The Boy in the Woods (2023)
Genre: Drama, War, History
Director: Rebecca Snow
Stars: Richard Armitage, Jett Klyne, Tara Nicodemo, Christopher Heyerdahl, Ari Millen
Plot: The remarkable true-life survival story of a Jewish boy hiding and being hunted in the forests of Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe, based on Maxwell Smart’s memoir.
* * *
♪
♪
(crow squawking)
(crow squawking)
(dog barking)
(crow squawking)
♪
♪
(dog barking)
(dog barking)
(crow squawking)
(crow squawking)
(vehicle passing)
(man shouting in distance)
(man shouting in distance)
(dog barking)
(people whispering)
(dog barking)
(people whispering)
(coughing)
(coughing)
(people whispering)
(people whispering)
(people whispering)
(people whispering)
(woman humming)
Mamme.
(people talking)
(people talking)
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
Mayn kleyne mentshele.
My little man.
What would we do without you?
It’s because of me that we’re here.
(people whispering, coughing)
(people whispering, coughing)
I should have built us a better hiding place.
No, Max.
My drawings, I left them all.
You’ll have to make more.
You’ll have to make more.
(sighing)
Magic circle.
(giggling)
Take these.
It is all I had time to gather.
It is all I had time to gather.
Keep them safe.
Why can’t you?
You’ll need them one day.
One day when I’m an artist,
One day when I’m an artist,
and I can cross the sea
to hang my paintings in fancy galleries?
To hang my paintings in fancy galleries?
Mm. You’ll be very famous.
And rich.
I’ll buy you furs, and Zonia ribbons!
I’ll buy you furs, and Zonia ribbons!
(footsteps, door opening)
(shouting in German)
(shouting in German)
Child: Mommy!
Max: Zonia. Zonia.
Stand up!
Stand up!
(old man whimpering)
Get in line!
(man speaking German over loudspeaker)
(man speaking German over loudspeaker)
(baby crying)
(woman crying)
Man: Get up. Come on. Get up!
(barking)
(barking)
(man screaming)
Get going! Get going!
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
(gunshot)
(grunting)
(grunting)
Mamme!
(gun firing)
(gun firing)
Mamme!
Max! Max! Max, Max!
Max! Max! Max, Max!
Mamme! Mamme!
Zonia. Come.
Woman: My daughter, don’t hurt her!
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
(woman screaming)
(man shouting)
(man shouting)
(dogs barking)
Man: No, no, no, no.
Man: No, no, no, no.
Mommy!
You have to get away from here.
What? No, no, no. I’m coming with you.
What? No, no, no. I’m coming with you.
No.
Why no?
You’re taking Zonia and not me?
Your sister is too young. She is helpless.
Your sister is too young. She is helpless.
But you, you run fast, you’re smart and brave, my brilliant boy.
And brave, my brilliant boy.
You’ll find a way, you must.
How? By myself?
You will find your Aunt Erna.
If they haven’t already taken her, she will know what to do.
See those gates?
I want you to walk straight through them.
Do not stop, you hear?
Strong and brave.
Strong and brave.
(speaking Yiddish)
(man grunting)
(man grunting)
Go. Go.
(barking)
(shushing)
Man: Get going! Get going!
Woman: Stop, please.
(barking)
(soldier speaking German)
(soldier speaking German)
Man: Get into the…
Man: Get into the…
(woman crying)
(man speaking German)
(shouting)
(grunting)
(shouting)
(grunting)
(shouting in German)
(engine starting)
(man speaking German)
(man speaking German)
(chains clanking lightly)
(chains clanking lightly)
♪
♪
(bell tolling)
Excuse me. Where is that truck going?
They’re taking them away.
Excuse me…
None of your business, boy.
None of your business, boy.
No.
Please! I’m looking for my Auntie Erna.
Poor Jew-boy.
Try the cemetery, maybe you’ll find your aunt there.
Try the cemetery, maybe you’ll find your aunt there.
(woman weeping)
(woman weeping)
(all weeping)
(all weeping)
♪
♪
(women weeping)
(women weeping)
♪
♪
Auntie?
Auntie?
Auntie!
Oh, Max!
Thank God!
I heard there was a roundup.
Where’s your Mamme? Zonia?
She told me to find you,
she wouldn’t let me get on the truck with her.
Let’s get you out of here.
♪
♪
Aunt Erna: They are clearing us all out.
Your uncle and I have found space to hide here in town.
A bunker, with a small group.
Good. I’ll stay with you until Mamme comes for me.
Aunt Erna: They won’t allow children.
Aunt Erna: They won’t allow children.
Why not?
I’m basically not even a child anymore.
Mamme even says I’m a little man.
