The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life

2013 0h 39m EN

👍

7.1

SOLID

★7.1TMDB · 25

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The story of Alice Herz-Sommer, a German-speaking Jewish pianist from Prague who was, at her death, the world's oldest Holocaust survivor. She discusses the importance of music, laughter, and how to have an optimistic outlook on life.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Alice Herz-Sommer
Self
Zdenka Fantlova
Self
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch
Self
Malcolm Clarke
Narrator (voice)

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Malcolm Clarke
Writers: Carl Freed, Malcolm Clarke
Languages: English
Countries: Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 39-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 13 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Directed by Malcolm Clarke, shot by Kieran Crilly. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Luc St. Pierre. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Carl Freed shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Alice Herz-Sommer and Zdenka Fantlova and Anita Lasker-Wallfisch carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Malcolm Clarke directs. Kieran Crilly behind the camera. Luc St. Pierre scores. Carl Freed cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 39-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released 13 years ago.
3International production across 3 countries: Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Directed by Malcolm Clarke, shot by Kieran Crilly. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Luc St. Pierre. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Carl Freed shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Alice Herz-Sommer and Zdenka Fantlova and Anita Lasker-Wallfisch carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt2924484 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 25 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Kieran Crilly
Original score: Luc St. Pierre
Editing: Carl Freed
Runtime: 39 min · 0h 39m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life (2013)

Awards

Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject)

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Malcolm Clarke

Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2026-02-14
★ 7/10
What is it about these survivors of the Holocaust that they always seem to come across as the most stoically forgiving of people. Despite the appalling and degrading treatment they received at the hands of the Nazis, and the daily apprehension surrounding their lives whilst many around them - including those they knew and loved - were beaten, starved, tortured or murdered, they steadfastly refuse to surrender their humanity to hate or rancour. At the ripe old age of 109, Alice Sommer-Herz lives in London and still regularly belts out some Bach or Chopin on the upright piano in her room. She’s perfectly coherent, energetic and celebratory of every day and her joie de vivre is remarkable. Though she is the central character in this enlightening documentary, it also features fellow survivors Anita Lasker-Wallfisch and Zdenka Fantlova and these two add different perspectives on their captivity and it’s aftermath that almost come over as controversial. They do all agree, though, that it was music that kept them from death. With plenty of accompaniment from this accomplished and really quite charming pianist, these three exude a lust for life that is ultimately their victory over the Mengele’s of a world whose contempt for humanity seems to have inspired these women rather than demoralised them. As Sommer-Herz says herself, life is very much for living and psychology is hugely important when approaching that task. Perhaps they just have efficient firewalls to block out the atrocities of their past, but their humble determination to make the most of things is inspirational to listen to. (PS. Mrs Wasker-Wallfisch is still going strong in “The Commandant’s Shadow” (2024) too).

Production companies