Schindler's List poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall, Embeth Davidtz

The true story of Austrian industrialist Oskar Schindler, who harbored Polish Jews during WWII by using them as workers in his factory. Schindler saved 1,100 Jews from certain death.

Flixster Users

96% liked it

350,227 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

58 critics

R, 3 hr. 15 min.

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Release Date: December 15, 1993

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 9, 2004

Stats: 26,054 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Amon Goeth Ralph Fiennes Liam Neeson in Schindler's List Schinder's List Ralph Fiennes -Schindler's List- Liam Neeson Schindler's List Schindler's List Schindler's List Schindler's List Schindler's List Schindler's List Schindler's List Poster designed by Saul Bass the little girl in the red coat Schindler's List Schindler's List Steven Spielberg
Upload a Photo |

View All Schindler's List Photos (27)

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (26,054)

  • irisheyes686
    January 27, 2010
    irisheyes686
    So horribly sad :( It was a good movie, but I wouldn't watch it again.
  • AgentLexi2132
    December 25, 2009
    AgentLexi2132
    ''Today is history...''

    Oskar Schindler uses Jews to start a factory in Poland during the war. He witnesses the horrors endured by the Jews, and starts to save them.

    Liam Neeson: Oskar Schindler

    Ben Kingsley: Itzhak Stern

    Ralph Fienne

    ...( read more)s: Amon Goeth

    ''...The list is life...''

    Thomas Keneally's bestselling book was made into a movie adaptation of awesome historical resonance and emotional valour. Oskar Schindler was a Catholic war profiteer during World War II. Initially prospering because he was a member of the Nazi party and a charismatic businessman. Although ultimately Schindler later saved the lives of more than 1,000 Polish Jews by giving them jobs in his factory, which turned out crockery for the German army. Schindler lost his wealth, but gained salvation for many lives and the descendants that would spring from those lives.

    List was made mostly in Poland; incorporating authentic locations with cinematographic wonder. The look of Schindler's List, primarily in grainy black and white, reminds us that we truly are watching a dark period of history. Despite the movie's considerable length, it is never slow or dull. It is hard to believe that Hollywood, which so often churns out mindless drivel aimed at making money, could produce something so important and powerful as this film.
    Schindler's List is a cruel and honest depiction of the 2nd world war and does not shy away from showing us the ugly genocide, cruelness and humanities inhumanity to man.
    A true story about a man who had morals, had a heart and above all the will to act and make a stand against bullies, against corruption, and men with no sense of decency.

    Schindler's List is blossoming with beautiful symbolism, who could forget the little girl in a red dress, with John Williams score proudly blaring with proceedings, she is the one constant in an abundantly chaotic hellish place. The Ghetto is being massacred, yet here we have this child, this poor girl scared, frightened, alone. This sums up the plight of the whole Jewish race, persecuted for simply being whom you are, and for believing in your own beliefs, for being born the way you are.

    Liam Neeson as Schindler is simply a beautiful character. You see so much in his eyes alone, so much compassion in every gesture, that it moves you emotionally on every level.
    His heart shines through, if one man making a difference is to ever be shown in an example, Oskar Schindler would be among them.
    Oskar Schindler was a Sudeten German industrialist, a wealthy womanizer whom wasn't afraid to throw his money around in the pursuit of making friends in high social circles. Always bearing his Nazi Party badge proudly, Schindler would often frequent nightclubs, extravagantly showering high-ranked Nazi officers and their girlfriends with champagne,caviar and luxuries. With impeccable connections in the black-market, there was little that he couldn't get his hands on, and he was a good person to know back in the day. Buying friends was something that Schindler could do well, and he would often use these newfound alliances to aid his own business ventures. When thousands of the Polish Jew population were relegated to the Krakow Ghetto in 1941, Schindler saw an opportunity for further success, enlisting desperate Jewish investors and employing Jewish workers (who were substantially cheaper to employ) to open an enamelware factory. His connections in high places ensured lucrative army contracts, and Schindler need only have watched as his personal fortune grew, despite doing little to run the company beyond offering it a charismatic front.

    It is clear from the beginning that Oskar Schindler does not harbour any racial prejudices. When Schindler requests the services of Itzhak Stern (Sir Ben Kingsley), a clever, humanitarian Jewish accountant, Stern truthfully declares that, "By law I have to tell you, sir, I'm a Jew.",
    "Well, I'm a German, so there we are," replies Schindler indifferently, before getting straight to business. It is not race that he is concerned with, it is himself and, of course, his money. Stern does not enjoy running Schindler's business, and he initially acquires little satisfaction from it. When Schindler attempts to convey his genuine gratitude for his profitable services with a glass of whiskey, Stern absentmindedly refuses to drink it, and an embittered Schindler drinks it himself before ordering Stern to leave.
    The relationship between Oskar and Itshak is another beautiful aspect to List that really shines through the darkness, watch how a reluctant, skeptical Itzhak remains distrustful of this German Oskar, and later how a deep bond of friendship is forged, a love forms between the two men. One free of hatred and misconception, one full of mutual respect, and an example of godliness in human beings.
    The masterpiece is the creation of the list itself, the piece of paper which became more than a simple scrap of information. Itzhak Stern and Oskar Schindler both truly come to the realization and importance of human life. As Itzhak states, ''This list... is an absolute good. The list is life. All around its margins lies the gulf.'', as he says this, you begin to feel the gravity and raw divine levity of their actions. These men are the glowing beacons in this dark time. These are good men fighting for the lives of others, for something more than just themselves.