Mamme even says I’m a little man.
(muted dialogue)
Aunt Erna: Your Mamme knew this day might come.
Aunt Erna: Your Mamme knew this day might come.
Max: She said you would protect me!
I found a farm where you can hide.
I found a farm where you can hide.
You’re abandoning me.
You’re abandoning me just like she did!
You’re abandoning me just like she did!
Max, your mamme did not abandon you.
Max, your mamme did not abandon you.
Max: I don’t want to be alone!
Max: I don’t want to be alone!
No. You won’t be alone.
And when this is over we’ll come get you,
And when this is over we’ll come get you,
and together we’ll find her.
Now come here.
♪
♪
Man: Hey.
Come on.
The sun is up.
(man speaking)
(horse walking)
(chickens clucking)
(pig snorting)
(pig snorting)
(clucking)
(clucking)
(door creaking)
My name is Jasko.
This is Kasia and Broni.
(baby cooing)
Here.
Thank you.
My name is…
Staszek.
We will call you Staszek.
Kasia: That is my brother’s name, Jasko.
From now on you are Staszek.
It is best we know nothing.
You can sleep in the cowshed.
You must change these clothes.
(fire crackling)
(fire crackling)
(cow mooing)
(cow mooing)
(pig snorting)
(fire crackling)
(fire crackling)
(pig snorting)
(pig snorting)
(gasping)
(gasping)
Follow me.
You can help out on the farm.
Graze the animals,
Graze the animals,
muck out the cowshed.
You have a lot to learn.
(Jasko’s voice fading)
(Jasko’s voice fading)
(people whispering)
Staszek?
(whispers fading)
My auntie told me to hide.
My auntie told me to hide.
And you will hide, in plain sight.
Listen to me carefully, because your… our lives depends on it.
Because your… our lives depends on it.
You are my sister’s boy, understand?
You are my sister’s boy, understand?
This past spring your father drove his wagon
This past spring your father drove his wagon over a Russian landmine, was killed, along with his oxen, leaving your mother and you destitute.
So, she sent you to live with us.
So, she sent you to live with us.
She volunteered for labour
She volunteered for labour in the Great German Reich, but she died of typhus before she got on the train.
But she died of typhus before she got on the train.
So, you are an orphan, and Kasia and I are the only family you have.
And Kasia and I are the only family you have.
Got it?
Keep this story clear in your mind.
Keep this story clear in your mind.
Yes, sir.
Jasko is fine.
Jasko.
Jasko.
(crickets chirping, owl hooting)
(crickets chirping, owl hooting)
♪
♪
(sighing)
♪
♪
Mamme. Can I sit with you?
No, my little man.
Why not?
(engine starting)
(engine starting)
(speaking Yiddish)
♪
(clanking)
(cow mooing)
(cow mooing)
(cow mooing)
(cow mooing)
I’ve never been in a stable before.
Eat.
Thank you.
(baby fussing)
(baby fussing)
(singing in Yiddish)
(singing in Yiddish)
(shushing)
(fussing)
That always use to work with my little sister.
My Mamme took Zonia and not me.
She didn’t let me go with her.
(pig snorting)
Little piggy! Hey!
Little piggy! Hey!
Come on, little pig!
(tsking)
(snorting)
(snorting)
We will fatten him and eat him for Christmas.
(grunting)
One more.
(grunting)
He watches me.
We live quiet lives here.
No one wants any trouble.
Am I trouble?
You’re a boy. You’re supposed to be trouble.
You’re a boy. You’re supposed to be trouble.
Your aunt, she pays us to shelter you.
We need those payments, Staszek.
Have you ever snared a rabbit?
Have you ever snared a rabbit?
Max: No.
Watch how I tie this.
Thread this end through.
Like a noose. Huh?
Now, I need a branch, like this.
Tie it around a few turns.
Tie it around a few turns.
Tie it tight.
Then we need some sticks.
Then we need some sticks.
You need to block the trail
and force the rabbit into the snare.
And force the rabbit into the snare.
Max: Does it catch it by its hind legs?
No, my friend.
By the neck.
What a horrible way to die.
♪
♪
(grunting)
(grunting)
(grunting)
♪
♪
Kasia: Hold her.
(Broni cooing)
Max: Hi. Hello.
Here.
Come on.
(Broni cooing)
Okay.
(Broni burbling)
(Broni burbling)
(chuckling) Don’t eat that.
It’s not for eating.
Can I see that?
(Broni fussing)
It’s okay.
(door opening)
(door opening)
Any news from my auntie?
(sighing)
There will be no more money for keeping the boy.
Her hiding place was discovered.
Everyone taken.
Everyone?
