The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (TV 2009)

The story of Irena Sendler, a social worker who was part of the Polish underground during World War II and was arrested by the Nazis for saving the lives of nearly 2,500 Jewish children by smuggling them out of the Warsaw ghetto.

Director:

John Kent Harrison

Writers:

John Kent Harrison, Larry Spagnola,

Stars:

Anna Paquin, Marcia Gay Harden, Goran Visnjic

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anna Paquin	...	Irena Sendler[owa]
Marcia Gay Harden	...	Janina Krzyzanowska
Goran Visnjic	...	Stefan Zgrzembski
Nathaniel Parker	...	Dr. Majkowski
Steve Speirs	...	Piotr
Paul Freeman	...	Monsignor Godlewski
Michelle Dockery	...	Ewa Rozenfeld
Danuta Stenka	...	Hanna Rozenfeld
Iddo Goldberg	...	Jakub Rozenfeld
Maja Ostaszewska	...	Jadwiga
Krzysztof Pieczynski	...	Dr. Janusz Korczak
Rebecca Windheim	...	Karolina Rozenfeld
Olga Boladz	...	Zofia
Leigh Lawson	...	Rabbi Rozenfeld
Scott Handy	...	Michal Laski

Storyline

The story of Irena Sendler, a social worker who was part of the Polish underground during World War II and was arrested by the Nazis for saving the lives of nearly 2,500 Jewish children by smuggling them out of the Warsaw ghetto.

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Plot Keywords:

warsaw ghetto | warsaw poland | 1940s | rescue | world war two | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

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Details

Official Sites:

CBS

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian German Latvian

Release Date:

19 April 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (#58.3)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Baltmedia, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film's opening prologue states: "World War II rages through Europe. In occupied Poland, the Germans have established the Warsaw Ghetto for all the Jewish residents of the city. Over 440,000 Jews are forced inside its walls . . . There are some Poles who want to help . . . "

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Quotes

Irena Sendler [owa]: One child is not enough!

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Connections

Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

User Reviews

In the greatest darkness, the brightest lights shine.

Hallmark's sentimental touch has never been more appropriate than for this story of a Polish nurse that saved the life of 2500 Jewish children during WWII. Anna Paquin (BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE) is quickly becoming the Queen of TV movies. Her performance here is amazing. Marcia Gay Harden, who plays her equally brave mother, also gives a fine performance. The editing is quite sharp. The violent scenes, like the Gestapo's torture scenes, are jarring to say the least. I was expecting a female version of SCHINDLER'S LIST but after the film was over I could not help but compare this story to THE HIDING PLACE. Irena Sendler is a worthy heroine in the same league as Corrie Ten Boom. Some viewers might think "Enough already" with these kind of stories but when they are as good as this I will respond "Keep them coming!"