Review of Schindler's List (1993) by Ross B — 22 Jun 2013

Steven Spielberg directs this absolutely amazing piece of cinema that may be his finest work and the definitive movie made about the Holocaust. The film is the true story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a factory owner and member of the Nazi party who began using Jewish laborers in his factory because they were cheaper during the start of the Nazi occupation in Poland.

Schindler recruits the services of Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley), a former accountant before the occupation who because he is Jewish is being put into the ghetto. As the war goes on, and the Jews from the ghetto are brought now to a work camp run by the sadistic SS officer Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes), Schindler continues to try and protect his workers.

What he suddenly realizes is the true horror of the Holocaust and what a life is truly worth. The film is possibly Steven Spielberg's masterpiece. Neeson, Kingsley and Fiennes gives otherworldly performances with Fiennes particularly giving one of the scariest villain performances put to screen.

It is not an easy film to watch, as it shouldn't be. Spielberg captures the horrors of the Holocaust while at the same time showing the heart and resilience of those Jews who survived as well as those who helped them.

There may never be a film like this ever again that so expertly tells a story like this. It is one of the most powerful film experiences I have ever seen and a must watch for everyone.