(crickets chirping)
(mooing)
(guns firing in distance)
(gasping)
(guns firing in distance)
(gasping)
(mooing)
(gun firing in distance)
(horse neighing)
(horse neighing)
(mooing)
Kasia: Jasko, what is that?
Kasia: Jasko, what is that?
Jasko: Hunters in the woods.
The price for a Jew just went up.
Go back inside.
Go back inside.
(scraping)
(scraping)
(Broni fussing)
You want to hear a story little man?
You want to hear a story little man?
A rooster and a hen,
let the story begin.
A cat and a mouse.
My time has run out.
My time has run out.
(knocking)
♪
♪
Jasko Rudnicki?
Yes?
Officer: We have been told you are hiding Jews.
Jasko: Jews?
Jasko: Jews?
I’m sure I do not need to tell you how this works Mister…
Rudnicki.
Yes.
If you do not tell us where they are,
If you do not tell us where they are, and we find them, we will kill the Jews and hang your entire family.
And hang your entire family.
You have a family in there, yes?
You have a family in there, yes?
You know I do.
Captain: Hm. Indeed.
(fussing)
Broni.
Captain: What will it be, Mr. Jasko Rudnicki?
Captain: What will it be, Mr. Jasko Rudnicki?
Well, then…
I am not hiding any Jews.
Ah.
Then… you would not mind inviting us in.
Then… you would not mind inviting us in.
Hm?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Petryk!
The loft.
Petryk: Yes, Captain.
(rustling hay)
There is no one here.
There is no one here.
Captain: The stable.
Petryk: Yes, Captain.
Captain: No. Stay.
(groaning)
What a day.
What a day.
(groaning)
Truly exhausting.
Truly exhausting.
And exhilarating.
And exhilarating.
(Broni fussing)
Mm. Hello.
(Broni fussing)
(Broni fussing)
Ah, what a… sweet little thing.
Sweet little thing.
Boy?
It’s a boy.
Captain: A blessing.
Captain: A blessing.
You will grow up to be a big, strong, hard-working, honest man, hm?
Hard-working, honest man, hm?
(Broni cooing)
Huh? Hey, just like your papa.
(Kasia gasping)
Two boys.
So far apart in age, and such a young mother.
And such a young mother.
This one cannot be yours.
I’m her nephew, uh…
I’m her nephew, uh…
My mother sent me here when she went to be a labourer
in the Great German Reich.
In the Great German Reich.
Ah, is that so?
Please, please. Take a chair. Sit. Sit.
Sit. Sit. Sit with me.
Sit. Sit. Sit with me.
Would you, a light, please?
Hm?
(chuckling)
(match lighting)
(match lighting)
(chuckling)
A worker in the Reich you were saying.
A worker in the Reich you were saying.
Volunteered herself, sir.
Captain: Hm.
Does she write?
You must have letters from her.
You must have letters from her.
Uh, sh…
Sh…
She… She doesn’t know how.
She… She doesn’t know how.
Hm?
I haven’t heard from her since she left.
I haven’t heard from her since she left.
I’m worried I won’t see her again.
I’m worried I won’t see her again.
♪
♪
Nonsense.
Your Mother is working in a German factory,
doing her part for the war effort.
Doing her part for the war effort.
Making you… Making you… making all of us… proud, son.
Hm.
Hm.
Just think of that.
Your mama. So proud.
Petryk: Captain! I found something in the stable.
Captain Bagan!
Captain: Come with me.
(exhaling)
No, no.
Captain Bagan: What have you found, Petryk?
Vegetables. Hidden.
This is tasty food for… (speaking indistinctly)
This is tasty food for… (speaking indistinctly)
Why were those vegetables in the cowshed?
I’m sorry.
Captain: You need to have packaged vegetables.
(crying)
Kasia: No!
(Broni fussing)
No!
(crying)
Captain: Get on your knees!
Get on your knees.
(crying)
(Broni screaming)
Kasia: No!
Kasia: No!
(Broni & Kasia crying)
(Broni & Kasia crying)
(Broni crying)
(Broni crying)
(sighing)
(sighing)
I told them that you feed it to the pigs.
Good, that is good.
Good, that is good.
You cannot stay here anymore.
♪
♪
♪
(people whispering)
♪
♪
(people whispering)
(people whispering)
♪
♪
(people whispering)
(people whispering)
♪
♪
♪
Jasko: Here.
Grab some branches. (grunting)
Cover the hole.
Cover the hole.
You should be dry in here.
(grunting)
(grunting)
Further down this slope there’s a river for water.
Lots of berries in this part of the woods.
Don’t eat the mushrooms off the ground.
Don’t eat the mushrooms off the ground.
Only those that grow on trees.
But not the yellow ones.
And when all the mushrooms and berries are gone?
And when all the mushrooms and berries are gone?
The snare that I taught you, to catch a rabbit.
There is twine in the sack,
flint for a fire,
and a knife.
Ration your food.
What about Jew-hunters?
Never make a fire too close to the shelter.
Always cover your tracks.
Always cover your tracks.
How much?
What?
How much is a Jew worth?
What am I worth?
Sometimes…
the police pay in sugar…
the police pay in sugar…
or vodka.
It’s too risky for my family, Staszek.
It’s too risky for my family, Staszek.
That is not my name.
You heard the chief, they will kill us.
You heard the chief, they will kill us.
Kasia, Broni, all of us.
♪
♪
♪
(people whispering)
♪
♪
(crying)
(crying)
(trees creaking)
(wind gusting)
(wind gusting)
(whispering)
(thunder rumbling)
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
(twig snapping)
♪
♪
♪
(exhaling)
(exhaling)
(coughing)
♪
♪
♪
(dog barking)
(man shouting)
Man: What have you found? What have you got?
Man: What have you found? What have you got?
(barking)
♪
♪
♪
(scraping)
Max: Come on. Come on. (groaning)
Where are you?
Do you see what I look like?
Like an animal.
Why did you make me a Jew?
(grunting)
(grunting)
What did I do to you?!
What did I do?!
What did I do?!
Why did you do this to me?!
Why did you do this to me?!
(scraping)
(scraping)
(fire crackling)
♪
♪
♪
(crickets chirping, owl hooting)
(crickets chirping, owl hooting)
(twig snapping)
(gasping)
(men whispering)
(twig snapping)
(twig snapping)
(men shushing)
♪
♪
♪
(squawking)
(men gasping)
(squawking)
(men gasping)
(men laughing)
There’s your Jew.
Pluck it and serve it to your family.
Pluck it and serve it to your family.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
(laughing)
Man: What an idiot.
Man: What an idiot.
(warbling)
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
Zonia.
(scratching)
(sighing) Mamme.
(sighing) Mamme.
(scratching)
(scratching)
Tatte.
Uncle Jacob.
Uncle Jacob.
(scratching)
Auntie Erna.
Magic circle.
Magic circle.
(speaking Hebrew)
(voices whispering)
(voices whispering)
Mamme?
Mamme: Mayn kleyne mentshele.
Mamme: Mayn kleyne mentshele.
My little man.
I lost the pictures.
You’re all fading away.
When will we be together again?
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
(voices whispering)
(voices whispering)
(twig snapping)
(gasping)
(twig snapping)
(gasping)
♪
♪
♪
Hello?
Don’t be scared.
Where’d you even come from?
Where’d you even come from?
Hungry?
I only found a mushroom.
I only found a mushroom.
Are you a forest spirit?
No, I’m a little man.
Careful of the mushrooms.
You have to know which ones to pick.
You have to know which ones to pick.
Come.
Go ahead and sit.
(exhaling)
What happened to your shoes?
Fell apart.
Long time in the woods.
How long have you been walking?
My mamme went to find food.
My mamme went to find food.
She never came back.
They took your tatte?
No. He told me to wait while he went looking.
I stayed in the secret spot for as long as I could,
I stayed in the secret spot for as long as I could,
but I got hungry.
What’s your name?
Yanek.
Yanek. I have a secret spot too.
You can come stay with me.
I haven’t seen my mamme in ages.
I haven’t seen my mamme in ages.
You have to learn how to survive without them,
for a while.
It’s okay.
I can teach you.
I’m fast, I’m smart, I’m strong, and I’m brave.
I’m fast, I’m smart, I’m strong, and I’m brave.
I’ll protect you.
(exhaling)
How old are you?
Twelve.
Twelve.
Wait, no, the leaves are falling.
Wait, no, the leaves are falling.
I’m 13.
Soon you’ll become a bar mitzvah.
Actually I’m thinking of becoming Christian,
Actually I’m thinking of becoming Christian,
because the Christian God protects His people.
(sighing) We wouldn’t have to hide anymore.
How do you become Christian?
Max: (chuckles) See, if I knew that, we wouldn’t be here.
Come on.
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
(croaking)
Yanek?
(sighing)
(sighing)
(humming)
(chirping)
(chirping)
(gasping)
(grunting)
Jew! Stop struggling, you little swine.
(screaming)
(crying)
(crying)
Regina! Whoa. Whoa, whoa.
Regina!
Regina: What do you want now?
I caught myself a Jew!
You alone?
Family?
How old are you?
I promised my mamme I would be brave.
I promised my mamme I would be brave.
Lord.
You oaf of a man!
You oaf of a man!
Can’t you see he’s just a child?
They want us to be rid of them.
They say they’re parasites,
They say they’re parasites,
feeding off the honest work of peasants.
Regina: Well, they needn’t concern themselves
Regina: Well, they needn’t concern themselves
with this one,
doesn’t look like he’s been feeding off much at all.
Now release him before I tie you to the horse
Now release him before I tie you to the horse
and drag your boarish ass straight back to your wife!
And drag your boarish ass straight back to your wife!
(grunting)
What a mess.
What a mess.
Come child, inside.
Let’s see to those wrists.
(door closing)
Thought you’d come here and show off your spoils?
Thought you’d come here and show off your spoils?
Man: I have to take him in.
Chief’s orders.
Regina: Well then, a toast
Regina: Well then, a toast
to the bravest of child-catchers.
Drink.
(gulping, panting)
(gulping, panting)
Regina.
Drink to it.
Damn you, Regina! Damn you!
Damn you, Regina! Damn you!
Hey!
Regina: Run boy!
Man: Get off me!
(shouting)
(shouting)
(panting)
(panting)
Yanek? Yanek? Where are you?
Yanek! Yanek.
I thought you were gone.
I was looking for something to eat.
I was looking for something to eat.
I won’t leave you.
That’s what they said.
Yanek, I’m back now.
(sobbing)
You abandoned me.
You abandoned me.
Yanek.
Yanek, I’m sorry.
I said I will not leave you.
Don’t do that again.
I’m sorry, Yanek.
♪
♪
(plopping)
(plopping)
(sighing)
(sighing)
Ay! Max, it’s… Max, it’s freezing!
Ay! Max, it’s… Max, it’s freezing!
Ah!
Yanek, not that much! Not that much!
Not that much, Yanek!
(laughing)
Yanek!
(shushing)
(giggling) No! Max!
(laughing)
(laughing)
Yah!
Maybe there are fish we can catch.
Maybe.
Just maybe we can conjure up a golem from the mud.
Just maybe we can conjure up a golem from the mud.
What’s a golem?
To trap them for…
To trap them for…
You don’t know?
It’s magical,
powerful, fierce!
Tell me!
More than 100 years ago a great rabbi wanted
to protect his people, so he made a creature
to protect his people, so he made a creature
out of earth and sand and water and clay.
The rabbi wrote the secret, all-powerful,
The rabbi wrote the secret, all-powerful,
true name of God on a piece of paper
true name of God on a piece of paper
and slipped it in the creature’s ear.
(giggling)
The sacred spell turned the clay into a living being.
A golem.
A golem.
Whoa.
The golem did wonderful things for the Jews.
The golem did wonderful things for the Jews.
It saved them from hunger, it even cracked the heads
of ugly peasants who beat them.
Of ugly peasants who beat them.
Soon the enemies of the Jews saw what a mighty protector
they had, and ceased to plot against them.
They had, and ceased to plot against them.
And the Jews had no more use for the golem.
And the Jews had no more use for the golem.
So, the Rabbi removed the piece of paper
So, the Rabbi removed the piece of paper
from the golem’s ear…
(snapping fingers)
and the spell was undone.
(snapping fingers) Boom.
(snapping fingers) Boom.
Just like that. Gone.
Back into earth and sand.
Gone? Just like that?
Gone? Just like that?
♪
♪
♪
Gone.
Until we need to conjure up another,
then it will rise again.
Like now?
Yes! Yes, Yanek! The time has come!
Yes! Yes, Yanek! The time has come!
He will strike down the Nazis, snuff them out.
Hitler is no match for our golem!
(giggling)
(giggling)
Winter will be here soon.
We should dig a bunker before the ground freezes.
(grunting)
(birds chirping)
Dead souls.
What?
Going up to heaven.
It’s what makes them sing.
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
You hear that?
We’ll use this as a door, keep the cold out.
Last winter in our ghetto
Last winter in our ghetto
there was a boy sitting on the street
with eyes that didn’t blink and purple lips.
With eyes that didn’t blink and purple lips.
So many days and he never ever moved.
So many days and he never ever moved.
Then one sunny morning he was gone.
Then one sunny morning he was gone.
Just a pool of water.
Like he melted.
What if that happens to us?
What if that happens to us?
Yanek, don’t talk like that.
We’ll make it out of this winter.
Look at us. We’re building our own bunker.
Look at us. We’re building our own bunker.
Hey. Yanek.
Go pick that up.
Move it over there.
Yanek: This?
(grunting) Ow.
Come on.
Come on.
(grunting)
Try harder. Do it.
Try harder. Do it.
(grunting)
Go.
It’s too heavy, Max.
