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Rated: R
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, et al.
Director: Steven Spielberg Review
Steven Spielberg had a banner year in 1993. He scored one of his biggest
commercial hits that summer with the mega-hit Jurassic Park, but it was
the artistic and critical triumph of Schindler's List that Spielberg
called "the most satisfying experience of my career." Adapted from the
best-selling book by Thomas Keneally and filmed in Poland with an emphasis
on absolute authenticity, Spielberg's masterpiece ranks among the greatest
films ever made about the Holocaust during World War II. It's a film about
heroism with an unlikely hero at its center--Catholic war profiteer Oskar
Schindler (Liam Neeson), who risked his life and went bankrupt to save
more than 1,000 Jews from certain death in concentration camps
By employing Jews in his crockery factory manufacturing goods for the
German army, Schindler ensures their survival against terrifying odds. At
the same time, he must remain solvent with the help of a Jewish accountant
(Ben Kingsley) and negotiate business with a vicious, obstinate Nazi
commandant (Ralph Fiennes) who enjoys shooting Jews as target practice
from the balcony of his villa overlooking a prison camp. Schindler's List
gains much of its power not by trying to explain Schindler's motivations,
but by dramatizing the delicate diplomacy and determination with which he
carried out his generous deeds. As a drinker and womanizer
who thought nothing of associating with Nazis, Schindler was hardly a
model of decency; the film is largely about his transformation in response
to the horror around him. Spielberg doesn't flinch from that horror, and
the result is a film that combines remarkable humanity with abhorrent
inhumanity--a film that functions as a powerful history lesson and a
testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the context of a living
nightmare. --Jeff Shannon
-------------- The usual words you use to
praise a great piece of work don't seem to do justice with this film.
"It's Great", or "It's Brilliant", just don't seem strong enough. There
are no words to describe such a landmark film. Steven Spielberg proves
once again why he is one of the best filmmakers of all time. If not THE
best. If you disagree, you are a sad person in a very small group. Filmed
in beautiful black and white, the film was based on the book by author
Thomas Keneally. It deals, as if you didn't know, about the holocaust
during World War II. A man who seemed to be an unlikely hero tried to
help. That man was Oskar Schindler, who was a war profiteer. He put his
life on the line to save as many jews from concentration camps as he
could. The role was superbly played by Liam Neeson. He delivers a
wonderful and Oscar nominated performance. The most amazing job comes from
Ralp Fiennes, who plays an evil Nazi. A man so vicious that he shoots jews
from his balcony as practice. An astonishing and unforgettable character
and performance. Ben Kingsley rounds out the cast. The movie is raw and
brutal. Nothing is glammed up or "Hollywoodized" at all. Thank god for
that. The movie is very frank and up front about what happened. I can only
imagine what the film would've been like if it was in color. Thankfully,
it's not. The black and white fits better. Spielberg is a brilliant
visionary of unprecedented talent. He knows hwo to give us thrilling
summer movies, and then he turns right around and gives us jaw dropping
films on real life like "Saving Private Ryan", "Empire Of The Sun", and "Amistad".
This film is his greatest achievement. "Ryan" might tie with it. This is a
film that everyone needs to see. No matter what. This is important and
educational. You'll be a better person for it. One of the best movies ever
made. No question about it.
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