Schindler’s List (1993)
The most poignant portrayal of the Holocaust.
Presentation:
Liam Neeson is magnetic as the protagonist Nazi factory director. He never overplays his hand offering a realistic approach of a man shifting his mind due to the cruelties of genocide. He is at times indifferent and at times caring but never in a melodramatic way. The film is quite honest in its presentation, you don’t have overacting or actors begging and crying for forgiveness or gratitude, it all feels very solemn and executed with proper restraint. The film is black and white, which provides excellent contrast for later scenes with some real survivors making an appearance, which overwhelmingly ground this film in reality. Steven Spielberg really aces the tone and mood. Some scenes are truly barbaric and moving while so much is stated with actors saying so little through his direction. There are also handheld scenes, which also have the DNA of Saving Private Ryan’s grittiness, which really add to the brutality toward the Jews. Ralph Fiennes is also truly despicable but not in a cartoonish way as he does show some reasonable nuance in his character.
Conclusion:
To me, this is the most powerful Holocaust film. Compared to The Pianist, this film is certainly less personal as it follows Oskar Schindler and his group of Jews, but is greater overall with more scope that makes it even more impressive how touching the film still manages to be. It can really stir up some emotions and fluctuates between inspirational, devastating and overwhelming. A very moving film.
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