Following In Felix's Footsteps: Story of an Holocaust Survivor
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- For five years, Felix Opatowski endured the horror of the Holocaust. When Felix found himself in Auschwitz, he dared to join a secret uprising whose goal was desperate: to blow up the infamous crematoriums.
Director: Steve Prankard
Cast : Felix Opatowski
My God. In all of my 46 years on this earth I have watched many different documentaries about many different things. Being Jewish, growing up and hearing stories from my grandparents, learning what most people learn over the years about the truths and the horrors of the holocaust, i always understood there was no way we could ever truly understand what they experienced, but at least we know about it to an extent. But nothing prepared me for what i would feel from watching this amazing man tell his story. This broke me down right to my core. I had to leave the room away from my wife and children, went to a separate room to watch from beginning to end, and absolutely lost it. Wept like a baby. This truly touches my soul. We can never possibly grasp the entire scope of what he and so many others endured. But i have a much better sense now than i ever did before. God Bless this man and every single one of those who survived this horror, and God bless all those who did not. Been a long time since anything has touched me so deeply.
The man didnt shed a tear through this entire thing. Maybe he already shed all he had long ago. What a beautiful life he gets to spend the rest of his days living now. He will never forget. We must not either.
Very well-said.
I would love to give this poor man a big hug and tell him how much we love him and feel for him. What a lovely man!
Feel the same
I am so sorry that this happened to you.
@@timconeby7862 that's real empathy.
Amen…Dear God, please be with this Good Man for ever and ever, for he has witnessed hell on earth and feels for all those who did not…And he has survived not only physically, but mentally…please care for him, for he really does speak for and in defence of all who suffered so terribly…What indeed a most perfect example of Goodness on Earth! Bless the Man! And forgive us All! And bless the spirit of Charles Coward the British officer prisoner of war.
@Donnell0303senki nem kérte tőled hogy szeresd, mert te nem is vagy alkalmas a szeretetre. Sajnállak
My grandpa escaped during the march of death. He walked back home he slept for 3 months straight. Ppl were just taking care of him and praying. He was the strongest yet most gentle person on earth.
♥️♥️♥️
I was in college with a Jewish girl whose father was in a concentration camp in Germany. Somehow he escaped and walked across Europe until he found the Allies. He weighed about 95 pounds and he suffered night mares for most of his nights when he came to the US. My friend said he refused to talk about his experiences, but they were woke up often at night by him.
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God bless your grandfather. When you said that he is a gentle man I think of my dad who is also. When I imagine him going through that, I can’t because it’s too horrific what loved ones had to bear witness too. Thank you for your post ❤
Thank you very much. My Father was a inmate at Muhlberg (Stalag IV-B). When the Russians Liberated the camp my Father was given food and water and told which way to walk to got "home" by a young Russian boy ,in uniform way to big for him. Father got "home" 3 years in Hospital he was very ill. Father got better....I'm here, and Father became a well know Doctor. Father never looked back on the war, He was a farm kid "doing my job I was needed for". Father is now pasted as most have from that time. WE MUST NEVER FORGHET ! THIS CAN NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. Please World pull your heads out of your behinds and look around you, people want to be free and not ruled over by Murdering's fools.
True- we must share the truth to those who have been told the Holocaust never happened.
@Aaron Pauwels ridiculous!!
@aaronpauwels3774 Oh Boy, I had to catch myself, I almost sunk to a level I believe is disrespectful in THIS THREADS comment section by replying directly to the vague yet still disrespectful direct response you chose to type right here to someone who has a very valid and legitimate comment. Shameful..
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human beings have the brains of wild creatures, which is how they evolved. they do not have the abilities needed for civilised society. genocides have continued even after the holocaust.
My stepfather lost his entire family on his first day, by the grace of God he survived,he told anyone that would listen to cherish family and why. Hearing about this horrific part of history from a survivor is heartbreaking
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Yeah sure, never a shortage of obvious liars ridiculous stories written in the comments. That never seems to change just more and more people seem to join in with pretend stories they were never a part of😂😂😂
@@ssherrierable Have several seats sir.
