Schindler's List (1993)

All it takes is a name. Names are important, as well as history. One name that stands out in the realm of entertainment is Steven Spielberg. And, in 1993, Spielberg made released two films that garnered widespread acclaim. The first was “Jurassic Park”: a technological triumph that shaped the modern blockbuster. The other was a more personal tale about names in general; it's called “Schindler's List”, and is often been regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. And for good reason.

The movie chronicles the terrifying experience during World War II known as the Holocaust: a horrifying termination and forced forced relocation of hundreds and thousands of Jews in Europe during this time frame. There were some who saved these Jews from persecution, but there was one who did more: Oskar Schindler. This movie showcases what he had to do in order to protect those of the Hebrew faith.

The end result is a marvelous and fantastic production that was gloriously shot in black and white (with traces of color at the beginning and end), and treats its subject material very seriously. Which can create some uneasiness among viewers, but the experience will be more than enough to view this three hour production.

The movie stars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, a man who seeing WWII unfold and tries his hardest to help the Jews live and not die. Under the guidance of his accountant Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley), who is also a Jew, Schindler must prove to the Nazi's, including Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes), that these Jews are people, and not just a race that needs to die.

“Schindler's List” is a great movie that needs to be seen. But why?

For starters, the story is engaging and immense. Despite the three hour run time, the pace moves at a constant flow, and keeps the viewer interested. On top of this, the movie knows when to slow down, and when to step up the action. Like the eradication of Krakow where the most poignant scene occurs: a girl in a red coat is running among a black and white scenery. This infamous scene represents hope and faith in otherwise troublesome times.

The acting is another key role that makes this movie stand out. Liam Neeson and Ben Kingsley deliver great performances, but it is Ralph Fiennes that steals the show as the villainous Amon Goeth. Fiennes makes this character believable, despite him being one of the bad guys.

The cinematography in this movie is excellent. By filming the movie in black and white, the audience gets a sense of realism, as well as authenticity due to the film's strong sense of historical accuracy; this is from not only the sets and scenery, but with the costumes, and other set pieces like the cars and trains used. As stated earlier, there are only a few glimpses of color including the beginning opening titles, the little girl in a red coat, a candle being lit during the Sabbath, and the end with the following dedication: In memory of the more than six million Jews murdered.

John Williams' orchestration and score is one the most thought-provoking and outstanding scores this man has ever written.

Steven Spielberg's direction is magnificent. From panning camera movements, to even times of when the action feels like it was shot on a handheld, Spielberg knew how to make the action stand out. Even with the actors, Spielberg knew how to handle everything that was happening on set.

Finally, the most important thing to take away from “Schindler's List” is the message: courage and gratitude can from anywhere. Even it is from one individual. It's a message that needs to be related in today's society, even if anyone doesn't believe it.

In conclusion, “Schindler's List” is a name of a movie that defies explanation. One or more people need to see this film and just realize how important names can truly be in the annals of history.