The Zookeeper's Wife
Focus Features | Release Date: March 31, 2017
7.0
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 83 Ratings
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Mixed:
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User Reviews

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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
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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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
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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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
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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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.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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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
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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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.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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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
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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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
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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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.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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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
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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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.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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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.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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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
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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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
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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