Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland (2002)

Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland (2002) poster

In the summer of 2001, 75-year-old Mathi Schenk made his last trip to Poland, following in the footsteps of his own past. He lives in the eastern cantons of Belgium, which were forcibly united with the German Reich after the invasion of German troops in May 1940. Those who did not volunteer for the Wehrmacht were – like Mathi Schenk – sent to war as forced soldiers for Germany. When the Warsaw Uprising broke out in August 1944, the 18-year-old arrived in the Polish capital and was assigned to the notorious SS Dirlewanger Brigade. During the 63 days of bitter fighting, which cost the lives of more than 200,000 Poles, he witnessed unimaginable atrocities against the people of Warsaw. While fleeing the Red Army, Polish farmers found the young soldier wounded in a ditch. Despite his German uniform, they hid him from the Russians in their village.

Director: Dietrich Schubert
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 80 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Cinematography: Wilfried Kaute
Editing: Ingrid Terheggen, Dietrich Schubert
Language: Deutsch
Original Language: en

Keywords

holocaust (shoah), nazi germany

More Films by Director: Dietrich Schubert
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland about?
In the summer of 2001, 75-year-old Mathi Schenk made his last trip to Poland, following in the footsteps of his own past. He lives in the eastern cantons of Belgium, which were forcibly united with the German Reich after the invasion of German troops in May 1940. Those who did not volunteer for the Wehrmacht were – like Mathi Schenk – sent to war as forced soldiers for Germany. When the Warsaw Uprising broke out in August 1944, the 18-year-old arrived in the Polish capital and was assigned to the notorious SS Dirlewanger Brigade. During the 63 days of bitter fighting, which cost the lives of more than 200,000 Poles, he witnessed unimaginable atrocities against the people of Warsaw. While fleeing the Red Army, Polish farmers found the young soldier wounded in a ditch. Despite his German uniform, they hid him from the Russians in their village.
Who directed Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland?
Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland was directed by Dietrich Schubert.
Who stars in Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland?
Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland stars Matthias Schenk, Dietrich Schubert, Günter Kemper, Wolfgang Rüter.
How long is Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland?
Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland has a runtime of 1h 20m (80 minutes).
What genre is Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland?
Mathi Schenk's Last Journey to Poland is a Documentary film.