Schindler’s List - Review

“War brings out the worst in people. Never the good, always the bad, always the bad” – A review of Schindler’s List. 

There are some films which are so devastatingly sad, so tragically powerful and genuinely heartbreaking to experience that it’s difficult to really review them. Finding the words to describe the impact of films like this is truly challenging, and one of the best examples of this is Schindler’s List. Directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1993, Schindler’s List is one of the most powerful films I have ever watched. Based on real events of the past, the film is about the incredible efforts of Oskar Schindler, who was a German industrialist who managed to save over 1000 Jewish people during the atrocities of the Holocaust.

The first thing to note is how incredibly moving and harrowing the film is. There are so many moments throughout which are completely heartbreaking. The way Schindler’s List approaches some incredibly dark and horrific historical events is through masterful cinematography and direction. Most of the film is in black and white, which makes you feel like you’re watching a documentary rather than a film, and it really creates a bleak atmosphere fitting for wartime Poland. When colour is used though, it’s powerful. The red coat, for example, is a truly haunting symbol in an incredibly bleak landscape and is part of one of the saddest scenes I have ever watched in any piece of media.

The cinematography really captures both the horrors and the humanity of the events which unfolded in a truly sensitive way. The score, by John Williams, really amplifies the terrible gravity of the situation and the closing scenes of the film offer a poignant testament to the incredible legacy of everything Schindler accomplished.

The performances are nuanced and emotional. Liam Neeson plays Schindler and depicts his transformation from businessman to saviour with so much depth and sensitivity. Ralph Fiennes is another stand out; he plays Amon Goth, a truly sadistic camp commandant, and his acting is genuinely chilling. The cast overall deliver exceptional performances and bring a true feeling of authenticity to the film.

This isn’t just a film. Schindler’s List exists as a devastating reminder of the terrible atrocities committed during the Holocaust, as well as a reminder that a single person really can make a positive difference to people’s lives. Having courage, and a conscience, can help a person stand up against even the most evil of times. The film is unflinching in the ways it shows violence and suffering, and it exists to help ensure that no one ever forgets or repeats the absolute horrors of the Holocaust.

This is the kind of film which exists to educate. It’s technically excellent, brilliantly written and full of incredible performances, but it’s so much more than this. This film acts as a powerful reminder of the horrors of the past, and as a call to action. If you see injustice, in any form, you should take action against it. Morality, hope, suffering and tragedy are all present throughout, but it’s this message which I think is the most important thing to take away from it. Never forget, never again.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

Share Article: