Rating: 8/10
The time is 1939 and the place is Poland, homeland of Antonina Zabinski and her husband, Dr. Jan Zabinski. The Warsaw Zoo flourishes under Jan's stewardship and Antonina's care. When their country is invaded by the Nazis, Jan and Antonina are forced to report to the Reich's newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck. The Zabinskis covertly begin working with the Resistance and put into action plans to save the lives of hundreds from what has become the Warsaw Ghetto.
Easily the animals are one of the greatest parts of The Zookeeper's wife. They are what sets this WWII drama apart from the rest. There are several scenes involving a bunny that will induce tears throughout any audience.
The film has some very heart-wrenching moments. It also has a few themes in terms of plot that don't always go over too well. Overall The Zookeeper's wife is a good drama film.
For Parents:
Sexual Content: Antonina and Jan are seen in bed together, on one occasion a woman's breast is briefly seen as she covers up on another occasion they are seen passionately kissing before the camera cuts away. There is some sexual tension between two characters and the woman doesn't want it there. A young girl who looks no older than 14 is raped off-screen, she is seen later with blood running down her legs, bruised, and clearly traumatized. A woman is nearly raped by a German officer before she manages to stop him. (The sexual content in this film would make it more suitable for teens)
Violence: Two soldiers rape a young girl off-screen. Jews are manhandled and are seen dead. Two women are shot point blank int eh back of the neck. Blood is seen on a wall afterward, and although there isn't much the camera doesn't shy away from the first shot. A couple brief scenes of gunfights, one soldier is shot in the neck, off-screen, and another is seen shot through his back and the exit wound is seen. Several animals are killed, their bloody corpses are seen around the zoo. One elephant is seen with two bloody holes in its head. Jews are sent via train to concentration camps. A child is supposedly shot off-screen. (The violence in this film would make it more suitable for teens)
Drugs and alcohol: A few scenes of social drinking, and historical smoking.
OK for teens 15 and up.
Copyright April 15, 2017
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