During the Holocaust, a terrifying period, Jews weren’t the only ones feeling fear; those who were helping them faced similar dread. Movies set during World War II, such as “The Pianist,” “Schindler’s List,” and “The Zookeeper’s Wife,” depict individuals from that era exhibiting remarkable acts of courage in shielding Jews, fully aware that their lives could be forfeit if discovered. In the documentary “UnBroken” (available on Netflix), we witness the true account of how the Weber siblings managed to survive the Holocaust as a unit, and learn about the various instances of bravery that made their survival possible.
In “UnBroken,” it’s revealed that Alexander and Lina Weber were parents to seven children: Alfons, Senta, Ruth, Gertrude, Renee, Judith, and Bela. Tragically, Lina was taken away and killed in a concentration camp. However, farmers Arthur and Paula Schmidt bravely offered to shelter the Weber siblings for their father, Alexander. For two years, the children were hidden, and during this time, their father emphasized that they should “always stick together.” This bond held strong even through periods of scarcity, fear, and the ever-present threat of discovery. Here are five instances of courage displayed in the 2025 Netflix release that have left a lasting impression on me:
Lina Weber Had The Courage To Shelter Jews
Lina Weber, a daughter of a cantor, deeply believed that it was the just course of action to safeguard Jews during Nazi rule. She would secure visas and passports for numerous Jews, providing them sanctuary within her own home. Despite her husband’s pleas to halt her rebellious acts due to the risk of capture, Lina remained resolute in her purpose. Tragically, the Gestapo uncovered her activities. The youngest child, Bela, recalled an instance when she was three years old; her mother concealed her in a closet and instructed her to stay silent before being taken away and eventually losing her life at Auschwitz.
Sadly, Lina Weber didn’t live long enough to witness her children grow into adults. However, she valiantly stood firm by her moral convictions and compassion for others, often putting her life on the line. Her unwavering efforts to shield those in need, even at great personal risk, were an extraordinary display of courage that we all aspire to mimic under oppressive circumstances. Her spirit continues to thrive in each of her children and in the subsequent generations of her family who carry on her remarkable legacy.
Lina Weber Challenged Nazi Authority To Free Her Husband
In 1933, Alexander Weber was apprehended by the Nazis and spent approximately nine months at the Oranienburg concentration camp in Berlin, carrying out tasks in the laundry department. It’s been suggested that the cause of his arrest could have stemmed from him being a Catholic man who later became Jewish through marriage to a Jewish woman.
In my perspective as a movie reviewer, this captivating documentary unveils an intriguing turn of events surrounding the Weber family. A letter, penned to the Weber household, served not only to clear Alexander’s name but also kept him shackled within prison walls. The eldest Weber sibling, Lina, is portrayed in Alons’ memoir as a bold and tenacious figure. She marched herself down to the courthouse with the exonerating letter in hand, using the Nazis’ very bureaucracy against them to ultimately secure Alexander’s release. This act of courage and cunningness is a testament to Lina’s indomitable spirit and resourcefulness.
The Nazis were a formidable, menacing power. Anyone who dared to challenge them faced the possibility of arrest, torment, or even execution. Despite knowing the perils involved in attempting to free her husband, Lina displayed remarkable courage by confronting prejudice and advocating for someone she deeply cared about. This underscores that when love is strong, fear doesn’t hinder the pursuit of justice.
The Weber Siblings Survived The Holocaust Through Unity
The seven Weber siblings experienced their hardships united as a family. Being the sole group of siblings who survived the Holocaust together, they faced challenging circumstances while hiding in a laundry hut for two years without cooking facilities or running water. Additionally, they lived in constant fear of being transported to a concentration camp, which was an extreme difficulty and a horrific circumstance that no one should ever have to encounter.
Despite their father’s instructions to stay together and the bond of their love, courage manifested as these children refused to let the chaos of WWII push them apart. In a life-threatening situation, I believe I could endure more easily if I were surrounded by my loved ones.
Arthur And Paula Schmidt Bravely Hid The Weber Siblings
Following Lina’s arrest due to her clandestine actions, Alexander Weber placed his children under the guardianship of Arthur and Paula Schmidt. Living in Worin and managing a produce farm, this couple secretly sheltered the Weber offspring in their truck at night and drove them to their farm. Here, they concealed the siblings in a laundry shack for a span of two years. The Schmidts went above and beyond for the children, ensuring their essential needs were catered to. They even approached the mayor of Worin, Rudi Fehrmann, who issued ration cards for them, enabling them to secure food beyond what they could gather from the Schmidts’ farm.
Under the harsh rule of the Nazis, helping Jews was punishable by law, carrying penalties ranging from imprisonment to brutal punishment or even death. The valiance shown by the Schmidts is an act of immense selflessness, one that requires great courage to undertake. When the director, Beth Lane, questioned the young people loitering near the Webers’ former building if they would perform what the Schmidts did, one girl found it hard to respond. The understanding that by saving lives you may be putting your own at risk is a bravery that transcends words. Even in the most terrifying of times, heroes can still dwell among ordinary people.
Documentarian Beth Lane Had The Courage To Uncover Her Family History
Bela, the youngest member of the Weber family, took her daughter Beth Lane to visit the farm in Worin, Germany, which she and her siblings had hidden on during the Holocaust. This experience sparked a deep commitment within Bela to ensure that her family’s remarkable tale of survival was not forgotten. She felt it was crucial for their story to be shared with the world. With the help of her uncle Alfons’ 40-page memoir, visits to her relatives’ native town, and each sibling’s memories of that period, the documentary titled “UnBroken” came into being.
In a different phrasing, Lane is commendable for having the bravery to discuss their painful history with her aunts, mother, and even German citizens. It takes great courage to revisit old wounds, but she approached the topic delicately, driven by the altruistic intention of sharing their stories. Moreover, she didn’t shy away from asking tough questions – not just to her relatives, but also to the German citizens she met, inquiring, “Would you have hidden me?” The documentary showcases how emotionally challenging it was for her to listen to the heart-wrenching narratives and view documents detailing arrest records. Despite this, she persevered, understanding that this story needed a broad audience.
UnBroken is an exceptional documentary that sheds light on Jewish-American history and displays remarkable real-life bravery. It’s awe-inspiring to see the extent of human capabilities when it comes to helping others, and it invites introspection about the hidden reserves of courage within us.
Including Beth Lane’s documentary in your viewing lineup will give you insights into the courage exhibited by the Weber family, Arthur and Paula Schmidt, as well as the film’s creator. If these true-life individuals sheltered Jews from the watchful eyes of the Nazis, endured hardships together, and had the audacity to expose their story years later, UnBroken demonstrates that heroism manifests in various forms within ordinary people’s lives, illuminating its presence.
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2025-06-15 16:08