Hallmark's The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler Movie Review (Anna Paquin)
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An Unforgettable True Story: The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler Hallmark
On this page, learn a bit more about the 2009 Hallmark movie The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, which does a moving and fairly true job of sharing her story as it unfolded during a dark and particularly dreadful period in modern history.
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The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler
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The real Irena Sendler was nominated
for the Nobel Peace Price in 2007.
The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler Trailer With Behind The Scenes Footage
Plot Summary of The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler
Irena was a social worker, which granted her access to the Warsaw Ghetto and allowed her to formulate a plan and rescue these children. She gathered together a group of friends and coworkers to remove the children from the Ghetto and find them safe homes with Catholic families. She used any method that would work including but not limited to ambulances, suitcases and wheelbarrows.
The story comes to the conclusion that one might expect given the circumstances. In the movie as in real life, Ms. Sendler managed to keep her silence and that is where the movie ends. In real life, she survived the war years and lived a long life, claiming that what she had done during World War II was something she HAD to do and not something over which she had any choice. In 2007, she was nominated for the 2007 Nobel Peace Price. In 2008, Ms. Sendler died.
Fast Facts About The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler
WRITERS: Based on Irena Sendler's biography written by Anna Mieszkowska.
SCRIPT: John Kent Harrison and Lawrence John Spagnola
ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE: April 19, 2009
DVD RELEASE DATE: June, 2009
FILMED IN: Riga, Latvia because Warsaw was too modern in appearance.
AWARDS: Nominated for 6 and winner of 1 Golden Globe
RUNTIME: 95 minutes
RATING: Not rated
Amazon Customer Reviews of The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler
Amazon customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive for this movie, how could they not be? This biographical true story is well done and moving; it is a story about humanity and about great courage. It is NOT a feel-good movie. It is disturbing but, as Amazon customer Tom said, "Kudos to Hallmark for bringing the heroic story of Sendler and Zegota (the organization to save Jewish people) to the American general public." Amazon customers also felt strongly that Irena Sendler should have received the Nobel Piece Prize.
To see all of the Amazon customer reviews, click right here.
The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler Reviews
- The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler Review by Variety
Variety.com called this film somewhat 'sanitized' because, of course, it is a Hallmark and a made-for-television production. However, they ALSO said that it is edgy and that it features a strong performance by Anna Paquin. They praised the set in Latvia which looks "every bit as bleak as it should." They also called it "taut, emotional and compelling" all of which, in my opinion, aptly describe this movie.- The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler Review by New York Times
The New York Times review used the headline, "A Female Oskar Schindler of the Warsaw Ghetto." They went on to say that the movie is somewhat predictable. They agreed that Irena Sendler possessed a courageous heart but found the movie a bit weaker than it could have been.- The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler From The Washington Post
The Washington Post starts off by saying that seventy years later we are still being horrified by stories from the Holocaust and, occasionally, inspired. They called The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler 'masterfully done' and said that this invites comparisons to Schindler's List and that it is similar but on a smaller scale.
Is The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler Suitable For Children?
This movie, as is the case with many made-for-television movies, is not rated.
A tough call, the story in this film could be okay for OLDER children who are learning about the treatment of the Jewish people during World War II, assuming that they are aware of the atrocities of that time period. Some say it is a reasonably good version of the real historical events. However, this movie does have emotionally intense scenes which will likely be upsetting to children and other sensitive viewers. Of particular note, is a lengthy scene with the Gestapo, which I found VERY DISTURBING. If you are unsure of whether or not you should share this movie with your children, it is a good candidate for previewing without your children present.
Read more on how to pick movies for children by clicking right here.
Would YOU recommend The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler?
Order Your Copy of The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler From Amazon
Can you imagine giving YOUR children away?
Some of the most heartwrenching scenes in this film are when a parent or parents were giving away their babies and children. To me it is unimaginable that anyone would have to do so for any reason. However, it happened. If you were Jewish and being held in the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland during World War II, do you think you would have been able to give YOUR children away?
Mother of the Children of the Holocaust: The Irena Sendler Story
The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler is based on the 2005 authorized biography, Irena Sendler: Mother of the Children of the Holocaust by Anna Mieszkowska. I cannot personally vouch for this book at this time and unfortunately, it is no longer in print. Collectible copies are available from Amazon and eBay sellers and hopefully, I will find a copy of this hard-to-find book to read both to learn more about the "Mother of the Children of the Holocaust" and to see if it ties up a few loose ends from the movie. If you have read this book, make sure to let us all know what you think in the comment box at the end of the page.
Click here to order your copy of
Irena Sendler: Mother of the Children of the Holocaust
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Buy Irena Sendler: Mother of the Children of the Holocaust
From the sellers on eBay.
Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto
A children's version of the story written by by Susan Goldman Rubin.
Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto
Amazon Price: $9.50 (as of 05/31/2012)
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Holocaust Reading
More Hallmark Movies
"There are two kinds of people:
good and bad. Nationality, race,
and religion do not play any role;
what is important is which
human you are."
~ Irena Sendler
What do you think of Irena Sendler's story? The movie?
In the movie and in real life, Irena Sendler kept meticulous records of who she placed each and every child with. However, at the end of the war when it was time to return the children to their parents, most of the families were gone...
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veryirie
Feb 8, 2012 @ 7:27 pm | delete
- I haven't seen the movie yet. This woman and all those who helped her were heros...no doubt.
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dawngibson Jul 7, 2011 @ 1:49 pm | delete
- It's a great film, but I wish there was more about what happened to the kids, especially Karolyna Rozenfeld.
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sousababy
Apr 19, 2011 @ 9:40 am | delete
- Had to revisit this lens which I hope to feature soon on one of mine. I shall let you know on your Bio page asap. Sure hope it helps, you did a great job promoting this excellent movie. Take good care, Rose
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GrowWear
Mar 17, 2011 @ 4:58 pm | delete
- Will be watching this movie.Did not know there had been one made, but so glad to hear it. :)
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tandemonimom Mar 17, 2011 @ 2:44 pm | delete
- This sounds like a fabulous movie! We'll have to watch it.
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The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler is a well-done Hallmark Hall of Fame movie based on the true story of real-life hero Irena Sendler.
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