In the film The Zookeeper's Wife, the son, Ryszard Żabiński, defiantly yelled "Hitler ist kaput!" (meaning "Hitler is finished" or "Hitler is destroyed" in German). This occurred as a German officer was leaving the area.
Context of the Yell
This specific outburst by the young boy was a moment of intense tension and defiance within the narrative. It showcased the boy's burgeoning understanding of the war and his innate resistance against the Nazi regime, despite the immense danger such an act posed.
The event unfolded in the following sequence:
- A German officer had previously interacted with the boy, pinning a swastika emblem onto his sweater.
- During this interaction, the officer yelled "Heil Hitler" while saluting, and the boy, seemingly under duress or as a performative act, mirrored the salute and repeated the phrase.
- However, moments later, as the German officer was departing, the boy spontaneously yelled out "Hitler ist kaput!"
- Immediately following his defiant yell, a woman quickly intervened, grabbing him and covering his mouth to prevent further dangerous repercussions.
This bold act underscored the family's perilous situation and the constant threat they faced while hiding Jewish refugees in their Warsaw Zoo during World War II. It highlighted the deep-seated resentment and hope for an end to the Nazi occupation, even from a child's perspective.
