Schindler's List

Rating: 10/10 (22 June 2014)

Schindler's List is a gripping true story set in Krakow, Poland during the German invasion during World War II involving the persecution of the Jews. The movie is set in a black and white motif except for a few scenes. The different lighting and shadowing with depth shots make this movie as if seeing it in first person. Oskar Schindler played by Liam Neeson, lives in Czechoslovakia and relocates to Poland after Poland was defeated by Germany within two weeks to become wealthy from the war Schindler is a war profiteer Schindler does not know any Germans in Poland to start an industry; however, Schindler knows of an enamel factory there in which to start his business. Upon arrival into Poland, Schindler works his way into the Germans minds and hearts by becoming well known during a dinner out in the town and buying dinner and drinks. Tango music is played as background music for the affect of Schindler and the Germans entwining a partnership to allow Schindler to open a factory. Schindler has his picture taken with the German elitist and his name becomes a city known name among the Germans. Schindler seeks out Stern a Judenrat and former accountant to open the factory making mess kits with a German army contract. Schindler wants to be known for doing something extraordinary and that no one else had done. Schindler begins seeing from afar the liquidation of the Jews in the Ghetto, and casts his eyes on a little girl wearing a red coat. While this child is being overlooked she escapes the lines and hides under a bed. Schindler cries for her suffrage and he begins seeing human faces and the pain the Jews are enduring. Schindler becomes well-known with Goeth a ruthless German played by Ralph Fiennes. Schindler realizes each Jew did hold a life, were a human being and belonged in a family. Schindler is arrested and Goeth speaks on Schindler's behalf and gets him out of jail, Schindler sees the ashes from Jewish bodies burning, the audience hears in the background a Billie Holiday tune, "God Bless the Child". As Schindler watches Goeth with his barbaric treatment, Schindler suggests to Goeth the story of an emperor and granting mercy which Goeth used sporadically as he was an ego maniac. With the war coming to an end, Schindler decides to work out a plan to re-locate his factory and buy from Goeth Jews, and creates his list of names of over 1100.