Top 10 Holocaust Biopic Films

Description: Based on William Styron's novel, this film explores the life of Sophie Zawistowska, a Polish immigrant in New York, whose past includes a heart-wrenching decision made in Auschwitz. Meryl Streep's performance is unforgettable.

Fact: Meryl Streep learned Polish for the role, and her performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Description: This Steven Spielberg masterpiece tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of over 1,000 Jewish refugees by employing them in his factories during World War II. It's a film that captures the essence of human compassion amidst unimaginable cruelty.

Fact: The film was shot in black and white to give it a documentary feel, and Spielberg refused to accept a salary for directing, stating that it would be inappropriate to profit from such a tragic story.

Description: This Italian film by Roberto Benigni uses humor as a shield against the horrors of a concentration camp, showing a father's attempt to protect his son from the reality of their situation.

Fact: Benigni won the Academy Award for Best Actor, and the film was also awarded Best Foreign Language Film.

Description: This film focuses on the Sonderkommando, Jewish prisoners forced to work in the gas chambers at Auschwitz, and their planned revolt. It's a gritty, intense look at the moral dilemmas faced by those in the camps.

Fact: The film was inspired by the book "Auschwitz: A Doctor's Eyewitness Account" by Miklos Nyiszli.

Description: Directed by Roman Polanski, this film follows the life of Władysław Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist who survived the Holocaust by hiding in the ruins of Warsaw. It's a haunting portrayal of survival through music and silence.

Fact: Polanski, himself a Holocaust survivor, drew from his own experiences to direct this film, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and three Academy Awards.

Description: Set during World War II, this film follows Liesel, a young girl living with foster parents in Nazi Germany, who finds solace in stealing books and sharing them with her neighbors, including a Jewish man hiding in their basement.

Fact: The film was adapted from Markus Zusak's best-selling novel, which was inspired by the stories of his own family during the war.

Description: This film tells the story of Bruno, the son of a Nazi commandant, who befriends Shmuel, a Jewish boy in a concentration camp. It's a tale of innocence and the stark contrast between childhood and the atrocities of war.

Fact: The film was adapted from John Boyne's novel, which was inspired by a visit to Auschwitz.

Description: This adaptation of Anne Frank's famous diary captures the two years she and her family spent in hiding from the Nazis. It's a poignant reminder of the innocence lost to war.

Fact: The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning three, including Best Supporting Actress for Shelley Winters.

Description: This TV movie tells the story of Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker who smuggled thousands of Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto, saving their lives.

Fact: The film was based on the play "Life in a Jar," which was inspired by the real-life story of Irena Sendler.

Description: Directed by Edward Zwick, this film recounts the true story of the Bielski partisans, a group of Jewish brothers who saved hundreds of Jews by hiding in the forests of Belarus.

Fact: Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber underwent extensive training to portray the survival skills needed in the forest.