Schindler's List
Authored By Jasmin Hussain and Jhonas Dunakin
Schindler’s List follows a Czech, playboy, millionaire, businessman named Oskar Schindler (played by Liam Neeson). Oskar originally plan’s to wreak the economic benefits of war by supplying it through cheap Jewish labor. Oskar develops as a character to eventually sympathize with his Jewish workers and goes on to help them in every way he knows how. Director Steven Spielberg is very well known for his famous action movies such as Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and Jaws. This was his first attempt at a deep, rich, and character driven film with minimal action, which also analyzes and displays a horrifying historical event. This film will put even the toughest person to tears. Schindler’s List show’s power, business, and hope, all with the simple representation of color motifs and camera angles.
There are a few key instances that are very hard to miss throughout the film which are in color. Some these moments however happen when when a Jewish prayer takes place. The beginning sequence is shot in color, specifically when the Jewish prayer of Kaddish is being recited. Kaddish is recited in the Jewish faith specifically to praise god in mourning prayers, prayer services, and during funerals. This sequence is shot in a specific way and appears twice in the film, in the beginning of the movie and the end. If looked at from a point of view as the beginning before the Holocaust, then the color represents prosperity as the light from the candle dims, the wax disappears, and the shot turns from color to black white representing the beginning of the end of the Jews. From the point of view of the ending being the beginning the color represents hope while the prayer represents the mourning of the dead. These kind of sequences are pure genius. Playing and toying around with the editing in this fashion has only been done successfully very few times in films like Memento. Color can be used to speak to the audience without the use of words and we applaud Mr.Spielberg's creativity in this aspect.
There are a few key instances that are very hard to miss throughout the film which are in color. Some these moments however happen when when a Jewish prayer takes place. The beginning sequence is shot in color, specifically when the Jewish prayer of Kaddish is being recited. Kaddish is recited in the Jewish faith specifically to praise god in mourning prayers, prayer services, and during funerals. This sequence is shot in a specific way and appears twice in the film, in the beginning of the movie and the end. If looked at from a point of view as the beginning before the Holocaust, then the color represents prosperity as the light from the candle dims, the wax disappears, and the shot turns from color to black white representing the beginning of the end of the Jews. From the point of view of the ending being the beginning the color represents hope while the prayer represents the mourning of the dead. These kind of sequences are pure genius. Playing and toying around with the editing in this fashion has only been done successfully very few times in films like Memento. Color can be used to speak to the audience without the use of words and we applaud Mr.Spielberg's creativity in this aspect.
The use of point of view shots is absolutely phenomenal. A specific scene to look out for in the film is the liquidation of a Jewish Ghetto in Poland. You’re seeing everything from the point of view of Oskar Schindler who is riding his horse on top of this hill that overlooks the ghetto. The shots change from his point of view to his expression which is of utter shock which is latter to blame for his development as a character. This shot below is after a soldier has just executed four Jew’s with a single shot and later an officer, Amon Goeth the antagonist in the film, appears to murder the rest. But this shot is a favorite amongst the two of us because in this specific scene we can depict almost everything there is to know about a Jewish ghetto liquidation and it touches everyone emotionally. There are dead Jew’s who have just been shot, an officer about to kill the rest, Jews begging for mercy, and soldiers standing idly by proud of what they’re doing.
A lot can be decoded through motifs and camera angles. This slowly builds up to the overall story in the film. The story behind Schindler’s List is an unique example of a man striving to save humanity. Something that at the time is the complete opposite of what society believes Oskar to be doing. Oskar is very strategic when it comes to carrying out his plan without any flaws. He knows that staying friendly with German officers, throwing lavish parties and donning a Nazi pin will keep him safe. It isn’t surprising that Schindler doesn’t let anyone know what he’s truly doing until the film comes to a close. He lets the Jews, and his accountant Stern (played by Ben Kingsley) interpret his motives on their own as they go on to call themselves Schindler Jews. Schindler uses his valorous persona as way to get away with his actions.This is a realization that Mr. Spielberg leaves his viewers to ponder upon after viewing the entire film. Everything else that occurs in the film is a pure backdrop that adds and compliments Oskar’s journey from being a businessman to wanting to save Jews.
The following shots depict scenes from when Oskar is emotionally affected by the killing of Jews. This is also of the deeply moving and emotionally heartbreaking scenes in the entire film. Witnessing a young girl go into hiding, and later sighting her dead opens Oskar’s eyes to what is truly happening. This proves to be a huge turning point in the film. It is directly after this scene, Oskar begins his Schindler’s list.
The following shots depict scenes from when Oskar is emotionally affected by the killing of Jews. This is also of the deeply moving and emotionally heartbreaking scenes in the entire film. Witnessing a young girl go into hiding, and later sighting her dead opens Oskar’s eyes to what is truly happening. This proves to be a huge turning point in the film. It is directly after this scene, Oskar begins his Schindler’s list.
The only other person who seems more in charge than Oskar Schindler is Nazi Commander Amon Goeth (played by Ralph Fiennes). Anyone who watches the film can tell that Goeth is a psychopath. No one knows how or where Goeth’s cruelty began. He uses war as a tool to mask his love murdering innocents. A likely theory is that Goeth believes killing and being in charge is true power, even though Schindler tries convincing him that those who pardon are truly powerful. Throughout the second half of the film you can see that Goeth looks up to Schindler, and wants to be like him. Thus, he takes Schindler’s large bribes for rescuing Jews. Amon Goeth’s cruelty is something that no viewer will ever forget. However the main argument here is that Steven Spielberg's film shows that good always outweighs the bad even under the most horrific circumstances.
Schindler’s List shines light on many different themes. Some of the important themes that come up a lot in the film is denial and the amount of power that a person is capable of holding. Denial is first shown when the Jews, knowing that that they are in the midst of a war, mistake the ghettos for a home and protection. In addition Schindler also goes through many phases of denial. He believes Goeth to be a respectable Nazi commander, and also denies helping Jews until the end of the film. These elements were incorporated in the film by Mr. Spielberg to catch the audience off guard and to stay focused on the film. The more important theme in the film power, is what develops Schindler’s character. He uses his power to his full advantage, and to influence others. Schindler is able to to good during a world event where no one else could help the Jews. That is where true power lies. As Stern said, "The list is life. All around its margins lies the gulf."