

- That checkpoint wasn't there before.

- Well, it's there now.

(Coughing)

(Ida coughing)

- Can't you do something?

- (Lazar): We're trying. I don't know what else to do.

(Breathing heavily)

(Coughing)

- The ba--the baby is push--pushing into my stomach.

(Coughing)

- Laugh, laugh hysterically. But laugh!

- Do what he said, laugh!

(Laughing)

(Laughing)

- Hey, soldier, for you and your friend.

Enjoy the evening! And pick up your rifle!

- (Soldier): Yes! - Go!

(Irena laughing)

(Speaking German)

(Vehicle approaching)

- Henry! - Helen!

(Laughing)

- You are Irena? - Yes

Irena Gut.

(Whispering) Zosia, Clara, Tomas, Marian, Joseph,

Abram... Alex.

- We have to move.

We won't be safe here for long.

- I just wanted to make sure they're all here.

- We're all here, Irena.

- OK.

- I hope to see you soon. - Me too.

- Thank you! - Ida!

Lazar, take care of your family.

- I will.

- (Whispering): We're safe now. To life!

(Chuckling)

- L'chaim! - L'chaim!

(Chuckling)

- Thank you. - Zosia...

- We won't forget you, Irena.

- Hey. - Thank you!

OK.

- Thank you.

(Sobbing)

(Giggling)

- Irena. - Clara, my friend.

Oh, thank God! - Good, you are talking to God.

(Laughing)

- If there's anything I can do to help you,

let me know.

- Yes, we will be calling on you very soon.

Stay safe.

(Speaking foreign language)

(Sobbing)

♪ ♪ ♪

(Men speaking foreign language)

(Whispering, indistinct)

(Speaking foreign language)

(Man shouting in foreign language)

(Chickens clucking, birds calling)

(Footsteps approaching)

- (Henry): One day, you made a vow before us.

Today, we give you back the same.

Here's your passport.

- Thank you.

"Sofie Soferstein."

- You are now a Jewish woman.

- You will be repatriated out of Poland to a refugee camp,

where you will be free.

♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪

- This is my baby!

♪ ♪ ♪

Closed Captions: MELS