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8

BHBarryMar 31, 2017

“The Zookeeper’s Wife” is a film based on Diana Ackerman’s nonfiction book which recites the story of Jan and Antonina Zabinski, Polish owners and operators of the Warsaw Zoo, and their efforts to save victims of the Holocaust during the Nazi“The Zookeeper’s Wife” is a film based on Diana Ackerman’s nonfiction book which recites the story of Jan and Antonina Zabinski, Polish owners and operators of the Warsaw Zoo, and their efforts to save victims of the Holocaust during the Nazi occupation of their country. Directed by Niki Caro (“Whalerider”) with a screenplay written by Angela Workman, the film stars Jessica Chastain whose performance alone is worth the price of admission. Although some have unfairly characterized the movie as “Disney does the Holocaust”, the film nevertheless communicates the trauma and severity of this difficult time in Polish history and how some brave individuals risked everything to protect the lives of their countrymen, regardless of religious or cultural differences. I give the film ab 8 as it so clearly demonstrates that many of the animals that invaded the country were outside of the zoo.… Expand

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9

foxgroveApr 28, 2017

Jessica Chastain's excellent performance is just one of the many delights on offer in this moving drama. At first glance one is unprepared for the pedigree of the film. The production values are outstanding and the story is not just anotherJessica Chastain's excellent performance is just one of the many delights on offer in this moving drama. At first glance one is unprepared for the pedigree of the film. The production values are outstanding and the story is not just another holocaust telling. The animals, which I imagine are a mixture of real and CGI, go through so much that It might be necessary for the producers to provide proof that indeed no animal was, in fact, harmed. A lovely and rewarding old fashioned entertainment.… Expand

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8

TVJerryApr 1, 2017

If you're an animal lover the first 30 minutes of this film will touch you deeply. The story starts in 1939 Poland, where the titular character (Jessica Chastain) and her husband (Johan Heldenbergh) lovingly care for the inhabitants of theIf you're an animal lover the first 30 minutes of this film will touch you deeply. The story starts in 1939 Poland, where the titular character (Jessica Chastain) and her husband (Johan Heldenbergh) lovingly care for the inhabitants of the Warsaw Zoo. When the Nazi's invade, their secret mission to shelter Jews takes the story in a dark direction. All of the actors are strong and director Niki Caro has created a mostly-compelling experience. The inhumane treatment by the Germans cast the appropriate despair and the brave actions by the zookeepers are intrepid. Even though the subject matter has been covered many times, this film still manages to tell this true tale in with potent results.… Expand

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9

RelaxedmikeJul 5, 2017

This is a well done movie void of many of the, Hollywood added drama scenes which tend to give many true movies an unrealistic look into what actually occured in real life. Which is why I give this movie a solid 9 rating.

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8

RalfbergsSep 29, 2017

Interesting movie that shows the real events in Poland around World War 2 and how a family that owned a zoo also helped to save many jewish people. Definitely worth a watch

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8

kathytreeceApr 9, 2017

The subject matter of the film was sad, both for the animals and humans in Warsaw. The sadness made me feel anxious throughout the film. Watched this at the landmark Edina.

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8

IamTrinaApr 25, 2017

beautiful in some ways and sad/horrific in others. The movie added to my knowledge about the period and setting. I thought the actors did a good job, were believable, and contributed to the suspense. There were a couple abrupt editing cuts,beautiful in some ways and sad/horrific in others. The movie added to my knowledge about the period and setting. I thought the actors did a good job, were believable, and contributed to the suspense. There were a couple abrupt editing cuts, when I looked at my friend and said "what?" but overall a movie we liked.… Expand

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9

qJul 19, 2017

"The Zookeeper's Wife" tells a compelling story of compassion, bravery, determination to survive, and triumph of the human spirit manifested during one of the darkest periods in human history. The acting is compelling, and the movie depicts"The Zookeeper's Wife" tells a compelling story of compassion, bravery, determination to survive, and triumph of the human spirit manifested during one of the darkest periods in human history. The acting is compelling, and the movie depicts effectively the moral depravity and brutality of the Nazis. The critics, who were so enamored of the incoherent and mind numbing "La La Land," apparently did not find this movie sufficiently gritty and dramatic. "The Zookeeper's Wife" was more than sufficiently evocative of the horrors of that period to hold my interest from its beginning to its end. One of the finest movies I have seen recently.… Expand

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8

debrah623Mar 31, 2017

Sad to see many critics call it too light and lacking tension. The movie did a realistic job of portraying a real life account without over the top dramatics. It was absolutely well done and the actors were on point.