Write every word down. I’m sorry for his loss. But he needs to share for those that survived.
@@ssherrierablefn weirdo
He went through all that and stayed a beautiful human being.
What else could he do? I guess meeting his wife became his comfort in life All men that really loves theyr wife is on an other level of joy in life! That is how we are ment to live! Do to others as you hope they will do to you, and you will have peace in your mind.
Yes choose to be a beautiful human being and thank God for being good to you.
Only a german can create hell on earth
Thank you for telling your story. It is so important to remember. When history is forgotten or denied, history repeats. May it never be repeated. Yet even today, many of the same beliefs that led to such atrocities are unfortunately still with us. The retelling must still go on. This documentary is one way to keep this terrible part of history a part of the discussion.
Bless this man for sharing his story to honor those that were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. I will use this video in my classes each semester. May all their memories be a blessing.
My personal experience. This teacher in social studies showed us a film on this subject. I was quietly crying. Then someone said run the film backwards. See the stick man. They all laughed the teacher turned the lights on. She noticed me and didn't say anything. She said to the class to write a 1000 word report on it. I was the last one to leave before I did she said I didn't need to do it. I got an A on this report. So if you get only one person to understand. YOU HAVE SAVED THE WORLD.
Thank you, thank you very much for spending part of your time to recall your bitter memories, essential in such troubled times. I would like it to never happen again, let's fight for it!
how can anyone be so stupid as to think the holocost never happened get your head out the sand , and read the history, and look and see it's happening all over again yes Satan's at work all the time,in this world.
What a heartfelt sharing. Thank you so much for sharing! It is our duty to realize (through remembering) what we humans are capable off when being ruled by somebody inhuman...otherwise it's bound to happen again!!!
I absolutely cannot imagine how hard it would be to physically revisit these places. This guy is one of the toughest people I've ever seen. Hearing his story is so incredibly difficult. To be the one telling it would be unimaginable. Much respect and love.
I cannot even begin to imagine what that must have been like, to survive all that horror and then have to rebuild your life. God bless you Felix and may you and all the people who were lost during the Holocaust rest in eternal peace.
Are these poor people rest in peace. Rest in peace. And for those that survived be comforted, God bless your hearts. Be comforted!
As Felix said, it would be impossible to believe in a loving, merciful God to allow that.
The most love and respect to you, Felix. Thank you for telling us all this. On behalf of you and everyone who suffered through the holocaust, I will spread your message and I vow to stamp out fascism.
Guess you'll be starting in Israel? Good luck.
@@Johnconno very good.
Or Russia
The commandment "You shall not kill" ... exactly! It must be remembered eternally!
Thank you for telling your story. Everyone on utube needs to see this. Our world is so dangerous now. People need to Remember.
Thank you to all those that gave their lives for us… you will never be forgotten. This moved me even though years have passed since I visited and paid my respects at Auschwitz. Thank you Felix for articulating your life story so well. Bless you.
What a strong resilient man to be able to talk of the horrors he endured with such energy n at times even humor..." The best revenge is to live well".. this amazing individual seems to have not only survived but he thrived! I am in awe of this courageous gentleman!
Heart breakingly beautiful documentary. Felix….thank you for your bravery in telling your story with such grace and humor. ❤
Devastating… WHAT A STRONG, BRAVE MAN TO BE ABLE TO RELIVE THIS BY TELLING HIS STORY!
He passed away in 2017 at 98.❤️
May his memory be a blessing.
ulitmate revenge
Rest In Peace, Felix.
So much ❤
Even if he was not a beliver in God. God will take him into the heaven, as he made us and he knows that what he had gone thrue, and therefore maby was not able to belive. Jesus gave his life to save us, and I guess his life was worth more than a man can understand. Maby a mother loosing her child understands...
