The Zookeeper's Wife

The Zookeeper's Wife is a historical drama set in Poland around the Second World War. Jan and Antonina Żabiński run the Warsaw Zoo, a thriving institution that Jan directs and where the couple also keep animals at their home. When Germany invades Poland in September 1939, the zoo is bombed and much of its wildlife is lost scattered or taken away. As the occupation tightens and the city's Jewish population is confined and then deported, the Żabińskis use the remaining buildings and their villa to shelter Jews, hiding them on the grounds while keeping up appearances under German surveillance. Their situation is complicated by Lutz Heck, a former family acquaintance who now holds a position of authority among the occupying forces and takes a personal interest in Antonina. The film is based on the true story of the couple's wartime rescue efforts.

Niki Caro directed, working from a screenplay by Angela Workman. It sits between McFarland, USA and Mulan in a directing filmography that also includes Whale Rider and North Country. Jessica Chastain plays Antonina, Johan Heldenbergh plays Jan, and Daniel Brühl plays Heck, with supporting turns from Michael McElhatton, Efrat Dor and Timothy Radford among a credited cast of 43. Produced across the United Kingdom, the United States and the Czech Republic, the film cost about 20 million USD and took roughly 26 million USD worldwide, a modest return. On IMDb it holds 7/10 from 49,000 votes, and on TMDB 7.3/10 from 1,591 votes, against a critics' rating of 6.2/10 from 180 reviews.