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5

GreatMartinMar 31, 2017

You have seen "The Zookeeper's Wife" before and you will see it again and, unless you have no heart or feelings for other human beings, you will react to this film as to others of the same genre in the past and future.

We are in Warsaw,You have seen "The Zookeeper's Wife" before and you will see it again and, unless you have no heart or feelings for other human beings, you will react to this film as to others of the same genre in the past and future.

We are in Warsaw, Poland, on the eve of the invasion on the Nazis, their eventual takeover and starting on the road of exterminating the Jewish population. Yes, there is the child in hiding who makes a noise when a Nazi officer is near, the Jew, passing as a Christian with the blond hair dyed, going through a German security guard, the loading of trains to go off to the camps, ask falling on the city as if it was snow, the evil, not to be trusted German officer and every other cliche a movie like this has but remember a cliche has the basis of truth in it.

Where this movie differs is that the couple, who comes up with a plan to save Jews, are the owners of a popular zoo in Warsaw so we see all kinds of scenes with cute tiger cubs, monkeys, camels prancing around the grounds, rabbits, zebras, parrots, bisons, elephants, etc.

Jessica Chastain, as Antonina, and Johan Heldenbergh, as Jan, are the husband that are both equally involved not only the zoo but with what happens. The picture revolves more around the former than the latter for change. Chastain is impressive but many times her accent swallows up her speech but she never fails to be touching when working with the animals especially one harrowing scene near the beginning. Their son is played first by Timothy Radford the first 3 years and then by Val Maloku 1943-1945.

There is a standout performance by Shira Haas as a Jewish teenager who, unfortunately, the screenplay sort of forgets. There is Daniel Bruhl as a Nazi zoologist who promises the couple he will take care of the displaced animals and return them after everything is over though in reality he wants to use them for selective breeding just as doctors did with their Jewish prisoners.

There are a few other characters but none have the chance to show what they can do except Chastain, Heldenbergh, Haas and, of course, the animals and that is the major problem with this movie.

You will react reflexively to many of the scenes but the director Niki Caro and the screenwriter Angela Workman offer too much of a glossy picture of a harrowing time in history. Everything looks pretty including the scenes that make you pull back at what horror human beings can inflict on each other and, yes, animals. More time is given to getting to know the animals than the humans. Somehow the danger all these people lived under is dissipated.

Movies about the Holocaust should be continued to be made and seen but they need to offer more than a 'formula' showing. At the end credits, when you learn that the husband and wife saved more than 300 people and what happened to the couple during and after the war you'll wonder why you didn't feel all this while watching the film.

I recommend "The Zookeeper's Wife" as a film to see what people do to help others in time of need and to not forget the Holocaust or what hate can do to people.… Expand

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5

SpangleOct 16, 2017

The latest film to depict the heroics and horrors that occurred in the Holocaust, The Zookeeper's Wife is ultimately a mixed bag, but is nonetheless able to capitalize on the inherent power of its story through strong performances and honestThe latest film to depict the heroics and horrors that occurred in the Holocaust, The Zookeeper's Wife is ultimately a mixed bag, but is nonetheless able to capitalize on the inherent power of its story through strong performances and honest emotion. Telling the story of the efforts of the zookeepers at the Warsaw Zoo to hide Jews during the Holocaust, The Zookeeper's Wife is a film that is as tragic as it is inspirational, depicting the actions that led to the couple saving over 300 people. As a moving tale of human sacrifice and survival amidst the horrors of the Holocaust, The Zookeeper's Wife works. However, too often, the film discards important stories or characters in favor of focusing on subplots that carry no weight compared to the horrors they are set against. As a result, it is a film with noble intentions that has a mixed ability to actually accomplish everything it wishes it could.

