Schindler's List (1993)
Raiting: 
9 /10
Genre: War
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley
Country: United States
Release date: 15 December 1993
Length: 195 minutes
"Schindler's List," directed by Steven Spielberg, is a profound and harrowing depiction of the Holocaust, based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved the lives of more than a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees during World War II. The film is shot predominantly in black and white, which adds a stark, documentary-like realism to the narrative.
The story begins with the German occupation of Poland in 1939 and the forced relocation of Jewish residents to the Krakow Ghetto. Oskar Schindler, played by Liam Neeson, arrives in the city, looking to make a fortune from the war. He is a member of the Nazi Party, using his connections to acquire a factory for the production of enamelware, staffing it with Jewish laborers to save on costs. Schindler, initially indifferent to the plight of his workers, is more focused on his own profit and enjoys the lavish lifestyle his success affords.
As the brutality of the Nazis becomes more apparent, and the mass murder of Jews begins, Schindler's perspective shifts due to the influence of his Jewish accountant, Itzhak Stern, portrayed by Ben Kingsley, and witnessing the horrific violence perpetrated by the SS, particularly by the camp commandant Amon Göth, chillingly played by Ralph Fiennes. Schindler's transformation is gradual, as he comes to realize the human cost of the war and the value of the lives he has the power to save.
The film's climax centers on Schindler's efforts to protect his workers from being sent to concentration camps. He compiles a list—Schindler's List—of over a thousand Jews to be transferred to his new factory in Czechoslovakia, away from the death camps. This act of incredible courage and humanity ensures the survival of these men, women, and children, who are deemed "essential" to the war effort, thus sparing them from certain death.
"Schindler's List" concludes with the end of the war and Schindler's escape, as he is now seen as a war criminal for his actions. In a powerful final scene, the Schindlerjuden—those saved by Schindler—and their descendants, now in the present day, visit his grave in Jerusalem, paying tribute to the man who saved their lives. The film is a testament to the human capacity for good, even in the darkest of times, and serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.
Top cast - Schindler's List (1993)
Trailer - Schindler's List (1993)
Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List" stands as one of the most significant films ever made about the Holocaust. This cinematic masterpiece, based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, is a powerful and unflinching examination of the depths of human cruelty and the redemptive power of courage and compassion. The decision to shoot the film in black and white lends an almost unbearable authenticity to the events depicted, making the audience feel as if they are witnessing history firsthand rather than watching a movie.
Liam Neeson delivers a career-defining performance as Schindler, a man of complex morality whose transformation from a profit-driven opportunist to a savior of more than a thousand Jews is portrayed with nuance and depth. Ben Kingsley, as Schindler's Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern, provides a quiet strength and dignity that serves as the moral compass of the film. Ralph Fiennes is terrifyingly convincing as the sadistic Nazi commandant Amon Göth, creating a character that embodies the banality of evil.
The narrative is crafted with meticulous attention to historical detail and emotional truth, never shying away from the harrowing realities of the Holocaust. Spielberg's direction is both restrained and evocative, using a documentary style that immerses the viewer in the period. John Williams' haunting score, particularly the violin solos performed by Itzhak Perlman, adds an additional layer of emotional resonance to the film, capturing the sorrow, the fear, and ultimately, the faint glimmer of hope.
One of the most poignant aspects of "Schindler's List" is its ability to humanize the statistics of the Holocaust, giving a face and a story to the victims and survivors. The film's climax, featuring the actual survivors alongside the actors who portrayed them, bridges the gap between past and present, reminding us that the events on screen are not just dramatizations but real experiences lived by real people.
"Schindler's List" is not just a film; it is an important historical document, a moral inquiry, and a call to never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust. It is a film that challenges its viewers, educates them, and moves them to tears. Spielberg's achievement is a timeless reminder of the power of cinema to bear witness to the best and worst of humanity. This film remains an essential viewing experience, as relevant today as it was upon its release.