Schindler's List - Movie Review

Schindler’s List is set in the grim backdrop of holocaust – known well in the World War II when Germany was ruling over Poland. The event of the Holocaust progresses and Schindler acquires more concern with the lives of his Jewish employees and is willing to die to save workers.

The most identifiable theme in the movie is the theme of looking at the darker side of mankind and the contrasting hope and forgiveness. Despite its historical setting and a vile antagonist, the shade of hopelessness associated with the Jewish people against their oppressors – the Nazis is unusually dominant throughout the plot. Despair and hope are intertwined in ‘Schindler’s List,’ the best proof for which being the great performance by Liam Neeson, who plays Oskar Schindler. Ben Kingsley is a genius as Schindler’s Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern and his work cannot be ignored as it is simple and perfect. The changing portrayal of evil is also felt with Ralph Fiennes as Amon Goeth who made an impact as to how evil was during that time.

This movie is an excellent example of how Steven Spielberg directs a movie that is this sensitive and important. Through his technical focus on history, the movie continues to be a true account of the most devastating period in human history.

I like the tune composed by John Williams, it fits the movie’s mood to the core. The music used syncs with the sorrows and the perseverance seen and felt throughout this movie as the tunes are somber and memorable even after the movie ends.

The cinematography by Janusz Kamiński is perhaps one of the best masterstrokes infusing black-and-white scenery that makes the film look timeless and as if it were filmed like a documentary. It is also important to admit the usage of contrasts and shades that make the movie as dirge as the main theme of the War – Poland ’40. Every single set in Schindler’s List is a chilling reminder of the concentration camps – the dark confining space of the ghettos to the neatly, clinical barrenness of the concentration camps. In this aspect, the film is good because it has minimal sensationalism which makes it all the more realistic and serious compared to real events.

As for the editing, it flows smoothly, combining frightening scenes with the scenes of people’s perseverance, and the whole movie is divided into three parts with a total of three hours. This most careful construction guarantees that each shot yields a significant dramatic function.

THIS_slow movement is, in fact, quite appropriate, given that, despite Schindler’s List’s over three-hour long duration, it never lets the viewer’s attention drift. Spielberg manages to interweave leas of tension with a moments of contemplation, allowing viewers to become captivated by the film.

The scenes in Schindler’s List are memorizing, containing well-chosen dialogs which highlight the severity of events depicted. Discussions may be official or casual, official or personal, all of which add to the quality of the story.

Despite the historical and emotional accuracy, some people claim that a long time is needed to watch Schindler’s List. At the same time, this length is rather helpful in a penetration to the movie’s themes and characters.

When I watched Schindler’s List I was left with a profound impression. Basically it tells a classy and touching story of human suffering and kindness of helping each other at the worst of times. Spielberg’s masterpiece accumulative the terrific nonverbals in the story and six star performances, that is why it’s so important to watch.