Before you stand on the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau or walk the halls of Schindler’s Factory, cinema can be a powerful bridge to the past. But in a world filled with romanticized "historical fiction," choosing the right source is a matter of respect. As local experts who walk these memorial sites daily, we advocate for the truth over "Hollywood tropes." The following films are not horror movies; they are raw, historically accurate reflections of human nature. Whether you are preparing for your first trip or reflecting on a past visit, these 10 essential movies provide the honest framework needed to truly understand the history of the Holocaust and World War II 

Essential Cinema

These films are selected because they avoid easy answers and focus on the complex, often cruel reality of the era.

The Zone of Interest (2023)
Dir. Jonathan Glazer

A modern masterpiece that focuses on the domestic life of Rudolf Höss and his wife, living in a beautiful home directly adjacent to the Auschwitz walls. It is a profound study of the "banality of evil," in which the horrors of the camp are heard only as muffled sounds from a garden wall.

The Pianist (2002)
Dir. Roman Polanski

Based on the memoirs of Władysław Szpilman, this film depicts the survival of a Jewish pianist in the Warsaw Ghetto. It is a raw, unyielding look at the systematic destruction of a city and its people, focusing on the loneliness and randomness of survival. Polanski, himself a survivor of the Krakow Ghetto, brings an unparalleled level of authenticity to the screen. It is a difficult watch, but necessary to understand the sheer scale of the "Final Solution."

Son of Saul (2015)
Dir. László Nemes

This film offers a claustrophobic, first-person perspective of a member of the Sonderkommando—Jewish prisoners forced to assist in the operation of the gas chambers at Birkenau. By keeping the camera tightly on the protagonist, the film portrays the horror of the camp as a blurry, constant background noise. It is an intense, exhausting experience that strips away all sentimentality.

Night and Fog (1956)
Dir. Alain Resnais

A 32-minute French documentary that was one of the first to confront the reality of the concentration camps. It juxtaposes the tranquil, overgrown remains of the camps in the 1950s with the horrific footage taken just a decade earlier. It asks a haunting question that still resonates today: "Who is responsible?" It is a brief but deeply impactful meditation on memory and the danger of forgetting.

The World at War: Genocide (1973)
Prod. Jeremy Isaacs

This specific episode of the legendary British documentary series remains one of the most accurate and sober accounts of the Holocaust ever broadcast. It combines historical analysis with witness accounts in a way that is educational and deeply moving without being sensational.

Schindler’s List (1993)
Dir. Steven Spielberg

Perhaps the most famous film on this list, it tells the story of Oskar Schindler’s transition from a war profiteer to a savior of over 1,000 Jews. Filmed largely on location in Krakow’s Kazimierz district, it provides a visual map of the city’s wartime history. While it has some cinematic flourishes, its depiction of the liquidation of the Krakow Ghetto remains a benchmark for historical cinema.

Come and See (1985)
Dir. Elem Klimov

While not strictly about the Holocaust of the Jewish people, this Soviet film depicts the scorched-earth policy in Belarus. It follows a young boy who joins the resistance, witnessing the unimaginable cruelty of Nazi "anti-partisan" units. It is widely considered one of the most visceral and "cruel" war movies ever made, showing the psychological toll of total war. It serves as a haunting reminder of the broader atrocities committed across Eastern Europe during WWII.

Shoah (1985)
Dir. Claude Lanzmann

This is not a feature film with actors, but a 9-hour documentary consisting entirely of interviews with survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators. Lanzmann refused to use archival footage, focusing instead on the landscapes of the camps today and the voices of those who were there. It is a monumental work of historical preservation.

The Last Days (1998)
Dir. James Moll

Produced by Steven Spielberg’s Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, this documentary follows five Hungarian Jews during the final year of the war. It highlights the irrationality of the Nazi machine, which accelerated the killings even as they were losing the war. The personal stories are heartbreaking but provide a face to the millions of lives lost.

The Grey Zone (2001)
Dir. Tim Blake Nelson

Based on the writings of Dr. Miklós Nyiszli, a prisoner who assisted Josef Mengele, this film depicts the 1944 revolt of the Sonderkommando at Birkenau. It focuses on the agonizing choices and the loss of traditional morality inside the camp walls. It is brutal and unrelenting, refusing to offer a "heroic" ending. It is perhaps the most accurate depiction of the physical and psychological environment of the crematoria at Birkenau.

From Screen to Reality: Professional Perspectives in Krakow

While cinema can prepare the heart, only a professional educator can guide the mind through the complexities of these sites. At Hello Cracow, we believe that visiting these locations requires more than just a "tour", but a perspective built on years of research and museum-standard education.

Walking Through History

Understanding the Holocaust and WWII history is a journey that doesn't end when the credits roll or when you leave the museum gates. It is a process of constant learning and remembrance. We encourage you to balance these heavy historical insights with the vibrant, resilient life of modern Krakow—a city that has survived, rebuilt, and now stands as a witness to history. To truly honor the victims and survivors, we must seek the truth beyond the fiction. Whether you are just starting your research or are ready to stand on the ground where history happened, our team of professional guides is here to ensure your experience is respectful, accurate, and profound.