IMDb 6.8 2001 HD

The Zookeeper

The Zookeeper

2001
Drama War
108 min NR Czech Republic
6.5 / 10
6.8 IMDB

Jonah Ludovic is a custodian at a small municipal zoo. After a night of heavy shelling Ludovic arrives at his job to find the staff abandoning the zoo.…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Ralph Ziman / Roman Fara / Dagmar Císařovská / Eva Pítová
Starring
Sam Neill / Gina McKee / Ulrich Thomsen / Om Puri / Marek Vašut / Javor Loznica / Serdjan Simeonović / Arnošt Proschek

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

poignant resilient harrowing dedicated hopeful isolated thoughtful urgent somber understated ethical survival

Reviews

S
Sophia Patel
May 11, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'The Zookeeper' is a film that lingers, largely due to its potent theme and a commanding performance from Sam Neill. The narrative, which sees a custodian and a minimal crew protecting zoo animals after an evacuation, is a…

D
David Chen
May 11, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

The central conceit of 'The Zookeeper' is undeniably gripping: a handful of individuals left to maintain a zoo's survival post-conflict. Sam Neill is perfectly cast as the stoic custodian, his performance conveying a deep sense of obligation. The…

I
Isabelle Dubois
May 11, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'The Zookeeper' presents a compelling, if somewhat bleak, scenario. Sam Neill leads a small ensemble tasked with an almost impossible mission: safeguarding zoo animals after an attack forces staff to flee. The film’s tone is one of grim…

M
Marcus Thorne
May 11, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

In 'The Zookeeper,' Sam Neill delivers a performance of understated power as Jonah Ludovic, a custodian facing an unthinkable task. The film's strength lies in its potent, focused narrative: the desperate, almost sacred, duty of a few to…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 11, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Sam Neill anchors 'The Zookeeper' with his characteristic gravitas, portraying a man thrust into an extraordinary situation with quiet resolve. The film, set in a municipal zoo under siege, presents a stark premise: a skeleton crew's desperate attempt…

FAQs

At its core, 'The Zookeeper' seems to explore the profound sense of duty and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect vulnerable life. The film highlights the human capacity for compassion and resilience in the face of overwhelming circumstances, symbolised by the custodians’ efforts to safeguard the zoo’s inhabitants. It’s a testament to the idea that even when official support falters, individual commitment can make a vital difference.