Review of Schindler's List (1993) by Adrian Z — 12 Apr 2013

Based on Thomas Keneally's book, itself based on fact, and adapted for the screen by Steven Zaillian's, whose writing here is just sublime, Schindler's List is and will always remain Steven Spielberg's opus.

He deservedly won the Best Director Academy Award, for the film is so artfully made and emotionally transcends the silver screen barrier and becomes part of one own horrible reality for over 3 hours. War profiteer Oskar Schindler (Neeson) enlists the aid of Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern (Kingsley) to open an enamelware factory in Krakow in the midst of the Nazi invasion of Poland, but the arrival of nefarious Nazi commandant Amon Goeth (Fiennes), who has no qualms over executing Krakow's Jewish population, sparks the humanitarian side of Schindler, who then decides to pour his fortune into saving as many Jews as possible.

Neeson is really very good as Schindler, and Fiennes is equally good, but absolutely chilling as Goeth. Then, there is Kingsley as stoic Stern, absolutely beautiful performance. Janusz Kaminski's black & white cinematography, often shot documentary style, and Michael Kahn's editing work in concert to create some of the most spellbinding sequence of images committed to celuloid (both Oscar winners).

Kudos also to John Williams' hauntingly beautiful score (also an Oscar winner).