Through its two-hour story of heroism in the face of great oppression, the film shows many Jewish survivors come through the home of Antonina (Jessica Chastian) and Jan Zabinski (Johan Heldenbergh). Through their time rescuing Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, they rescue friends and strangers alike. Many times, the people they rescued would stay indefinitely. Other times, they would be there for just one night before being sent to a new location by the resistance. In the course of rescuing Jews and showing the great lengths gone to by the community and the Zabinski's to save these innocent people, the film never actually develops many characters. The closest is Urszula (Shira Haas), a young Jewish girl violently raped by two Nazi soldiers, who becomes like a daughter to Antonina. Her tale is tragic and drives home the barbaric actions of the Nazis, but she is the only one who actually gets developed, beyond a pair of people the Zabinski's were friends with prior to the occupation. Even then, the friends take a backseat to this one girl. Of the other 300 people hidden in the zoo, we see nothing but their faces, never hear their voices, and they become background characters. Without any depth truly provided to those that they rescue, The Zookeeper's Wife rides on the natural emotion of seeing somebody rescued from the Holocaust. This is easy to do, but shows no ambition on the part of the film. It merely sits back and lets the real events do the talking, without providing a voice to those senselessly slaughtered because of hatred.

The film's lack of character development is also matched by a rushed feeling that makes the film feel like a two-hour film that crammed way too much into its runtime. This is exemplified when Antonina is shown as not pregnant in one scene, very pregnant in the next, experiencing labor pains, and then giving birth, all in the span of two minutes. Her pregnancy is not mentioned, beyond her having sex with her husband and then, once she gives birth, the baby is included in two scenes. It is clear that Niki Caro recognized that the birth was not really that pertinent, but since it happened, she had to find a way to work it into the film. However, in the way it is included, it hardly works and only serves to exemplify the way in which the film rushed through too much. Further examples include the process of the Zabinski's procuring Jews from the ghetto or simply the passage of time. As a film that tries to cram seven years into its runtime, The Zookeeper's Wife always feels abbreviated with Caro trying to cover everything she can in telling this story, rather than allowing any particular moment to really breathe.

Much of this cramming and over-reaching is caused by the film's extensive focus on Antonina and her relationship with Nazi zoologist Lutz Heck (Daniel Bruhl). A cruel man who brags about killing animals in his zoo, obsessed with guns, Lutz winds up working for Hitler. Installing a breeding program in Antonina's zoo in an attempt to bring back the extinct aurochs, Lutz begins to come onto Antonina and repeatedly tries to touch her before attempting to rape her later in the film. He is a contemptible person, but feels extra to the plot. This is not a film that needed a villain. It was already one about the Holocaust. The villain should be rather self-explanatory. Yet, here is, hogging screentime to only hit on Antonina and then leave until Caro feels like the film needs him again. Distracting from the real story and consuming screen time, the film seems to suffer under the weight of keeping this character around, while never making him anything but useless.… Expand

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8

LeZeeNov 4, 2017

The zoo, the zookeepers and the WWII!

There goes another film by a woman director. Recently I've seen many, that the stories told by women. It was a well made film, based on the real, about the WWII. Actually, it all begins prior like in theThe zoo, the zookeepers and the WWII!

There goes another film by a woman director. Recently I've seen many, that the stories told by women. It was a well made film, based on the real, about the WWII. Actually, it all begins prior like in the 1939. The happy couple who was running one of the most notable zoo in all of Europe, in the Poland capital, suddenly started to lose the animals for nazi air raids. The remains were taken away when the city, the nation was invaded. Soon the empty enclosure becomes hideout for the Jeweish. But it is not an easy task, the consequences are serious. How the rest of the story folds out was a little emotional.

The best performance by Jessica Chastain continues. She's choosing the nice films and roles. I had expected a big name pairing up with her, but the Belgian actor was good in a small part. Like any WWII film, a heart-wrenching story. Everything was told from the zookeeper's perspective, particularly the wife.