God bless all those beautiful innocent souls, and thank you sir, for reliving your scarring memories, thank you, take care x
Bless this amazing, kind, humble, beautiful man. After all of his suffering he can still bear witness.
One of the most incredible stories I have ever heard!!
This was THE BEST Documentary I have ever seen. Thank You for making it. Wow I'm in tears
I'm beyond words! How is it possible that Mr. Opatowski is so composed!
Thank you for sharing your story. They should be teaching about the Holocaust in schools. We must not give voice to the current generation of haters. God bless Felix and his family.
@Donnell0303what tragedy, never told, was actually worse than the holocaust?
My father told me. And we learnd all about it in school. Those days we had about it, it was totally quiet on the bus from school. It was 30 kilometers and noone said anything than "see you tomorrow". Our teacher had been there and seen the horror, and bearly survived.
@@markusmybusiness2141
Kmir Rouge were particularly vicious
Anyone that feels they need to complain about something needs to remind themselves of what this man has gone through. It will put everything into perspective
true nothing is tougher than facing a life and death situation
You seem like the kind of person who complains a lot
Very touching. My great grandmother and grandfather were there at the time. After she turned 90 years old she would have flashbacks of the war and she would take a broom and act like it was a machine gun thinking she was shooting our German neighbors with a machine gun. Our neighbors were never upset at this. They actually cried for what she went through to get this flashback and PTSD.
God bless her soul! And those like her! May her soul rest in peace. Forevermore! Poor darling!
Heartbreaking, the poor starving children
Très émouvant , merci Monsieur pour votre force et courage !! God bless you Sir
Thanks dear Felix and Regina for sharing your story of survival.
Hats off to your courage.
Wish you many more years of peaceful, happy life with your family and friends.
What a fantastic story I was blown away with the facts of what they had to endure I’m an ex Military Veteran of the RAF Regiment and know what it’s like to serve in a Campaign but Campaigns like this is an eye opener and I’m so glad that Felix and his wife are living the life they have always deserved God Bless Felix you are one Survivor of all time and was able to tell the story about the Evil People who Condemned your Religion and for this I applaud you !!👏 Best Wishes to Felix & his Family From Gary in Manchester UK
I m from india and it's morning 3:50Am and i m watching this documentary and i also read Viktor E frankl book recently book name was the men search for meaning he also a survivor of holocaust i totally recommend that book to all
I’m in the USA 🇺🇸 and I’m watching it now…I’m 62 in November 7th…I pray 🙏🏻 almost everyday for all the people who died during that time…It’s not their fault….It was an evil Marxist fanatic army that wanted control….but I would have been that person who would have survived it just to tell my story to the world that evil is real and stopping it before it can start…….blessings to the one who are at war now in their county, it’s has nothing to do with you but you are their control………..😒
Jio madd it all possible. I'm from India too and spent this year in studying holocaust material on TH-cam. An endless collection of videos and stories
Please India know...Our Blessed Virgin Mother Mary warned the Entire World in Fatima about the nazis and that Jesus would be here with us at that time when we risk Eternal damnation of our souls...He is here now watch and please say no to crime ...Watch Kitty Hart testimony 🇨🇦 ♥️
Yes I read the book and it got me through some very trying times.
Sir You are a good man,you live to keep the truth alive,people live threw you.
Thanks for sharing your story Felix, its so powerful and moved me to tears. Its something I've never been able to comprehend and your such an amazing man, I'm non Jewish and count myself as having no faith, thanks again
He seems like he's got a great sense of humor. Very strong soul.
You never know what you can survive until you have no choice.
I truly enjoyed hearing his story.
This just breaks my heart the horrific things that should have never happen 😢Rip to all that have past on 😢🙏
I know it's all so awful, but the one thing that really gets me is when survivors talk about the moment in which their family members were taken from them forever. How did they find the courage and strength to go on in a camp after their family members were marched away to die? I would lose all hope of ever being happy again and just give up. These people are truly survivors, and for them to share their stories must be incredibly painful, but they are so brave to do so and remind us all about the price of inhumanity. My heart breaks for these people who lost their loved ones and endured this hell, please let us be better and more loving people.
