American Film Institute's Top 100 Films: No. 6Academy Award for Best Picture, 1993
Stern, if this factory ever produces a shell that can actually be fired, I'll be very unhappy. - Oskar Schindler
As a history fanatic, I have always enjoyed movies based on true events, and even more so ones that are for the majority historically accurate. This is the second time I've seen the movie, and although the subject matter is extremely dark (so much so director Stephen Spielberg had friend Robin Williams make comedy sketches to lighten the mood during filming) it is still a wonderful movie.
Both Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes potray their characters with utmost perfection. Neeson as the title role does an excellent job conveying to the viewers the transition of Schindler from a man looking to gain power and money to a man looking to save the lives of hundreds of prisoners. Likewise, Fiennes' Amon Goeth is nothing short of sinister. He truly brings to light the pure evil that encompassed many members of the Nazi party. Furthermore, the use of black and white film made the movie that much more effective - the sinister glares given by Fiennes and the compassionate glances administered by Neeson are seen in a new way with the absence of color.
It also seems the movie stays fairly close to the book in which it was based off of, with the exception of the liquidation of Krakow, Poland. Spielberg chose to expand this portion of the film from a small blurb in the book to a full 20-minute film segment, taking much of the scenes from real eye witness accounts. For instance, the man shown moving luggage off the street was based on a real person, who only survived an encounter with the Gestapo because of the quick thinking on his feet.
Overall, a wonderful, moving yet depressing movie. Not one to watch often, but one to relish when I do.
4 stars out of 5
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