Chronicles the Nazi persecution of the Jews of Lodz from German occupation beginning on Sept. 8, 1939 to liberation by the Russians on Jan. 17, 1945. Focuses on the forcible move of Jews into the ghetto, the harsh conditions within, deportation to Auschwitz, and the survival of the few Jews who remained behind and hid in the ghetto. Depicts the ghetto's Nazi-appointed Jewish leader, Mordecai H ayim Rumkowski. Utilizes historical film footage and still photographs, some contemporary footage, and narration from historical diaries and monographs.