You said it all …and so well.
Most of the time they kind of knew but they didn't know for sure. They could dream that maybe they were sent to work at a factory or escaped. The simple fact that nothing was confirmed allowed them to hold onto the small chance that they would see them again.
I like to think of it like the faith of the mustard seed.
I can imagine that when you are in a situation like this, -you are so afraid that you do not deare to cry as you know some of the DEVILS vill see you and than you will die! And talking about it later is so terryfying that you still do no dear to cry! When it is so HORRIBLE as this you want to dissapear into your inner and hide.
You really can not be something until you are NOTHING.
This man is as tough as nails, and yet is humble enough to say “I was just darn lucky to have survived, and that is the bottom line.”
IF FELIX WAS ONE OF THOSE POOR MEN BEING LIBERATED IN 1945 WHOM I MUST HAVE SEEN 200 TIMES, WE HERE IN CANADA ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE SURVIVORS LIKE HIM BLESSING OUR COUNTRY WITH THEIR MEMORIES!!
My mother born in ausschwitz.very tragic story.
I'd love to hug this man and tell him how grateful I am that he's still alive today. He also moved to Canada and became a Canadian citizen. I think that's awesome.
I just want to hug these survivors and say how sorry I am for what they suffered to endure. I would rather meet one of them than any famous person on the planet.
Jesus said he is coming back to renew all things and the follower's of Christ will be in Paradise forever .God bless the chosen one's.
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3 of the 4 stories I seen today are still alive, this is my 5 th video so far today, I feel History is repeating itself with different tactics.
It’s unbelievable that he is talking like it happened yesterday. It was so traumatic that it’s embedded in his memory, his soul
Things like that NEVER disapears! And as he is a human beeing it will not leave his mind until God frees him! If you really sees the film with no distraktions you should know why.
This old man is the toughest man I have ever seen.
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My ex-in-laws escaped during the march. They’ve both passed on now. May they, and all the others Rest In Peace.
Many died, I’m glad this man survived with others to explain what can happen if the world forgets how evil works. There should be a monthly reminder so the world will not forget. So many lives.
World leaders should be made to see documentaries like this.
Bless you Felix for your courage,will power and drive. Love your attitude,dry humor and all round approch to dealing with and sharing your experiances. Thank you ,sir.
God Bless you sir. My heart and prayers are with you and your family forever!!! 😢💔😢💔😢💔
My father was in Ghetto Riga and Concentration camp Kaiserwald. In Ghetto he met an Austrian girl Germans transported Austrian Jews to Ghetto Riga it was a young love but she did not survive. My father finished vocational school in woodworking and furniture making so Germans needed him when they made selections every 10th will die his supervisor would save him and instead someone else went.All his life he was suffering from feelings of guilt.His mother young brother and sister perished in Rumbala but my father his other brother and my grandpa were saved by Latvian Zanis Lipke after the war my father became an architect and took part in designing memorial for people who were killed by the Nazis and their Latvian collaborators in Rumbala forest near Riga. I don’t think he ever left the Ghetto he survived but it always followed him in his life after the war.
I'm so thankful to this gentleman and the fact this account has been documented. Many who survived this atrocity are not here with us anymore. These events should never be forgotten. Rip the innocent souls that were taken.
I’m not Jewish, but I’m crying for this awful time in history. How could they??
Try not to cry over TH-cam videos and get ahold of yourself. Thanks :)
children everywhere must be taught about this war and all wars.we must stop powers like this and only fight for freedom and what is good for all people
@Donnell Okafor for instance?
