Schindler's List [1993]

By employing Jews in his crockery factory manufacturing goods for the German army, Schindler ensures their survival against terrifying odds. At the same time, he must remain solvent with the help of a Jewish accountant (Ben Kingsley) and negotiate business with a vicious, obstinate Nazi commandant (Ralph Fiennes) who enjoys shooting Jews as target practice from the balcony of his villa overlooking a prison camp. Schindler's List gains much of its power not by trying to explain Schindler's motivations, but by dramatising the delicate diplomacy and determination with which he carried out his generous deeds. As a drinker and womaniser who thought nothing of associating with Nazis, Schindler was hardly a model of decency; the film is largely about his transformation in response to the horror around him. Spielberg doesn't flinch from that horror, and the result is a film that combines remarkable humanity with abhorrent inhumanity--a film that functions as a powerful history lesson and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the context of a living nightmare. --Jeff Shannon

THE Polish factory where Oskar Schindler protected more than 1,000 Jews from the Holocaust is being turned into a museum and art gallery.


Spielbergs finest moment   July 30, 2006
S J Buck (Kent, UK)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

In the list of major films that Spielberg has made this is the one above all others that everyone should see.
Its the true story of Oscar Schindler, a paid up member of the Nazi party who saved the lives of around 1,100 Jews in WW2.
Liam Neeson plays Schindler brilliantly, but the whole cast are excellent. It would be unfair to pick out any one person, such as Neeson, since for example Ralph Fiennes is also brilliant as a ruthless camp commandant. I've seen the film 3 or 4 times now and its one of the few films that has brought me close to tears, as true horror of the Holocaust is brought to life.

What Schindler did shows a side of humanity that most of us will never see. At great personal risk, because he realised that people were being slaughtered, he bribed Nazi officials and ensured in the process that his factory never produced anything useful for the Nazi's. Scene after haunting scene is left etched on your memory. Perhaps for me, where Schindler hoses down the people who are packed into the trains in unbearable heat sums up the whole movie for me. He needn't of helped them, they were going to die anyway, but he did. We all know about mans inhumanity to man, but here is a demonstration of one mans great humanity. So whilst the film is very sad and emotional on one level, because of Schindlers actions the film doesn't leave you in a state of manic depression at the end!

Its a fabulous movie and at 3hours and 7mins it is long, but you will never look at your watch, its that good.



A masterpiece but flawed all the same   December 30, 2006
Mezzanine (UK)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

I agree with almost everything that's been written but I did have a problem with the last few minutes (not the very Technicolor present-day ending, which was very moving) in Oskar's factory when the German guards were sent home as the war was over. There's a believability threshold that, for me, was crossed here - it was too convenient, too filmic, as near-endings can be. I felt the use of colour just for the little girl in red was highly symbolic, but when you watch the film a second time you feel it is not necessary. The message is powerful enough without being reminded of the film-maker's presence. If you haven't seen this, clear your evening, grab a handkerchief and be prepared for about 3 hours of pain, which despite my niggly criticisms is one of the most comprehensive and important films ever made.


Subtle, beautifully made and poignant   April 25, 2007
J. Roberts (Maryland)
14 out of 16 found this review helpful

This is as good a film as Steven Spielberg could ever hope to direct, following the efforts of it's central character, Oscar Schindler, to rescue as many jews from execution as he possibly could.

Schindler was a businessman, running several lucrative crockery and other hardware businesses. Realising the full extent of the persecution the jews are facing, Schindler exploits his position as a successful businessman to acquire hundreds of Jewish workers to work in his factories, sweet-talking various Nazis in the process.

What perhaps initially started as a fairly self-serving idea then progresses into an all-consuming mission to save more and more jews from the gas chambers.

Considering the subject matter, there are naturally a great many poignant and upsetting moments, which are always beautifully shot, usually subtle and always unflinchingly honest, without being gratuitous. Spielberg also always stops short of veering into schmaltzy territory, keeping to the point and developing the plot engagingly and rivetingly. Despite the film's considerable length, it never once feels drawn-out or tedious. In fact, it is gripping and compelling from beginning to end. And of course, the subject matter simply must be confronted by people of all ages and walks of life, in order to ensure that such things are never allowed to re-occur.

A whole plethora of dramatic techniques are in place to make 'Schindler's List' an epic and unforgettable cinematic experience, including a beautiful soundtrack, beautiful or atmospheric locations, immaculate characterisation, fantastic plot development, unwavering accuracy and very little typical 'Hollywood' cliche. There are also moments of true innovation, as is usually the case with Spielberg films, particularly when, in an otherwise black and white picture, a little girl can be seen walking through a chaotic street, her coat highlighted in red. Such images are haunting and completely authentic, working their way into the subconscious of the viewer and staying there long after the film has ended.

Then there is the stunning, career-defining performance of Liam Neeson, who plays Schindler to perfection. He is turns witty, dynamic, harsh, charismatic, charming, and as we eventually see, emotional. Every last word of dialogue is spoken with eloquence, utterly convincing. The script is utterly free of contrivance and Liam Neeson's entire performance is pristine, captivating. Towards the end of the film, the true power of his performance comes into effect, as the war draws to a close and he finally breaks down, weeping to the crowd of Jews he has saved from a horrible end.

And these are perhaps the most powerful concepts in the film; the highlighting of both the terrible treatment of the Jews, and Schindler's relentless attempts to save as many as possible. The ending of the film is an exercise in poignancy, and it will be a hard person indeed who does not feel tears forming in their eyes at the intense sadness of it all.

Suffice to say, 'Schindler's List' is a pure lesson in expert filmmaking, with Spielberg being an expert in his craft, and one of the few big name American film directors who consistently manages to dazzle again and again, without resorting to tired Hollywood cliches and overwhelming sentimentality. As a result of his expertise, 'Schindler's List' is one of the most superbly directed, beautifully shot films I have ever seen, and as close to perfect as I could imagine any film being.


Astonishing   September 15, 2006
Mark Grindell (Shipley,West Yorkshire)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

I only discovered that I was jewish very late in life. Mind you, I had been horrified by the holocaust when I was very young; perhaps far too much. But of course, no real identification within it all... It was also strange that in time, this was not so very long ago when I was born and yet was documented as though it was very old and far away.

Speilberg does us great service by, although shooting in black and white, making it seem very contemporary. It is about one man's terrible need to choose and his wonderful choice.

It makes no-one safe from the shock of what really happened. You can't watch without being utterly horrified. Knowing what it means to be jewish and the congruence with death is very present.[...]

The film greatly illuminates... and is a great achievement.