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'The Tattooist of Auschwitz': How Lale Sokolov's assistance Leon became his source of strength during Holocaust horrors

'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' stars Harvey Keitel, Melanie Lynskey, Jonah Hauer-King, and Anna Próchniak in pivotal roles

For Graphic Content: Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz', which is based on the book of the same name by Heather Morris, has officially dropped on Peacock.

The series revolves around the love story between Lale Sokolov (Harvey Keitel), a Jewish prisoner, and Gita Furman (Anna Próchniak), another prisoner, whom Lale meets while tattooing identification numbers on fellow prisoners' arms. 

Despite the harsh conditions and constant threat of death at the camp, Lale forms deep connections with fellow prisoners, including a young man named Leon (Phénix Brossard). However, Leon's fate takes a dark turn when he is singled out by the SS for experimentation.

Was there actually a person named Leon at Auschwitz-Birkenau? Let's delve into who Leon truly was.

The true story of Lale Sokolov's trusted assistant Leon

'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' is based on the true story of Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew who survived the horrors of Auschwitz. Lale's story was shared with author Heather Morris, who transformed it into a novel. 

Within the pages of the book, Lale recounts his close connections with several individuals, including one referred to as Leon, who became like a brother to him amid the atrocities of the camp. Lale and Leon found comfort and strength in each other's companionship amidst the unimaginable suffering of Auschwitz, forging a profound bond.

Although Leon's full name remains undisclosed in the book, it suggests that, like many others, he fell victim to the unlawful and fatal experiments carried out by Nazi officers.

In reality, Auschwitz-Birkenau was overseen by Josef Mengele, infamous as the 'Angel of Death'. Upon arrival at the camp, Mengele selected physically capable adults for forced labor while condemning others, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, to the gas chambers for immediate execution.

What happened to Leon?

In the series, Leon's fate took a dark turn when Dr. Schumann, a Nazi doctor, noticed him humming a tune while tattooing patients at the camp. His interest in Leon ultimately led to dire consequences for the young man. In an inhumane act, Dr. Schumann castrated Leon, inflicting irreversible physical and psychological damage.

However, in the book, Leon was taken away from Auschwitz. One day, Lale received news from a guard named Stefan Bartezki that Leon was no longer at Auschwitz, but no further details or explanations were provided.

Lale believed that his friend was likely dead, as he never received any further information about Leon's whereabouts or fate.

How to stream 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz'?

'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' is exclusively available for streaming on Peacock. 

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'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' trailer