@@corrado9683 donnel is a troll commenting the same thing under any post
@Donnell Okafor …..There were tragedies that went on far longer, like slavery. Where they were beaten and raped. So I understand what you’re saying, but at least the slaves were expensive property. These people threw live babies into fire or slammed them against stuff to kill em. That’s the major difference. Slaves were worth something. The Jews were worthless and hated. And I’m not from one of those groups. Just my observation. It’s all unbelievably horrible.
Such a handsome man…sweet and kind hearted. His eyes are full of memories good and bad. It’s heartbreaking to hear his story.
Heartbreaking yes indeed!
If you don't learn from history then you are doomed to repeat it.
This is the most powerful statement given by a survivor I have ever seen.
thank you for sharing your story this is so important no one can never forget what happened to so many people may they rest now in peace
Words escape me, nothing but sorrow. NEVER FORGET.
Thank you for sharing this and in such detail so we can really and truly understand . I’m sorry you went through this
Thanks Felix ❤ And thanks to those for all of your hard work that made this documentary available for us to see. It pulls hard at the heart strings. Felix, I'm sure has provided many with inspiration and hope by sharing survivor story in the many of ways that he has over these years. I pray that God reveals Himself to him and his wife so can gain their Salvation through His Blessed Son Jesus before they leave this world. I also pray that his and his wife's home was saved during the brush fires that's been burning in Canada for a month now. I live here in WV and the smoke has reached here as of yesterday and it's so bad people are being asked to stay in their homes and not to go out if they can help it. Felix, Big hugs to you. You truly are a HERO. ❤
May the Lord bless all of you veteran so need of God. Protect you from the smoke and Fire! We all find Salvation and the name of our One and Only Living God Jesus! One God! Three offices. Not persons. Wind God from the beginning to the end of the Bible declares one God!
Thank you for your story. Best wishes for you and your family.
What a beautiful man, May God bless you sir and your family and your people. Happy Hanukkah
I am so thankful that Felix lived thru this very bad time in his life Blessings to you!A very brave man.This was so heartbreaking
God bless Felix! My heart really hurts for everyone who died and the atrocities they suffered! Bless all the souls who perished during the Holocaust!
It looks like he passed away in Jan of 2017. RIP Felix.
Thanks again for this memory. We can never forget these heroes. And their suffering
When you see film of old people and children barely able to walk starving and been beaten you question everything humans stand for ...😪
That was just when they came in the camp.
Once their all children under 16 and mothers were transported to the gasschambers
At the liberation they only found kids stuff but didnt see any they were all killed.
What a gentleman, bless you
Bless your soul you courageous, magnificent, awesome man!
My heart. God bless these survivors and rest in peace to people who passed. Shocking
Very moving. I just prayed for all these innocent victims. God bless them! It‘s unbelievable, incredible and nevertheless true! And the sad thing: it can still happen …
It's very hard to watch the black and white video of those evil monsters hitting people and children with those whips. It's very infuriating that so many people saw this and did nothing at all. It's just hard 2 imagine watching this horror unfold and not hurt or move u to help. It's absolutely absurd that these evil monsters have the audacity to make a law against a religion or by what the persons look like. That should have never ever been given any thought or consideration. For hilter and his followers to have those unrealistic beliefs. They outta be very ashamed to be men and fought in world war 1. Then to come home and blame everything and what has happened on the jews. What a clown. Less of a man. More like bats out of hell. Monsters. Fools. And most of all a disgrace. May all the victims and survivors and living family members. May u find peace, love, and happiness. I'm so so very sorry that this happened. I'm so so so sorry for the people that allowed this 2 happen. I'm so so sorry not everybody helped when it was dire and needed. I'm so sorry that the Americans where I'm from didn't help when they should have. Eventually they did but what good was it when so much evil, pain, terror, have been done. So many innocent, helpless, lives taken.
😊 Hitler was mentally ill, but had the power of oratory & strategy to convince the majority of the German people to follow him and pledge loyalty to his horrific actions.
