Schindler’s List (1993)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film:  197 Minutes

Rated: R

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagall, Embeth Davidtz

IMDB Rank: 9.0/10

Part 1 Time: 129 Minutes

Part 2 Time: 68 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Jewish citizens are packed into train cars at the train depot on a hot summer day. Schindler (Liam Neeson) has the Nazi’s hose down the rail cars with water. The Nazi’s view this as humour, Schindler has other plans.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Every time the train stops you open the door and give them water, this car, this car.” Schindler to German Solider.

First line of dialogue on the second part:  Car approaches D.E.F. (Schindler’s Manufacturing) Schindler speaks to S.S. who are there to arrest him. “I’m not saying you’ll regret it.”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, at this break in the film we see Schindler as a fully humanitarian. He no longer views Jewish people as capital but as humans. Schindler begins to use his influence to save as many lives as possible, no matter the cost.

Which part is better? Part one shows the brutally of the Nazi regime and the many inhumane conditions that Jewish peoples were exposed to. The first part of this film presents an accurate visual representation of the crimes against humanity towards the Jewish population during World War II.

Academy Awards: Best Picture (1993), Best Director, Best Writing- Based on Material Previously Produced or Published, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction- Set Decoration, Best Film Editing, Best Music- Original Score, Best Actor (Nominated- Liam Neeson), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Ralph Fiennes), Best Costume Design (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated), Best Makeup (Nominated)

National Film Registry: 2004