Schindler's List

Moving to Poland during the German occupation, Oskar Schindler (Neeson) was a businessman who thought he could make his fortune during times of war. Using a free Jewish workforce taken from the ghettos and camps of Krakow, he puts them to work in his factory. As the war progresses, Schindler realises to his horror what the Nazis have planned for the Jews, so he and his Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern (Kingsley) make a list of 1100 prisoners that he is going to take with him to his new factory in Czechoslovakia, saving them from the gas chambers.

Steven Spielberg's Oscar winning triumph is one of the most emotional, powerful and import films ever made.

Based on the book by Thomas Keneally, Schindler's List is the definition of cinema. The film is not only a superb piece of art but it is also an education tool in the battle against prejudice, religious intolerance and genocide. Through the message that this movie conveys, current and future generations will never forget one of the most evil acts ever committed in human history, the slaughter of over 6 million Jews at the hand of the Nazis.

A powerful and emotional subject is brought to life by some amazing performances. Liam Neeson is superb as Oskar Schindler giving a complex performance that shifts from indifference towards his free workforce to complete compassion when he realises what the Nazis have in store for them. Watching Neeson's character's transformation from uncaring industrialist to emotional saviour of 1100 people is totally enthralling and a career-defining role for the distinguished and extremely talent actor. Sir Ben Kingsley is astounding as Itzhak Stern, Schindler's accountant and later confidant. We follow his story as much as we do Schindler's and through his and his family and friends eyes, we witness atrocities committed by the Nazis first hand. His performance can't fail to grab you and fill you with sheer emotion as we follow his character's pain, loss and triumph over his oppressors. Ralph Fiennes brilliantly portrays one of the most evil characters ever put to film, Commandant Amon Goeth. This is a man who actually gained pleasure from the relentless torture and murder of the Jewish people under his charge. This can't have been an easy role for Fiennes to play but he gives it is all out of respect for the story and not for the man he is portraying. What makes Goeth so evil is the fact that this is a real man, not someone made up by the writers, so the thought of someone being this monstrous just fills you with disbelief over the cruelty and mentality of some sick and depraved individuals that have been given power.

This movie changed Steven Spielberg's career forever. He was already a respected filmmaker but was known more for his big budget, family oriented movies like 'Jurassic Park' and 'E.T.' than a serious director of powerful, story driven films. People too easily forgot that he also directed 'The Colour Purple' and 'Empire of the Sun', to extremely good movies covering powerful subjects. This movie changed all of that. The sheer scope and total respect for the material sets this film apart from any other. Spielberg's decision to make the movie in black and white only deepens its impact as you feel you are watching footage from the era, witnessing the events first hand for yourself. Backed up by some astonishing cinematography by Janusz Kaminski and a wonderfully emotive score by John Williams, Schindler's List is an astounding achievement in the glittering career of the master filmmaker.

Schindler's List is one of the most powerful and emotional movies ever made. It is a film that everyone must see, without exception. Its power storyline is not just one of history but one of education for future generations.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1 and dts surround sound, the movie is presented beautifully. The mostly black and white picture is extremely sharp and crystal clear. The surround sound is superb throughout especially during the crowd scenes.

BONUS FEATURES

Voices from the List (1hr 17.28 mins)
Introduced by Steven Spielberg and using footage from The Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, this documentary retells the events of the film from the point of view of actually people from Schindler's list. This emotional and powerful film allows survivors to tell their personal stories from growing up in Poland to been taken by the Nazis. Each one of them talks passionately about their wartime lives revealing how the Germans treated them and what happened to their families. They also discuss what Oskar Schindler was like and what he did for them. These extremely moving recounts are intercut with images from the time that show the shocking reality of life in the camps.

The Shoah Foundation Story (11.26 mins)
Introduced by Steven Spielberg and narrated by Morgan Freeman, this short featurette reveals the purpose of the Shoah Foundation and the work it is doing to catalogue the 52,000 survivor accounts they have recorded since starting in 1994. It also shows how the archive is used in education in schools around the world. There is a telephone number and a website address to allow you to make a donation to the Foundation.

Cast & Filmmakers Biographies
Text biographies of the cast and crew behind the film including information on Steven Spielberg, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley.

About Oskar Schindler
A text and pictorial biography of the man who saved 1100 Jewish people from almost certain death.

OVERALL

An astonishing film is brilliantly presented on DVD. While the length of the movie means that it is spread over two disks, the break comes at an advantageous point and does not ruin the flow of the film. The "Voices from the List" documentary is as moving as the film, if not more so and the look at the work of the Shoah Foundation reveals the extraordinary work been down to preserve this part of history. It would have been nice to have seen more about the actual making of the movie but the quality of the documentary makes up for its absence. This is a must own DVD for anyone's collection.

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