Thank you. I couldn't imagine how hard this was you to do this. I know you have passed now I also the photographer took a picture of my family. The 17 year old boy in the bottom bunk. My family. Guess it runs in the family huh. Thank you. Xxx
Omg, I'm in tears watching this and listening to Felix, thank you so much for sharing your life story with us. I don't think I fully understood what you and your people went through till now. On my I'm in Nova Scotia Canada. Thank you again for your story. 😢❤
I would love to hug you Felix. What impresses me about you is that I don't feel anything but love coming from you. Not one ounce of hate. May you be blessed the rest of your days.
Amen.
I hope this sad story will not be repeated, and the world will be at peace
Never forget ! Bless their souls !
What an amazing man, very humbling to listen to his story, these documentaries are very important for the future so that people don’t make the same mistakes again……hopefully 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you
Shalom and peace to everyone
YOU ALL ARE HELPING US TODAY TO SURVIVE IN CANADA HELPING OUR CHILDREN TO BE TOUGHER AND RISE UP THANK YOUUUU ❤️
@Donnell Okafor because you've not suffered like we have and like our children have and we don't wish it on no one 💞 ♥️
@@deoneforpeace I know exactly what you are talking about. Hope the new revisions to the Euthanasia bill won’t be passed through the Senate but I fear our institutions have become compromised
@@tnsf2896 I KNOW!!!....I think the World is listening to our warning....THANK YOUUUU SO MUCH 💞 ♥️
Sending so much love to Felix and all the holocaust survivors. Never forget.
Also, never forget to be kind and helpful to your fellow human being!
Thank you for telling your story
Your spirit, your strength to move forward and have a new life is amazing.from Oregon.
Very touchy & emotional.....A survivor story that is unforgettable in the life of Felix....God Blesse him with good health & strength......😪😪
This man didn’t die after all of that.. he’s is amazing inside and out 💚
What a touching documentary
Felix you survived to tell the whole WORLD it can never ever forget xxxx As a Human being I am so so very Sorry.
Thank you dear sir for sharing.
Unbelievable what this kind gentleman went through & SURVIVED!
Love & RESPECT to you, Dear SIR!
It’s amazing to see Felix who’s gone through he’ll be such an amazing man. Bless him. What sickens me is we now have sick people who say it never happened. My family thank G-d were all in America by the time WWII happened or I may not be here
What's crazy is that every jew alive after 1945 is an holocaust survivor, even if he was living in South America or Australia....
Az aki ezt a mérhetetlen szenvedést, megaláztatást nem élte meg annak fogalma sem lehet erről az egészről. Ez az időszak az emberiség történetének kitörölhetetlen szégyenfoltja. Csak azt sajnálom hogy a sok sok elkövető megúszta büntetlenül. Részvétem minden áldozatért akik ilyen és hasonló helyen lelték halálukat. Egy Magyar keresztény.
Love and peace to Felix and his family.🍁🔯
Great documentary
15:58 I can’t picture… as a mom of two boys. We are so close. Most times, we’re all each other has. I don’t think I could survive this. Being torn from them… not knowing what will become of my babies. My heart just bleeds. My God ❤
Felix you are proof that the soul can never be exterminated. I am astounded by this man’s story, compassion, strength and insight. The Nazi’s tried to take your clothes, homes, dignity, mothers, fathers, children…but they could never take away you’re spirit. I pray and believe that those poor people who were ruthlessly murdered came into the presence of God immediately. I’m sorry Felix didn’t believe in God but I do.
Man is capable of such evil and such goodness. This is proof that man has a choice. THIS SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!
God bless all those who perished and survived.
🙏❤️.x
Thank you so much for sharing 😢❤
Sad but yet beautiful
This video was heartbreaking at time's it boiled my blood with anger, in all it was an eye opener, I currently pray for my brother's and sister's in Christ 😇🌿🌹
Felix what a brave man you are. I am sure God was with you...GOD bless you and your soul and spirit.