Introduction

Defying the Nazis: Sharps’ War is a 2016 documentary film directed by Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky.

The film is about the untold story of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, an American minister and his wife from Wellesley, Massachusetts, who left their children behind in the care of their parish and boldly committed to a life-threatening mission in Europe.

Over two dangerous years they helped to save scores of imperilled Jews and refugees fleeing Nazi occupation across Europe.

Outline

When seventeen others turned down the Unitarian Association’s request for relief volunteers, Waitstill and Martha Sharp committed to the dangerous mission.

“Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War” is the story of their humanitarian work and the effect it had on their lives.

The Sharp’s left their two young children behind in Wellesley, Massachusetts and traveled to Czechoslovakia to aid refugees just as war was about to break out in Europe.

While abroad, they combated political and social legislation, breaking laws in order to get imperiled individuals exit visas. From involvement with black market, money laundering, to the clandestine transportation of refugees, the Sharps played a vital role in the rescue of Jews and dissidents from persecution.

The film features interviews with the refugees rescued as children, now adults, who were taken to America by Martha Sharp, and interviews with family members.

Film Inspiration

This documentary expands on the film that Artemis Joukowsky produced and directed in 2012 entitled Two Who Dared: The Sharps’ War.

One major addition was Tom Hanks as the voice actor for Waitstill Sharp.

Production & Filming Details

• Directors: Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky.
• Producers: Ken Burns, Florentina Media and No Limits Media (co-produced).
• Writers: Artemis Joukowsky and David Blitstein (story consultant).
• Editor: Erik Angra.
• Distributor: PBS.
• Release Date: 09 September 2016 (US).
• Running time: 78 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

YouTube Link