Watch Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport

In the year 1938, about ten thousand Jewish children who were living in Nazi Germany were sent away to various countries in Europe to save them from the atrocities of the Holocaust. Into the Arms of Strangers is a heart-warming and deeply affecting documentary from 2000 that tells the stories of some of these children, who were carried away to safety as part of a rescue mission called the Kindertransport.

Narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Judi Dench, the film sheds light on the experiences of these children who were separated from their family, friends, and homes to start a new life in a foreign land. The movie is a compilation of interviews with several survivors of the Kindertransport and contains footage from that era. It's a vivid and stirring account of the way young lives were turned upside down by the horrific reality of the Holocaust.

The documentary begins by providing a bit of historical context – the rise of Hitler and his regime, the brutal treatment of Jews in Germany, and the terrifying pogrom known as Kristallnacht. It then transitions into telling the stories of individuals who were swept up in this forced exodus. The movie features both European and American survivors who were involved in the Kindertransport. These individuals share their memories of being torn away from their homes, their families, and everything they had known.

The interviews are deeply personal and often emotional. These are stories of children who, despite their young age, had to find the strength to make their way in a new country with a new language, new customs, and often, new religions. They describe the overwhelming confusion, the loneliness, and the sense of abandonment they felt as they were forcibly removed from their homes, often without warning. We hear from people like Lory Cahn, who at just four years old was taken away from her parents and sent to England. She speaks movingly about the traumatic memories that have remained with her for life. Another survivor, Kurt Fuchel, recounts how he was one of the few lucky ones to be able to stay with his parents, but only because of a last-minute bureaucratic oversight.

The footage from the era is equally compelling. We see images of children waving goodbye to their parents, the anxious and tearful faces on the platform as the trains depart, and the arrival of the children in their new homes – often in the midst of a chaotic war. It's incredibly powerful to see these real-life experiences played out on screen, and it gives viewers an even deeper appreciation of the challenges and triumphs of these brave souls.

One of the most heartening aspects of Into the Arms of Strangers is the way it explores the bonds between the rescued children and their rescuers. The movie highlights the exceptional kindness of the British people who took these frightened, endangered children into their homes and did everything in their power to make them feel safe, loved, and welcome. Viewers see the genuine affection between the Kindertransport children and the families that took them in, and it's a stirring reminder of the good that can be found even in the bleakest of circumstances.

The documentary is not an easy watch, as one might expect given the harrowing subject matter, but it is an important and powerful film. It's a stirring portrayal of human resilience and compassion, in the face of unspeakable evil. The Kindertransport children were victims of some of the darkest moments in human history, but through their stories, we are reminded that even in the bleakest of times, we can find hope and humanity. The film ends by emphasizing the importance of remembering and learning from the Holocaust, so that the world may never forget the immense suffering of those who experienced it.

In conclusion, Into the Arms of Strangers is a poignant and inspiring story of survival, hope, and resilience. The documentary provides a rare glimpse into the experiences of the Kindertransport children, and it's a moving tribute to the courage and spirit of those who survived one of the most traumatic periods in history. It's a must-see for anyone interested in Holocaust history or who wants to learn more about the power of compassion and kindness in the face of unimaginable hardship.

Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 79.