Schindler’s List
★ ★★★★
Simply put, Schindler’s List is one of the most important films that we have today. Especially during these rampant times of conspiracy theories and extreme political rhetoric, this movie is an essential story to the world’s history. “Never forget,” is the term that has been associated with the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers, but it’s also the perfect slogan for this film. The Nazi’s reign through Western Europe was beyond horrific and the ability of Spielberg to compose a narrative film around those atrocities, while showcasing a shimmer of light, is outstanding. The violence and brutality that are displayed are necessary as to not sugarcoat what evil is capable of. But he has always known how to tell a story and he interweaves characters and their arcs in such a way that you become wrapped up in where the narrative is going. Which in turn, creates a heavy and visceral experience.
Schindler’s List focuses on a group of Jews in German-occupied Poland to showcase the different stages of atrocities that they went through during World War II. Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) is a war profiter who relies heavily on his Jewish workforce to earn his money. At first, he sees the Nazis as more of an obstacle as they continually meddle in the lives of his employees, but as the Nazis’ persecution grows, so does Schindler’s empathy.
I was amazed by how timeless this movie feels. This is, for sure, enhanced by the beautiful black and white cinematography. Schindler's List is a textbook come to life and enhances the historical weight of the story. I think that the blood, nudity and grime in color would be too much to take in. When color is introduced, in particular in the red dress of the young girl, it reminds you that you are witnessing things that happened in real life. It snaps you out of the crispness of the black and white to provide an emotional wallop.
I’m glad that Spielberg is not afraid to paint Schindler as a faulted man. It makes the payoff to his emotional decisions that more impactful. As people, we are all inherently selfish, and to see how Schindler’s motives transform over time proves that good can overcome any odds. Doing the right thing is harder than doing what is wrong, or even worse, doing nothing at all. It’s hard to see how little acts of kindness play in the bigger picture of things, and Schindler’s journey ultimately had generational impacts.
War is a complicated story to tell and Spielberg effectively uses minor characters and their memorable moments to explain this sprawling story. This movie’s relevance particularly hit me as the Ukraine war rages on. The displays of how politics and business intertwine during times of tragedy are almost as tough to watch as Amon Goeth’s (Ralph Fiennes) target practice. As politicians cozy up to one another with bribery and gifts, Spielberg hammers home how a name on a piece of a paper can become so crucial to many and so insignificant to others. “How can people constantly do this to other people?” is the question that constantly kept popping up in my head. Spielberg smartly doesn’t try to answer this question but shows that the best way to solve this issue is to act rather than ponder.
I’m not a hardened man. I can easily cry during an episode of Friday Night Lights, but Schindler’s List genuinely moved me to tears. I watched this film both in bewilderment and awe. I’m constantly saddened by the evil conquests of man, but also in awe of the power of film. It’s amazing what Spielberg accomplishes in this film. I can’t imagine how hard this movie was to make, both technically and emotionally. It serves as an important history lesson but also evokes change. I was both sorrowful and hopeful. I had seen this movie before, but I’ve never been more convinced that this should be required viewing for all people.
I give Schindler’s List five out of five candle flames.
