How a corrupt man is humanised by a man deemed to be sub-human.

Rating: 10/10 (25 April 2004)

---minor spoilers within---
It is amazing to believe that in 1993 Steven Spielberg was responsible for creating two of the most influential films of the last number of decades. With great aplomb he produced 'Jurassic Park' - a film reflecting the calibre of his imagination and the potential of Computer Generated Imagery in order to enhance the realism of film. 'Schindler's List' on the other hand was never intended to be a show-case for imagination and new technologies. In fact, it strives to demonstrate the suffering caused by both of these factors when they are within the grasp of 'the wrong hands.'
Imagination and the ability to generate differences that do not exist is a core-factor that has led from one attempted genocide to another. During the Second World War and the occupation of Europe it became clear that fictional differences were driving the operation to eliminate the Jewish people. The second factor, technology allowed mass-movement of the state's victims and their extermination - mechanisms lubricated by the contemporary propaganda of radio, film, rallies and posters.
This film is about two men, not one, who stood against the grain of the Nazi propaganda machine and eventually set their differences aside. These men were Oskar Schindler and Itzhak Stern - a Nazi party official and an accountant. Within this iconic piece of film their relationship is strengthened through functionality and trust.
Oskar Schindler is introduced as a reserved, womanising, money-wielding and disloyal industrialist. He wines and dines those in high positions, throwing lavish parties (whilst people die at his feet in the ghettos) in order to acquire future business contacts and 'friends in high places.' The prime concern in his life is his wealth and profit. His early opinions are summarised by his quote: "now I see, in the past my businesses have failed as there was no war." Over the years however, Oskar grows to love the Jewish people working in his industrial factory knowing that he and only he has the power and contacts to save them.
Itzhak Stern was the Jewish accountant employed by Schindler to operate the economic necessities of the factory, he was responsible for the employment of the Jews - insisting that they would save money and could be swiftly trained to operate the machinery. Stern was the modest protector of his people, and frequently hires those who would not last in the harsh conditions outside the factory.
Stern leads to one of the most joyful and sorrowful moments of the film - the hiring of an old, one-armed man as a machine-operator insistent on thanking Mr Schindler personally. "Of what use is a one-armed worker?" cried Schindler "he has valuable skills" replied Stern - "he's a metal press operator." "Very skilled." This in itself was amusing, but I cried when Schindler himself uses Stern's reply to defend the worker when quizzed by a Nazi Official. Schindler was touched by Stern and the honest of his people, his slow change of outlook became evident as the film progressed.
The film itself is magnificently well paced allowing timely plot and character development under various settings and scenarios. The black and white footage with the selective hint of colour allows the viewers to look on this dreadful event without distraction or confusion. The 'snow' scene is the pinnacle of cinematic shock and many of the following scenes make you wince with fear for the people which, on-screen you have inexorably bonded with.
I feel that the tagline of the film: "Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire." A line taken from the inscription engraved on the ring gifted to Schindler by the people he had harboured owes greater relevance to Stern. Itzhak had saved the life of Schindler from the greed of money - now long spent on buying the freedom and food for 1,100 Jews. Oskar was liberated from his mind bent on profit - which had now been retrofitted to manufacture love and understanding. As Stern saved one life - Schindler could save hope for the world entire. There is always good within every evil created by man and money.
An accurate expression of the elegant truth within a context of differentiation.
Andrew N. McVea