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Films on the to-do list

  • Armageddon Time
  • Black Widow
  • Chimes at Midnight
  • The Killing of a Sacred Deer
  • Last Christmas
  • Remember Sunday
  • Shazam! 2
  • Thor: Love and Thunder
  • Spy Guys

Schindler’s List (1993)

Film review: Schindler’s List (1993), directed by Steven Spielberg

Businessman Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) wants to make money, and one way to do so is to get a bunch of rich Jews to invest in his business proposition – and because they aren’t allowed to own anything it will be in his name. He can even hire Jews as cheap labour in the factory!

His Jewish accountant, Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley), is keen to help as many as he can, but at the beginning all Schindler is interested in is making money. As time – and the war – progresses, he starts to change his mind, and also wants to help as many Jews as he can.

Also starring Ralph Fiennes as Amon Goeth, Caroline Goodall as Emilie Schindler, and Embeth Davidtz as Helen Hirsch, et al.

Schindler’s List occupies the lofty 7th position on the IMDb Top 250. Not because it’s a very long film (195 minutes, or 3 hours 15 minutes), but because it’s a very good film. So the black and white is a bit arty, but I think it’s a good call, because it really works – particularly when Schindler notices the red coat of a little girl in the ghetto. A film isn’t automatically bad because it’s monochromatic, come on.

It seems as if all Oskar Schindler was interested in initially was the money but the red coat scene is a turning point. From then on he really works to help people, at both great risk and monetary cost for himself. If the real person was as agreeable as Liam Neeson’s version I’ve no idea.

If you’ve ever wondered why Ralph Fiennes was cast as You-know-who in the Harry Potter films, you won’t be wondering after seeing this film. Goeth is a nasty piece of work. He’s a  “shooting people for fun from his balcony” kind of person, which sends shivers down my spine. In October 2013, there was a BBC news report about a German woman who discovered her grandfather was a prominent Nazi, namely Amon Goeth. I can hardly even begin to imagine the shock that was to her. It’s an article well worth reading.

The film ends in colour, in our modern day (well, early 1990s), with holocaust survivors and the actors that played them visiting the real Schindler’s grave. It puts thing into perspective somehow, and is a nice tribute. Because of him people lived, and continue to live, as they had the chance to have children.

While this is a great film, I would put out a warning there for fellow HSPs, or indeed anyone who’s highly empathic (empathetic?), Schindler’s List a very difficult film to watch, but then what Holocaust film isn’t? Bring some kitchen roll or a box of tissues if you sit down to watch this. Tears will roll, but it will be worth it.

5 out of 5 pots and pans.

Traxy

An easily distracted and over-excited introvert who never learns to go to bed at a reasonable time. Enjoys traveling (when there's not a plague on), and taking photos of European architecture. Cares for cats, good coffee and Boardwalk Empire. A child of her time, she did media studies in school and still can't decide what she wants to be when she grows up.

4 thoughts on “Schindler’s List (1993)

  1. Such a brilliant film, although I agree – tough to watch in parts. The book (Schindler’s Ark) is also AMAZING. I think they did a wonderful job adapting it into a film.

  2. Oh, meant to say as well…the girl in the red coat in the film – that was based on a real incident, which is in the book. There’s also lots about the real Oskar Schindler – he was such a brave and determined man. The book is classed as fiction, because some of the conversations that take place are imagined – they happened, but obviously the author didn’t know exactly was said in them – but it does tell the true story, and explains what happened to the Schindlers after WWII as well. I’ve rambled on a bit, because I do love both the book and the film. 😮

    1. No worries, Ruth! I was wondering if it’s based on a book or just written as a film, so thanks for the “ramblings”! They were very informative. 🙂

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