Joe Engel’s (84009) – “To Auschwitz and Back: The Joe Engel Story” tells a story of persecution and one man’s inner-strength, fortitude and daring escape from internment in Nazi Germany. Joe’s determination to survive has resulted in him becoming a treasured citizen, community leader, teacher and philanthropist in America.
Born in Zakroczym, Poland in 1927, Joe Engel was taken by the Nazis at 14 and never saw his parents again. He is the embodiment of living history and spends his retirement years ensuring the Holocaust is never forgotten.
From the overwhelming despair of the Warsaw Ghetto, to the shroud of unceasing death and suffering that was Birkenau and Auschwitz, Joe then takes you through his escape from a Death Train at 17 and covert work as a freedom fighter until Liberation in 1945.
Joe’s is a vivid journey to hell and back; enriched by an incredible and personal approach to storytelling. His number tattoo may have faded over time, but his passion for life and his story continues today.
With the assistance of “The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s film and photographic archives”, filmmaker Ron Small (Circle Unbroken, Medals of World War II) has successfully weaved Joe Engel’s incredible storytelling into a riveting visual presentation that is both historic and contemporary. With an unwavering will to live, Joe Engel overcame unimaginable horrors, earned his freedom through a daring escape, and fought to free others. He currently resides in Charleston, S.C.
Many people can tell a story. Very few can compel you to listen. Joe Engel, at 90 years of age, knows how to tell his story. His life is a story of faith, renewal, inner-strength and redemption. He is a charming storyteller who hopes that people will listen and learn and most of all… “never forget”.
IN HOME/Personal use copies of the DVD are available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Hnu8Qn. If you prefer to stream or download the film digitally, it is available for viewing at https://amzn.to/2P6I5Xh
REVIEWS:
“TO AUSCHWITZ AND BACK: The Joe Engel Story is a story told exactly as it happened to a very young man in 1927 Poland. Joe tells it with such memorable detail that I could not help but soak in every word he said.” – Movie Maven
“Five Star Film!! We need more Joes in this world today! Have a longer and happier life Joe as your remarkable story will never be forgotten.” – St. Bernard Voice
“It would fit neatly alongside Schindler’s List or Shoah on any shelf reserved for films on the subject… Small has created a 47-minute film that weaves oral history with archival material in the service of a documentary that is as painfully graphic as any I’ve seen. Still, it’s Engel’s spirit that triumphs over evil here. I won’t be surprised if someone in Hollywood attempts to expand To Auschwitz and Back into something a bit more theatrical. It couldn’t possibly be more dramatic.” – Movie City News
“The combination of words and pictures creates a nightmare world in our minds, one which is too horrible to contemplate as Engel’s unfaltering narrative builds with the intensity of a suspenseful thriller. To this end, TO AUSCHWITZ & BACK: THE JOE ENGEL STORY is a most irreplaceable record of this man’s passage through a literal Hell and his miraculous survival to tell the tale. The presentation is admirably low-key and subtle, eliciting a sudden surge of emotion at the end which was both unexpected and exceedingly well-earned.” – HK Film News