Schindler’s List: An Unflinching Look at the Holocaust

biopic, drama, historical

3:15

1993

Review by Brandon Talks Movies on May 09, 2018

This is very cruel, Oskar. You’re giving them hope. You shouldn’t do that. That’s cruel!

Schindler’s List is, without a doubt, one of the most important films of all time. If you don’t know, it’s probably the best and one of the most accurate films about the persecution of the Jews in Nazi Germany (and Nazi-occupied Poland) in World War II, and it’s based on real people and events. It’s one I had always known about, but had never seen—partly because I was intimidated by it. The Holocaust is not an easy thing to watch, and I was worried it would be, well, a bit too much. I’m happy to report that, while there were some awful things portrayed, it remains very accessible, and I loved this powerful film. Director Steven Spielberg (E.T., Jurassic Park) had a tremendous amount of respect for the subject and was careful to make a film that stays true to history, no matter how dark, and honors the survivors, some of whom make an appearance in the final scene. There are some heartbreaking scenes, but this is a truly great film that doesn’t just rely on the historical significance of its subject matter.

The plot follows Oskar Schindler, a wealthy businessman in German-occupied Poland during World War II. Jews are quickly losing their rights and their humanity and have to fight to prove their worth to society to avoid being taken away to concentration camps. Schindler opens a factory and employs only Jews, giving them proof that they’re contributing to society. At first, his decision is partly out of kindness and partly out of practicality—the Jews cost next to nothing to employ. But as persecution grows more severe and the stakes get higher, he finds himself making more and more sacrifices to protect his Jews.

And I asked him—I don’t know how, I could never ask him now—I said, ‘Why are you beating me?’ He said, ‘The reason I beat you now is because you ask why I beat you.’

Spielberg made a great effort to keep things as true as possible in this film, but even beyond the subject matter, it stands very well on its merits as a deeply emotional drama. The acting is admittedly rather average, but the portrayal of how the Jews were dehumanized is gripping and chilling. Also interesting are the Nazi characters. It would have been very easy to paint all Nazis as these inhuman villains without a scrap of goodness in them, but inhuman acts are often carried out by people who still have a good deal of humanity. We see the Nazis, particularly the main antagonist Amon Goeth, carry out horrible acts, although they really struggle to hold onto their own humanity and shrink when they see it slipping away. The focus of the film is not merely on the bad things the Nazis did, but also on the good things done by Oskar Schindler, a member of the Nazi party who would not sit idly by and let bad things happen. This is complex human drama at its best.

Schindler’s List is undoubtedly important, but is it entertaining? I would say yes, absolutely. This isn’t three hours of a concentration camp reenactment, and it’s not one of those that I’m glad I saw but will never watch again. Like any good drama, we see the characters in a variety of scenarios. There are business troubles, troubled monologues, romantic tensions, and even some tasteful moments of humor sprinkled throughout that keep this from being a chore. And the closing scenes are immensely powerful and emotional. This is an inspirational film, calling its viewers to stand up when they see injustice happening, but it’s also a great story that keeps viewers engaged from the opening scenes to the poignant ending.

Should I Watch Schindler’s List?

If you’ve been scared of watching Schindler’s List like I was, don’t be—it’s a really great movie. Be prepared, though—the atrocities of the Holocaust are not watered down here. There are a few scenes that are hard to watch. There are a few scenes that will make you cry. But at no point did I feel this film went too far. It’s worth watching, and this is one I truly think everybody needs to watch at some point in their lives.

Movies Like Schindler’s List

The Pianist (2002) - This is another Holocaust film based on a true story, this time of a Jewish pianist who is forced to hide in the Warsaw ruins to survive. Schindler’s List is a story of moving forward with heroic action, but The Pianist is a struggle for survival—not only for the main character’s life, but for his mind and soul as well, as the ordeal takes its toll on him. The Pianist pulls no punches in its story, making it a very close match for Schindler’s List.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008) - This is a story of a Nazi concentration camp through the eyes of a young German child—the son of a German officer—as he meets a young Jewish boy who is imprisoned in the camp. It starts with innocence, but the German boy discovers the horrors of the war as he sees the Jewish boy suffer. Though heartbreaking, this story feels more allegorical than the realistic Schindler’s List. It’s a great companion film, though.
Life is Beautiful (1997) - In this Italian film, a Jewish waiter and his son become imprisoned in a concentration camp. The father uses humor, distraction, and everything else in his power to protect his young son from the harsh reality of their situation. The film starts on a light note, but becomes heartbreaking as the father goes to greater lengths to shield his son.

Academy Awards

Winner: Best Picture, Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Adapted Screenplay (Steven Zaillian), Best Cinematography (Janusz Kamiński), Best Art Direction (Allan Starski, Ewa Braun), Best Film Editing (Michael Kahn), Best Original Score (John Williams)

Nominee: Best Actor (Liam Neeson), Best Supporting Actor (Ralph Fiennes), Best Makeup, Best Sound

Runtime: 3:15
Director: Steven Spielberg
Year: 1993
Genres: biopic, drama, historical
Rating: R

About Brandon

My name is Brandon, and I love movies. Not bad ones, though—just the good ones. I’m curating and reviewing a list of classic, essential-viewing, or just plain good movies from all decades, and I've been reviewing them since 2016. I also co-host Peculiar Picture Show, a podcast about movies and mental health and write about Dungeons & Dragons options, builds, and optimization.