Escape from Sobibor

Escape from Sobibor

Year: 1987

Runtime: 169 mins

Language: English

Director: Jack Gold

WarThrillerDrama

The true story of WWII’s notorious Sobibor Nazi death camp, where a courageous inmate orchestrates and leads the escape of over 300 prisoners.

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Timeline & Setting – Escape from Sobibor (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Escape from Sobibor (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1943

The events unfold during World War II at the Sobibor camp in 1943. The uprising occurs in October 1943, illustrating the brutal conditions and the danger faced by prisoners. The story ends with survivors continuing to face the consequences of the camp's crimes.

Location

Sobibor extermination camp, Sobibor, Poland

Sobibor was a Nazi death camp in occupied Poland where Jews were murdered. The film centers on a 1943 uprising where prisoners plan to lure and kill SS officers and escape. After the revolt, Sobibor was bulldozed and trees planted to erase its existence.

🗺️ Extermination camp ⚔️ World War II 🕯️ Holocaust memory

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:55

Main Characters – Escape from Sobibor (1987)

Meet the key characters of Escape from Sobibor (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Leon Feldhendler (Alan Arkin)

Leader among the prisoners, Feldhendler organizes the revolt plan. He analyzes the camp’s situation and advocates for a coordinated escape. His steady, pragmatic approach helps keep hope alive under extreme danger.

🗺️ Leadership 🧭 Planning 💪 Courage

Alexander 'Sasha' Pechersky (Rutger Hauer)

Leader of the Red Army prisoners who join the revolt, bringing military awareness and tactical thinking. He mobilizes others and helps execute the plan with decisive actions. His involvement elevates the scale and potential success of the uprising.

🗺️ Leadership 🧭 Strategy 🛡️ Courage

Naomi (Sara Sugarman)

A prisoner who endures the brutal conditions and bears witness to the events surrounding the uprising. She contributes to the morale and survival of fellow prisoners. Her perspective provides a human lens on the camp’s horrors.

🧭 Resilience 👥 Community 🪶 Hope

Luka (Joanna Pacula)

A female prisoner within the camp who experiences life under the guards and becomes part of the community driving resistance. She shows courage and determination in dangerous circumstances.

🗺️ Community 🧭 Courage 👥 Solidarity

Mundek (David Miller)

A seasoned prisoner who contributes to the logistics and execution of the plan. He provides practical know-how and supports fellow inmates through the perilous uprising.

🧭 Logistics 🗺️ Leadership 🕊️ Hope

Itzhak Lichtman (Jack Shepherd)

A senior prisoner who helps coordinate the escape plan and shares his experience with others. He remains composed and strategic amid chaos and danger.

🧭 Strategy 🗺️ Experience 🧡 Courage

Gustav Wagner (Hartmut Becker)

One of the camp's most sadistic SS officers, responsible for brutal acts and intimidation. His cruelty underscores the stakes of the revolt and heightens the prisoners’ resolve to overthrow their oppressors.

⚔️ Cruelty 😠 Power 🛡️ Oppression

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:55

Major Themes – Escape from Sobibor (1987)

Explore the central themes of Escape from Sobibor (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗺️ Resistance

A core thread is organized resistance against the Nazi regime. Prisoners from different backgrounds unite to challenge their captors. The plan requires discipline, sacrifice, and the willingness to risk everything for others.

🧭 Strategy

The uprising hinges on careful planning, deception, and timing. Leaders exploit routines and gaps in guard coverage to trap guards and gain the upper hand. The success depends on coordination and shared purpose among the prisoners.

🔥 Brutality

The film does not shy away from brutal acts and the constant threat of death. Prisoners face moral decisions about survival and sacrifice. The portrayal underscores the cruelty of the camp and the resilience of those who fight back.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:55

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about prisoner uprisings like Escape from Sobibor

Stories of meticulously planned rebellions against overwhelming, brutal authority.If you were captivated by the daring escape in Escape from Sobibor, find more movies like it. This collection features similar true stories and fictional thrillers about organized resistance, survival against the odds, and desperate rebellions within prisons, labor camps, and other brutal institutions.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a group of oppressed individuals who, faced with certain doom, shift from survival to active rebellion. The plot meticulously details the planning phase, fraught with paranoia and risk, building towards a violent, chaotic climax during the execution of the escape. The journey is defined by sacrifice, camaraderie under pressure, and a bittersweet victory tempered by loss.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a high-tension, claustrophobic mood, a steady pacing that builds to a explosive climax, and a central plot of organized resistance. They are united by themes of courage in the face of tyranny, the psychological toll of oppression, and the bittersweet nature of hard-won freedom.

Grim historical survival dramas like Escape from Sobibor

Sobering stories of enduring unimaginable hardship based on true events.For viewers seeking more heavy, fact-based war dramas like Escape from Sobibor. Discover movies with a similar feel: somber, intense stories about survival during the Holocaust and other genocides, focusing on courage, tragedy, and the grim reality of historical events.

sombergrimoppressiveanxiousheavyhistoricaltragiccourageous

Narrative Summary

These narratives are typically straightforward, following individuals or groups as they navigate a world defined by systematic cruelty and the imminent threat of death. The emotional journey is one of enduring loss and horror, with any victory or survival coming at a profound personal cost. The stories prioritize emotional authenticity over complex plotting.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared heavy emotional weight, grim and somber tone, and basis in real-world historical tragedies. They create a similarly intense, oppressive viewing experience focused on the themes of survival, moral courage, and the devastating impact of war crimes.

Unlock the Full Story of Escape from Sobibor

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Escape from Sobibor Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Escape from Sobibor, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Escape from Sobibor Summary

Escape from Sobibor Timeline

Track the full timeline of Escape from Sobibor with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Escape from Sobibor Timeline

Escape from Sobibor Spoiler-Free Summary

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Escape from Sobibor Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Escape from Sobibor

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Escape from Sobibor: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Escape from Sobibor

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