The Unlikely Heroes of Warsaw's Zoological Gardens

In a tale that reads like something straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster, two brave souls defied the odds during World War II to save hundreds of lives - both human and animal alike.

Jan Zabinski (played by Art Malik) was no ordinary zookeeper. He took pride in his position at Warsaw's Zoological Gardens not just for caring for the menagerie under his charge but also because it allowed him a degree of freedom during Nazi occupation. His wife, Antonina (played by Emily Watson), shared this spirit of resilience and resourcefulness.

As the Nazis closed in on Warsaw in 1940, Jan came up with an audacious plan to save as many Jews - mostly young women and children - from certain death at Auschwitz concentration camp. Disguising them as zoo workers or their families, he smuggled over 500 people through a hidden passageway into the safety of the zoos' underground tunnels.

But this was only half the story. Antonina too played her part, using her knowledge of animal behavior to keep both humans and animals calm during these perilous times. She even managed to save several dozen more Jews by convincing Jan that they were actually Polish families whose husbands had gone off fighting at the front!

The Zookeepers Wife tells this incredible true story with sensitivity and respect for those who risked everything in order to help others survive one of history's darkest hours.

A powerful tribute to courage in adversity, The Zookeeper's Wife is an unforgettable testament to love triumphing over hate.

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