Come on. You can do it. You have to be stronger, Yanek!
(grunting) I can’t.
Yanek.
♪
♪
♪
(sighing)
♪
♪
(sniffing)
Nothing left.
(grunting)
(grunting)
So hungry it stings?
When we are older and out of these woods,
we can move to the city,
and, hey, you can help me sell my paintings,
and we’ll wear fancy clothes, and feast whenever we want!
And we’ll wear fancy clothes, and feast whenever we want!
Right?
Like… Like, ten times a day?
Like… Like, ten times a day?
Twenty if you like.
(twig snapping)
(man shouting)
(gasping)
Run! Run, Yanek!
Man: Go!
Max: Run faster!
(grunting)
Come on!
(whimpering)
Yanek! Come on!
Man: Hey!
Max: Come on!
(grunting)
(grunting)
Man: Come on! Come on!
(gun firing)
(Max & Yanek shouting)
Faster, Yanek! Yanek!
Max! (grunting)
(screaming)
Yanek!
Yanek!
Yanek!
♪
♪
Hey!
Hey!
(panting)
(panting)
(gun firing)
Ah!
♪
♪
(grunting)
(panting)
(panting)
Man: Did you see him?
This way.
(voices whispering)
(voices whispering)
Man: Little rat. Where are you?
Man: Little rat. Where are you?
(rustling)
(rustling)
Man 2: Must’ve scurried away.
Let’s go.
Let’s go.
(voices whispering)
(voices whispering)
(voices whispering)
Voice (whispering): Cat and mouse.
My time has run out.
♪
♪
(sighing)
(sighing)
(sighing)
♪
♪
Mamme: My brilliant boy.
What will we do without you?
Max: What will we do without you?
Max: What will we do without you?
Mamme: Max.
Yanek: Max.
(retching)
(grunting)
(grunting)
(screaming)
(crying)
(crying)
Yanek?
Yanek?
Max! Max!
Yanek. Yanek.
Yanek. Yanek.
Yanek. I’m sorry.
You’re hurt!
I’m sorry, this is my fault.
I’m sorry, this is my fault.
Yanek, mamme was wrong, I’m not strong,
Yanek, mamme was wrong, I’m not strong,
and I’m not brave and fast.
What? Yes, you are.
We’re not going to make it out. How? How do we survive?!
We’re not going to make it out. How? How do we survive?!
The golem.
No, the…
It’ll protect us.
Yanek, the golem is just a stupid story.
Yanek, the golem is just a stupid story.
It’s not true. It’s fake. It’s not real.
The only thing that’s real in this world is hunger and pain
The only thing that’s real in this world is hunger and pain
and ghosts and Jew-hunters.
They were trying to kill us.
They were trying to kill us.
(sniffling) Yanek.
It’s okay. It’s okay.
Yanek, they want to kill us.
It’s okay. It’s okay.
Yanek, they want to kill us.
(crying)
(crying)
(wind gusting)
(wind gusting)
(clanging)
♪
♪
♪
Yanek.
Ya?
Are you awake?
Ya.
I’m forgetting their faces.
I found this ages ago.
Kept it for you.
Kept it for you.
In case you ever lost your other paintbrush.
Smart.
An artist can never have too many brushes.
An artist can never have too many brushes.
Well, now you have one anyway.
You won’t forget me will you?
What do you mean?
If we don’t get to be always together,
move to the city, and wear fancy clothes,
move to the city, and wear fancy clothes,
when you are a really old man,
with wrinkles and white hair
with wrinkles and white hair
and a walking stick,
will you still remember me?
Will you still remember me?
Promise?
Promise.
You know, I used to think God had abandoned me,
You know, I used to think God had abandoned me,
but now, I think…
maybe he sent me you.
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
(gun firing)
woman: Guards!
(women screaming)
Max: Mamme?
(gun firing)
Zonia?
(gun firing)
Yanek!
(guns firing)
(woman screaming)
What?
(shushing)
Man: On the ground!
(gun firing)
(people crying)
(gun firing)
Yanek, come on. Let’s go take a peek.
Maybe it was the Russians. Maybe we’ve been liberated.
Yanek, come on. Come on, let’s go.
(gasping)
♪
♪
Wha…
♪
♪
Take off their coats and shoes.
What, Max? Wh…
What, Max? Wh…
Yanek, they can’t feel the cold, okay?
Okay? They can’t. I promise.
Okay? They can’t. I promise.
♪
♪
(grunting)
(grunting)
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
(exhaling)
♪
♪
♪
(straining)
(grunting)
Yanek.
What?
Someone is alive over there! I see something moving.
Yanek, come on. Come on.
What are you doing?
Yanek, I need your help.
