![]() ![]() The Zabinkis travel to Berlin and tell Herr Heck they want to save their zoo because they have spent many years building it. Now it is Antonina's turn to object but when Jan tells her the Jews are trapped and starving she says "A human zoo." The two come up with a plan. ![]() Jan informs Antonina that there are people who want to help by hiding Jews in the zoo until safe houses can be found for them. Their friend Maurycy is practicing law from a storefront in the ghetto and that it is impossible to get into the ghetto without a pass. ![]() They learn that the Jewish people are suffering terribly, that there is little food and no wood. Magda is taken in and Antonina and Jan tell her she must stay quiet until cook leaves for the day but that at night she can come out and walk around. "So we just close our eyes and let her go? Our dearest friend in all the world." However, Antonina believes they must help. Jan is initially against this because they know the penalty will be death. Later that night Antonina suggests that perhaps they can save one life and hide Magda in their home. They agree to do this and place it in their basement. Szymon knows there is nothing the Jews can do and so he requests that the Zabinski's keep his insect collection which represents his life's work. Magda tells them that Maurycy Fraenkel a gentle man has been incarcerated in the ghetto. Several of their Jewish friends Szymon Tenebaum and Magda Gross meet with the Zabinskis. There is little food and fuel for the coming winter. In October of 1940, the Germans begin rounding up the Jewish citizens of Warsaw and placed into an areas of the city called the Warsaw ghetto. ![]() Antonina agrees but Jan who was not present at the time of the discussion is furious. He makes Antonina an offer to take the prize animals to Germany and return them after the war. Herr Heck arrives with the information that the zoo is to be liquidated for use as meat, firewood and soap. The Germans arrive in Warsaw after Poland capitulates with Rommel warning the Polish to accept the Germans peacefully. Many of the escaped animals are brought back to the zoo by the people of Warsaw. Some of the animals were shot by the Polish soldiers, others including lions, tigers and camels run free. Their beloved zoo has been bombed and many of the animals killed. There they learn there are no trains running but meet up with Jan who takes the back to the zoo. Jan is in so Antonina grabs Rys and after quickly packing a suitcase they head for the train station. On September 1, 1939, Warsaw along with the rest of Poland is bombed. Jan wants Antonina and their son Rys to go to Zaliesie, but Antonina refuses because she believes people should not simply run away from what they fear. The next day the Zabinski's discuss leaving Warsaw after they see how the Jews in the city are being treated. She is applauded for her successful efforts. Lutz Heck, director of the Berlin Zoo is in attendance and while he ridicules Jan he seems more But their view of Antonina changes when Jerzyk, the zookeeper requests her help for Kasia, an elephant in distress. That night at a dinner party at the zoo, with many Germans in attendance people make fun of Antonina for her care of the animals. On her bike, Antonina rides through the zoo greeting the different animals, giving viewers a quick tour of the zoo and the many animals the elephants, zebras, monkeys, lions, cheetahs and giraffes. The movie opens in Warsaw, Poland, in the summer of 1939 with Antonina opening the zoo in the morning, welcoming people. ![]()
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