Schindler's List - 1993

Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment

Directed by Stephen Spielberg

Cast:

• Oskar Schindler – Liam Neeson
• Itzak Stern – Ben Kingsley
• Amon Goeth – Ralph Fiennes
• Emilie Schindler – Caroline Goodall
• Poldek Pfefferberg – Jonathan Sagall
• Helen Hirsch – Embeth Davidtz

Story: In 1939, Poland's army was defeated in two days by the Nazi forces. A man named Oskar Schindler leaves his home in Czechoslovakia to take advantage of what he knows will happen to the Jews. He endears himself to the senior officers in Krakow, and approaches Itzak Stern with an offer to allow the Jews to keep something of value in exchange for their backing him with money to purchase a factory. To curry their favor, he trades with Jews on the black market to send expensive items such as cognac, chocolate, caviar, and other gifts along with the order forms for his factory's output, enamelware and other cooking supplies for German troops. The Jews working in his factory are given work permits, and Itzak Stern is charged with making sure they know their jobs, whether they have training or not. During the course of the war, Schindler must make many deals under the table wit the Nazi's in order to keep his Jews from being sent on to concentration camps and death camps. In all, 1,100 Jews were saved by Schindler.

Review: This amazing story is, in my humble opinion, the epitome of Spielberg's work. To bring a story like this to the screen is nothing short of magnificent. It would be difficult to single out a particular actor for their contributions, since the film is so cohesive and unified. You are immediately drawn into the action, you are watching the events unfold as if you were there. Liam Neeson's performance as Schindler is dynamic and compelling. At first he appears the opportunist and war profiteer, but his growth through the film lets you feel his compassion. Ben Kingsley's quiet and steady demeanor throughout the film compliments Neeson's. Ralph Fiennes is the quintessential Nazi camp commandant, unhappy to be where he is, ruthless in his orders, and totally without compassion. He is a soulless man who cannot feel love or hate, simply disdain for the Jews, as if they were cattle. There are so many scenes in this film that speak to your soul, but perhaps the most important line in the film occurs near the end. “If you save one life, in time you save the world.” The violence and cruelty of the film make it unsuitable for those under 14, and between 14 and 17, I would use sound judgment. A definite collectors item, and if they haven't shown this to your teens in high school, they ought to. This is a reminder of the inhumanity man can reach if he has nothing to stop him.