The Escape from Auschwitz

For every action,

there is a reaction.

Escape does not set you free.

Work

sets you free.

If you fail to recognize this rule,

I will continue to remind you.

Show you, in fact.

As a consequence of your actions,

this, of course,

is part of my day.

My recreation.

My ability to serve my country with authority.

The fatherland

demands respect.

And respect

it shall have.

Rosa.

Rosa.

I can't keep doing this if you're not able to cooperate.

Cooperation is not something

I'm willing to risk my life for.

Please.

Everything okay?

Pick it up.

Pick it up.

You choose to disobey me?

Look at me.

Run.

Stop.

Back to work.

Freedom.

You think this is playtime?

You're here to obey us.

So you will obey us.

Load the wagon.

If they see you resting, I'll be cleaning your blood.

Sorry I'm late.

What happened?

Another attempt.

You know how?

No real plan by the sounds of it.

A man that skipped his duties

of pulling a cart full of rubbish.

Caught?

- On the south border. - Suicide.

How many?

50.

Death by starvation.

Stop.

These walls see everything.

I shouldn't have to warn you.

This is a nightmare.

I'm going to escape.

And your punishment will be

the murder of hundreds of Jews.

If things continue as they are,

it'll be thousands before liberation.

What are you suggesting?

The world needs to know.

And you're assuming they do not know already?

Extremism is humanity's best kept secret.

You can

look at me.

You are doing a good job here.

Roll call is in 10 minutes.

15223.

Clean yourself up.

46574.

Is there a problem?

I won't ask again!

We must remember

that neither escape or suicide

are acts of bravery.

Instead, they both demonstrate pure cowardice.

You may all be wondering why I chose

not to shoot him in the head.

Because he wanted to die.

So that he could not be punished.

Sadly...

This is not how it works.

But let's not dwell.

We are running behind,

and my breakfast will spoil.

Everybody back to the barracks!

Immediately!

I saw you.

I don't know what you're referring to.

The Kapo.

Everyone, inside immediately!

I want to know the contents of the paper he gave you.

And why didn't you just take it from him?

Well?

I'm not willing to risk my life,

and most importantly, everybody else's.

Halt!

What was he asking for?

He's part of a small resistance group

in the male sector of the camp.

They claim they need someone from this side to assist them.

And you don't want to help?

I just want to survive.

What is the matter with you?

I've been taking notes.

What kind of notes?

Documenting the entries against the murders in the camps.

Nationalities, age, gender, date of death.

And what's the problem?

I think I must've fallen asleep

before I hid them last night,

and somebody's taken them.

Is there a problem?

Back to work.

Why did you take my paperwork?

I think you're lucky I found it rather than somebody else.

Why did you keep it a secret?

They're just statistics.

If I'd have known your intentions of escaping

were for more than your own personal gain,

I may have been less reluctant in the first place.

Thoughts?

It's nothing I don't already know.

It's what needs to be told.

Oh and how are you suggesting we spread the word?

I was hoping that's where you might step in.

All this will be for nothing,

if you do not plan accordingly.

Think about how many we could save.

And if we get caught,

think of how many will be sacrificed for our stupidity.

Well, our sacrifice could end this for good.

Well, I'm unsure how you think we can save the world.

I do have something to offer.

I speak German.

Stop.

No resting until you've reached Kanada.

That's where the treasure is.

Food.

Better.

What could be better than food?

Clean this.

Move.

Where did you say he was taking that cart?

Once the carts are filled with the possessions of the Jews

they're coming on the train.

They collect them and take them for sorting.

How far is Kanada from here?

Do you know what the living conditions are like?

Fewer guards.

And alcohol.

Don't forget I'm just a regular Auschwitz man working.

Working on what?

Mechanics.

Right again.

Rosa.

I know.

What do you mean?

I know.

What do you want?

To help.

I am privileged here.

I have more authority than most.

You want to help us?

I have a good reputation with the guards.

I have more access than most in Kanada.

Rosa doesn't want to help, but I do.

You need to get back.

Now.

Kanada.

So...

Kanada.

You understand Kanada is not a retreat?

Less guards, less chance of getting caught.

And how do you suppose you would get there

without being caught?

Tonight, I escape from the barracks,

and hide in the carts bound for Kanada in the morning.

I'll disguise myself amongst the contents of the cart,

and pretend that I'm assigned to Kanada.

From there, I will make my escape.

You have not thought this through.

You do not have to come with me.

But I may have more chance of surviving if you do.

I will arrive at the second cart from the right

of the male barracks after nightfall.

I will not be suspected until the morning.

Heinrich!

How many tomorrow?

23,000 from Hungary.

And you are prepared?

I am.

Are you?

The team around us is questionable.

How so?

Missing inmates.

Hey.

Shh, shh, shh, shh.

Now we rest.

You're going to sleep?

And you're not?