No. We can’t. The water is too cold.
No. We can’t. The water is too cold.
We can! We have to!
Somebody’s alive over there!
I don’t… I don’t know.
Please, Yanek!
Yanek: I… I…
Yanek: I… I…
I’m sorry.
(shouting)
(gasping) Yanek, get up!
Come on. Yanek, come on.
It’s freezing.
Up.
Yanek: It’s freezing! (whimpering)
Max: Hold onto the stick. Stay with me.
Max: Hold onto the stick. Stay with me.
Yanek, come on.
(whimpering)
(whimpering)
(gasping)
Yanek!
(crying out)
♪
♪
Max: Almost there.
(Yanek gasping)
She’s dead.
(baby crying)
(gasping) Yanek, a baby!
(gasping) Yanek, a baby!
(crying loudly)
Please, I’m freezing.
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
Please, we have to go back to the bunker!
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
Mamme. Mamme, what do I do?
♪
♪
♪
(crying)
(crying)
Yanek, I need you to guide me across.
Strong and brave.
(grunting)
(grunting)
(crying)
Ah! Yanek! The baby! Help!
(crying)
(crying)
Max, Max. Grab the stick!
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
Yanek, come on. Take off your old clothes.
(shivering)
(shivering)
Come on. Take them off.
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
Yanek. Yanek, come on. You’ll freeze.
Listen to me!
Listen to me!
Someone will hear it.
At least take stuff, please.
Okay. Come on. Let’s go.
(baby crying)
Max: (shushing) Be quiet.
(shushing)
(baby fussing)
(shushing)
(baby fussing)
(baby crying)
(shushing)
Max, what did you do?
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
(singing in Yiddish)
(singing in Yiddish)
(baby cooing)
(baby cooing)
It’s okay.
(baby crying)
(baby crying)
Yanek: So cold.
(shivering)
(shivering)
Told you we needed those coats more than them.
♪
♪
(Yanek coughing)
(coughing)
I can’t let you get sick.
I can’t let you get sick.
I have to find you some food.
♪
♪
(man yelling in Russian)
(man yelling in Russian)
Alone?
Are you sure?
Are you sure?
What are you doing here?
Where are you running to?
My hiding space.
Ah.
(speaking Russian)
(speaking Russian)
We saw the pits.
Pits?
Your knife, give it to me. I need it.
You are Russian soldiers?
You are Russian soldiers?
Not quite.
Pah!
(Russians laughing)
(Russians laughing)
You can’t be here, boy.
This place, it’s about to become the frontline.
This place, it’s about to become the frontline.
Turn around, and go back the way you came.
Move boy!
Get out of here!
Da.
Okay.
♪
♪
Okay. Okay.
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
(crying)
We have to get rid of this baby.
We have to get rid of this baby.
I’m going to Jasko. He’ll know what to do.
(baby fussing)
(baby fussing)
(whispering) No. Max, no.
(whispering) No. Max, no.
(baby fussing)
(baby fussing)
(baby crying)
It’s okay. (shushing)
It’s okay. (shushing)
(Max shushing)
(baby fussing)
(baby crying)
Staszek.
Staszek.
(baby crying)
Staszek.
I found a baby.
I can’t… Everyone else was dead.
I need a grown up to take care of it.
Please.
Good God, boy.
Good God, boy.
(baby fussing)
(panting)
Me and Yanek can’t take care of it.
Me and Yanek can’t take care of it.
It cries too much.
You are right, you cannot…
Who is Yanek?
Who is Yanek?
He’s my best friend. (stammering)
He found me. Maybe he’s an angel.
He found me. Maybe he’s an angel.
Please, can you and Kasia please take the baby?
Uh…
Uh…
We will find someone for her.
Thank you.
Thank you. I have to get back to Yanek. I think he’s sick.
Thank you. I have to get back to Yanek. I think he’s sick.
(baby crying)
Staszek, the Russians are close.
Staszek, the Russians are close.
There is talk of a German retreat.
Bring your friend to the cowshed.
Bring your friend to the cowshed.
After dark.
Thank you! Thank you, Jasko!
(baby coughing)
(grunting)
(baby fussing)
(grunting)
Yanek, Yanek. I’m taking you somewhere safer.
It’s so hot.
No, no, no. You have to keep your clothes on.
No, no, no. You have to keep your clothes on.
You have to stay warm.
Why am I under the earth?
It’s our secret spot.
Yanek, Jasko said the war is almost over.
Yanek, Jasko said the war is almost over.
The golem has risen and it’s crushing the Nazis!
You’ll see your mamme and your sister again.
No. No, Yanek.
You are my only family now.
Yanek?
Yanek. Are you awake?
Yanek. Are you awake?
God, please cover him with your feathers.
(singing in Yiddish)
(singing in Yiddish)
Sleep. Get your strength back.
Tomorrow we’ll go to Jasko’s.
(explosion blasting)
(artillery fire in the distance)
Yanek.
Wake up. We need to go to Jasko’s.
Yanek.
Why are you so cold?
Yanek, what’s wrong? Wake up.
(explosion going off in the distance)
Yank, come on!
Come on!
Time to get up now.
Time to get up now.
Yanek?
Yanek?
Yanek.
Yanek, why aren’t you waking up?
Yanek? Yanek, please wake up.
Yanek? Yanek, please wake up.
Please?
Please don’t leave me alone.
Please don’t leave me alone.
Yanek.
The war is almost over… You can do it.
The war is almost over… You can do it.
(explosion in the distance)
Jasko: Staszek!
Jasko?
Staszek!
Jasko.
Staszek.
(grunting)
(grunting)
Yanek won’t wake up.
Wait out here.
(birds chirping)
(birds chirping)
(voices whispering)
♪
♪
No.
No, no. Jasko.
No.
♪
♪
Like this…
Like this…
♪
♪
He didn’t want to go into the freezing river
He didn’t want to go into the freezing river
but I pulled him in.
It’s because of me.
It’s because of me.
I couldn’t even keep him alive!
(crying)
(crying)
I was supposed to protect him.
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
(giggling)
He is a hero, you know?
He is a hero, you know?
Staszek saved a baby girl.
Strong and brave.
Jasko: Kasia!
The Soviets have taken the town!
The Germans are gone!
The Germans are gone!
(gasping)
They’re gone?
Gone, Staszek.
No more hiding.
No more hiding.
(Kasia laughing)
My name is Max.
Jasko: Max.
Jasko: Max.
I can be Max!
Kasia: Max!
(Kasia laughing)
(Kasia laughing)
Please take me home.
Hey.
(horse snorting)
Ready?
(horse snorting)
(horse snorting)
♪
♪
That’s good.
An old man’s walking and holding onto the young.
An old man’s walking and holding onto the young.
Girl: Hello. (chuckling)
Max: Hello.
I introduce to you, Maxwell Smart.
This is…
I am…
This is the descendant.
Yeah.
I was always wondering what happened to your mother.
All my life.
She’s a survivor.
Speak in Yiddish. She might understand.
(speaking Yiddish)
(speaking Yiddish)
Son: She knows Yiddish, but she can’t speak.
She can’t find the words.
She can’t find the words.
Do you remember the river?
How freezing the water was?
How the two children,
How the two children,
the two boys came and saved you?
How they came, went into the water,
How they came, went into the water,
and took you out from the arms of your mother?
You owe him your life.
You owe him your life.
(speaking indistinctly)
(speaking indistinctly)
(all laughing)
Son: It’s okay.
(laughing) She says it’s okay.
(laughing)
♪
♪
I feel better, and I don’t feel as guilty.
It’s true.
Yanek died, he’s a hero.
He saved you and you have children.
He saved you and you have children.
They will have children and children and children.
A continuation of life forever.
A continuation of life forever.
♪
♪
♪ The bones of children in the woods ♪
♪ The bones of children in the woods ♪
♪ The broken branches of a tree ♪
♪ The broken branches of a tree ♪
♪ The feel of pounding in your blood ♪
♪ The smell of earth beneath your feet ♪
♪ The smell of earth beneath your feet ♪
♪ Don’t forget to wear your gloves ♪
♪ Don’t forget to wear your gloves ♪
♪ Don’t forget to wear your shoes ♪
♪ Don’t forget to wear your shoes ♪
♪ It started hailing from above ♪
♪ The sky is purple as a bruise ♪
♪ The sky is purple as a bruise ♪
♪ And so it gets under your nails ♪
♪ And so it gets under your nails ♪
♪ And so it gets into your nose ♪
♪ And so it gets into your eyes ♪
♪ And so it gets into your eyes ♪
♪ You’ll never get it out your clothes ♪
♪ You’ll never get it out your clothes ♪
♪
♪
♪ We have to even out the piles ♪
♪ They’ll see the earth is freshly churned ♪
♪ They’ll see the earth is freshly churned ♪
♪ They’re bound to be here in a while ♪
♪ They’re bound to be here in a while ♪
♪ They’ll find whatever isn’t burned ♪
♪ All these children in the woods ♪
♪ What does it matter here today? ♪
♪ What does it matter here today? ♪
♪ It isn’t bad it isn’t good ♪
♪ It isn’t bad it isn’t good ♪
♪ They’d only grow up anyway ♪
♪
♪
