107-Year-Old Nazi Concentration Camp Survivor Comes to Encino for L.A. Film Premiere

The world's oldest known male Nazi concentration camp survivor, Leopold Engleitner, 107, will be at Encino's Laemmle Town Center 5 through Thursday, Nov. 15, for the Los Angeles premiere showings of the documentary Ladder in the Lions' Den.

The film documents Engleitner's journey as a conscientious objector and Jehovah's Witness imprisoned by the Nazis for his beliefs. He survived three concentration camps: Buchenwald, Niederhagen and Ravensbrueck.

Engleitner flew in from Austria and arrived in Encino on Friday, Nov. 9, with Frederic Fuss, the film's narrator and script editor, and the writer, Bernhard Ramerstorfer.

• Read Patch's interview with Frederic Fuss

Engleitner was feeling jet-lagged from the trip, his friends said, and wasn't able to answer questions on Friday, although he did pose for photographs with audience members. He has since has been talking to audiences and taking part in several Q&As at the theater, with the help of an interpreter.

As well as Ladder in the Lions' Den, Ramerstorfer has also written Unbroken Will, a book about Engleitner's time as a Jehovah's Witness and conscientious objector who refused to capitulate to Nazi orders. Ramerstorfer's latest book, Im Zeugenstand (which translates to "In the Witness Stand") collects the responses of several survivors of the Nazi concentration camps to 100 questions gathered from around the world.

Ladder in the Lions' Den, Laemmle Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Boulevard, Encino. 818-981-9811. Opens Friday, Nov. 9. For all showtimes, click here.

Engleitner is scheduled to attend screenings at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 9-Nov. 15, and at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10 and Sunday, Nov. 11.