The story also takes us outside the enclosure, with a series of glimpses of horror visuals that we had seen in other films. So it limits to what these people did, that's to shelter the Jewish community. Another WWII film from another perspective that one should see it. I've heard that some are saying it was not honest. All the true stories are not exact depictions of truth, but somewhat close, lets us know the facts. Just watch it!

8/10… Expand

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6

Brent_MarchantApr 8, 2017

An inspiring tale of a courageous couple defying the odds to save persecuted Polish Jews during the height of World War II, a film reminiscent of "Schindler's List" but in a uniquely different setting. However, despite an excellent leadAn inspiring tale of a courageous couple defying the odds to save persecuted Polish Jews during the height of World War II, a film reminiscent of "Schindler's List" but in a uniquely different setting. However, despite an excellent lead performance by Jessica Chastain and the picture's heroic narrative, this offering feels a bit "sanitized" in light of its subject matter. While this is somewhat understandable to appeal to a wider, more commercial audience, it also rings a bit hollow, with much of the action looking as though it's taking place on a movie set and not in real-world conditions. Although by no means a bad film, a bit of a grittier edge would have made this offering feel more authentic and given it the credibility it needs to be taken more seriously.… Expand

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9

JPManningApr 9, 2017

Based on true story. Well acted. Moves a bit slow and Polish accents (filmed in English) are difficult at times to follow. Still, a very moving story beautifully portrayed.

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8

jlpicard84Mar 17, 2019

If you know history, the plot can be very predictable. But acting is really good and the story is worth telling.

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5

aurora1May 5, 2018

The Zookeeper's Wife avrebbe potuto essere un nuovo, interessante approccio al dramma della Shoa, narrata stavolta dall'ottica di una coppia polacca che riuscì a salvare 300 ebrei nascondendoli in uno zoo da essa gestito nella cittá diThe Zookeeper's Wife avrebbe potuto essere un nuovo, interessante approccio al dramma della Shoa, narrata stavolta dall'ottica di una coppia polacca che riuscì a salvare 300 ebrei nascondendoli in uno zoo da essa gestito nella cittá di Varsavia. Purtroppo, quello che mi sembra mancare nel film diretto da Niki Caro è un certo grado di intensitá nel descrivere i personaggi e le dinamiche che li legano: mi sarebbe piaciuto che la passione, l'attrazione, la repulsione, l'amore, la paura, lo sdegno fossero realmente trasmessi, e non solo indicati. Jessica Chastain è una presenza elegantissima sullo schermo, eppure non riesce a restituire fino in fondo l'animo della signora Żabiński: la sappiamo divisa tra l'amore per il marito e le attenzioni dell'ufficiale nazista che la corteggia (almeno questa è la teoria del film), ma non lo sentiamo davvero. Curiosamente, sono le scene dell'olocausto degli animali a colpire e a rimanere impresse con più forza: l'aquila che cade abbattuta dalle pistole naziste trasmette tutto l'orrore di una morte assurda e atroce, specchio del simile destino abbattutosi sugli esseri umani vittime delle SS. Così come colpiscono le scene in cui la Chastain interagisce con dei cuccioli: quando salva dal soffocamento un piccolo di elefante appena nato, dal quale si precipita lasciando le ipocrisie di una festa borghese e catapultandosi in questo modo nel suo elemento più vero, o quando nutre un baby bisonte porgendogli del cibo con le proprie labbra. Eppure, anche in tutta questa dolcezza c'è una nota stonata: la donna accarezza gli animali più di quanto non accarezzi i bambini che ha salvato, nonostante abbia rischiato la vita per nasconderli; e anche quando scopre che il figlio non è stato ucciso dall'ufficiale tedesco, il suo sollievo appena accennato non è minimamente all'altezza del sentimento reale che una madre proverebbe. Forse questo immane sforzo a trattenersi è stato richiesto dalla regista e non è quindi colpa dell'attrice; ma non ne vediamo davvero la ragione e, invece che dare forza al film, lo indebolisce. Come non rende un buon servizio alla pellicola l'affettatissimo accento polacco richiesto alla Chastain, che si risolve in un estenuante esercizio di stile che distrae ed annoia, invece che coinvolgere: è giusto il caso di ricordare che le persone, quando parlano la propria lingua madre, non parlano con un accento straniero. L'inglese con un accento esotico dovrebbe essere usato soltanto per sottolineare la non appartenenza di una persona ad un certo luogo; avrebbe senso l'accento polacco se a parlare fosse un americano che si trovasse in Polonia, mentre la Zabinski e il marito erano polacchi nella loro patria. A volte, per essere troppo fedeli ad una storia e raccontarla con il maggior numero possibile di dettagli, si rischia di perdere la visione d'insieme e di fallire il senso ultimo del linguaggio, che è la comunicazione, la quale beneficerebbe più della semplicitá che non delle spericolatezze della recitazione sovrastrutturata.… Expand

