From the Oscars Vault: Schindler’s List

Remember the grade-school assignments aimed at sparking creativity, asking children to name the important characteristics that make up a hero? The generic classification of a hero characterized him or her as always being good, virtually without flaw and practically super-human. Steven Spielberg explored the very human and flawed qualities of Oskar Schindler in his acclaimed 1993 film, Schindler's List. Through the horrid events of the Holocaust, Spielberg explores what a true hero really is and the life experiences that shape that person.

The film begins with the extravagant businessman, Oskar Schindler. Liam Neeson (Taken) plays the rich and successful Schindler brilliantly, drawing the audience in. In order to quench his thirst for money and power during World War II, Schindler uses Jewish councilman Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley, Gandhi) to help him create his new business. With a large sum of money collected from various businessmen, the two men open up a factory that takes advantage of cheap Jewish labor. But after seeing the horrors of the Holocaust and having repeated encounters with Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes, The Constant Gardener), a barbaric overseer of a concentration camp, Schindler's ambitions change. With his selfishness and greed haunting him, he embarks on a journey of altruism to save the Jews, doing everything in his power to keep them from the camps.

Schindler's List depicts Spielberg's amazing strength as a renowned filmmaker. His choice of making the movie black-and-white serves to captivate the audience and to paint an exceptional portrait of good versus evil. It allows viewers to feel as if they were part of the movie, living during the '40s, walking through the streets of Europe. Spielberg incorporates symbolic imagery, such as a young girl wearing a red coat to represent a break between the rivalries. Certain imagery is left to interpretation but regardless, the audience is left with a sense of grief. The hauntingly beautiful visuals along with outstanding acting effectively underline the mature tones of the plot.

Although this film illustrates a horrifying time in history that many people try hard to forget or at least seldom think of, Schindler's List and more importantly, the character of Oskar Schindler himself remind us about the good in human nature. The audience remembers Schindler's original greed and appreciates the transformation he goes through. Schindler's List is indeed a heartbreaking tearjerker. The defining storyline combined with a good script, a moving score and remarkable acting make this film a timeless classic.