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7

KaptenVideoApr 16, 2017

The husband-and-wife team of the Warsaw Zoo keepers (Jessica Chastain and Johan Heldenbergh) help save hundreds of people and animals during Nazi Germany invasion and Second World War. Also starring Daniel Brühl, Shira Haas, MichaelThe husband-and-wife team of the Warsaw Zoo keepers (Jessica Chastain and Johan Heldenbergh) help save hundreds of people and animals during Nazi Germany invasion and Second World War. Also starring Daniel Brühl, Shira Haas, Michael McElhatton, Iddo Goldberg.
Based on Diane Ackerman's non-fiction book which was greatly inspired by the unpublished diary of the Zabinskis, this poignant tale of survival has gotten an suitably old-school screen treatment. Beautiful colors and horrible deeds only men are capable of.
Some will be turned off by the sugary, even borderline tacky approach. The others will like the overall melodramatic feel, reminiscent of golden times of Hollywood, and how deftly the story can manipulate with our heartstrings.
There’s gonna be a lot of misty eyes and runny noses in front of the screen, I can assure from my own experience. Some will not probably even want to continue after the first 20 minutes, because the first act will totally break some hearts.
If you are the kind of person who doesn’t like animals or care about violence against them, then you will probably feel a bit bored and may also want to quit early. It’s really more of a great war movie for animal lovers (a sparsely populated subgenre) than a great war movie in general.
But it’s got enough suspense and heart to compensate for rather middle-of-the-road script which takes a lot less risks than its main characters.
If you liked „Allied“, starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard, then you can predict the overall experience offered by „The Zookeeper’s Wife“. Except there’s less action and much more tears among the public.
Seriously, if you’re a tender soul, this movie will shock you.… Expand

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8

Patryk02099xApr 2, 2017

"The Zookeper's Wife" probably doesn't show this story how it exactly deserves but in fact it is quite a good movie. With strong performances from Jessica Chastain and Daniel Bruhl it can move you and sometimes even makes you cry. It's a"The Zookeper's Wife" probably doesn't show this story how it exactly deserves but in fact it is quite a good movie. With strong performances from Jessica Chastain and Daniel Bruhl it can move you and sometimes even makes you cry. It's a pitty that all movie is not as good as its last 30 minutes which build tension with no mistakes.… Expand

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2

meydianarizki21Oct 18, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. .Poorly Handled
'The Zookeepers Wife' poorly handles a beautiful and inspiring true story. Based upon real life events that took place in Warsaw, Poland during World War II, this film fails to reach it's intended impact on the audience. The atmosphere of the film is misplaced and has an overall tone that doesn't belong. What should have been a tense film showcasing the impact the war had on zookeeper couple Jan and Antonina Zabinska, and how they responded to the atrocity, ends up feeling quote misplaced with an approach that waters-down the struggle the couple would have gone through. The film spends too much time on certain side plots that are not of importance to the narrative, and only divert the audience from the real story that we came for. Despite the poorly adapted narrative and misguided tone, the film fortunately contains several positive elements. In particular, Jessica Chastain's acting is nothing short of superb and is supported by great performances by Daniel Brühl and Shira Haas. The real-life animals used in the film offer a unique viewpoint of the war, and aid the film to be a visual delight. While it may be flawed in many places, 'The Zookeepers Wife' ultimately tells a unique and beautiful story of World War II that is led by a beautiful performance by Jessica Chastain.… Expand

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