    When Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes) comes into the story, a Hauptsturmfuhrer of the SS, the hopeless plight of the Jews grows darker. In a harrowing extended sequence, largely based on the testimonies of many Holocaust survivors, the Jewish populace are mercilessly "liquidated" from the Krakow Ghetto, many simply shot on the spot for no reason.
    "Today is history," proclaims Goeth beforehand. "Today will be remembered. Years from now the young will ask with wonder about this day. Today is history and you are part of it?. For six centuries there has been a Jewish Krakow. By this evening those six centuries will be a rumor. They never happened. Today is history." Ironically Amon is right, but not in the sense that he or his SS soldiers believe, this is history yes, but this is humanity at it's darkest point, at the extreme end of the thread, this is the harrowing point of no return.
    Ralph Fiennes as Amon fascinated me, because here we have a man whom has no moral restraint, he is a symbol of German arrogance, and he revels in all the killing his job entails. Amon also has no manners, he is introduced to us, while his colleague explains the segments of the Ghetto, his reply being a selfish quip about the car top being down. His remarks on the ''villa'' he is to live in looking like a ''house'', all selfish pompous remarks on a man not fussed about what is actually going on around him. His disdain is followed when he chooses a maid he likes, Helen Hirsch(Wonderfully played by Embeth Davidtz), not because of her experience but because of her looks. Spielberg tops off this introduction with showing us Amon, giving a cold order to his lieutenant to execute a Jewish civil engineer, for simply telling them the foundation of a building is suffering subsidence. ''We are not going to have arguments with these people...'' he states. This is the extent of his sadistic chaotic nature. In this camp he is God...or indeed to the Jews the devil, the executioner, the bloody reaper of souls.
    First day after the completion of the camp, Amon christens it by having a snipering session of reluctant workers, while his girlfriend moans at him. The final rendering, him in the bathroom, doing his business, his girlfriend asking him to make coffee, while he replies...''Make it yourself.''
    So one may conclude Amon is an ignorant, sadistic slob whom is prone to acts of violence in a seemingly random guise of untrained thought.
    Amon Goeth, in retrospect, is the complete opposite reflection of Schindler, an evil real villain whom is brought to life by the genius of Ralph Fiennes acting abilities, in one of his finest roles and his career defining moment. Fiennes performance is simply the embodiment and representation of evil.

    So what is evil? The apparent reveling in killing for no logical reason many cry, much like a boy crushing ants in a garden. Amon enjoys killing, he enjoys his job, he's eradicating in his mind vermin, the Jewish population are no longer classed as human beings in the ideology of National Socialism. Yet in taking this action the National Socialists as a whole, have ultimately lost their own humanity by abandoning compassion, morality, and logical reasoning. Upon saying this, Oskar shows us not all Nazis were evil, not all were harboring racist views, yet many were simply too weak to make a stand against many. The fear of being persecuted themselves, as Jewish sympathizers, a stone to great to move.
    A perfect example of the differences between Oskar and Amon, two members of the National Socialist Party, is the power of undeniable, unrelenting Mercy. The battle for good and evil is the same as the black and white used in this story.
    We see this in one of a variation of best scenes in the film, involving Schindler's story, concerning the Emperor pardoning a man instead of killing him, as he tells it to Amon, you can see for a second and in the behaviour of Amon that follows, that what Oskar tells him is sinking in,if what for just a moment...yet it does not take a corrupt being such as Amon long to slip back into his old ways. ''We're good Amon...'', Oskar warmly says, ''I pardon you!'', Amon childishly dismisses at first.
    Another clever montage, Spielberg shows us three possibilities involving love, a Jewish wedding taking place at the Camp, Helen Hirsch being beaten and harrassed by Amon in the cellar of the villa, and Oskar among friends watching a lady singer performing. It cleverly shows the differences in attitudes and morals once again. The Jewish wedding is full of joy,love, hope, a kiss. Oskar shown to be a wonderful lover of parties, women, romance,a kiss. Whereas Amon loves to brutalize and often hurt anything he does not understand, ''No, I don't think so. You Jewish bitch, you nearly talked me into it, didn't you?''...For the whole scene she says not a single word. Which is just as well, because any answer is a wrong answer, for someone like Amon.
    This is a true depiction of love for a true Nazi, unfeeling violence and inhuman sadism. He is lacking the necessary emotions that define a human being's soul.

    Director Steven Spielberg, long known as a blockbuster filmmaker, with adventure classics as Jaws, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial and Raiders of the Lost Ark to his name, Schindler's List was and remains Steven Spielberg's most mature, most timeless, most historically important directorial effort. Working with a screenplay that Steven Zaillian adapted from Thomas Keneally's Booker Prize-winning Schindler's Ark, Spielberg treats the subject matter with the respect it deserves and indeed requires. Wisely choosing to depict the events as realistically as possible, Spielberg allows the images to speak for themselves. Flawless acting, stunning cinematography and a haunting John Williams score excel this film above all others of the 1990s. This is the powerful story of the difference that just one man can make, and it is a story that deserves to be seen by all. We can only feel grateful and in awe that it was Steven Spielberg who chose to be at the helm.

    Steven Spielberg has crafted a masterpiece. A masterpiece which shows life in concentration camps even Auschwitz, it shows political thinking and hatred for Jews at the time not just by Nazis but by most of Europe, it shows one man standing against this corruption in a time where it was dangerous to do so.
    Oskar at the conclusion of events begins to see the value of human life rather than the glorifications of making money, we watch him receive the ring from the people, the friends he saves, and then we see the realization that materialistic wealth is meaningless compared to the value of human life.
    To live in a time consumed by fear and hatred, coldness and malice, then to see it overcome by hope is inspiring to witness, Schindler's List should be watched by all...for to forget ones past is to endanger our future and thus begin that vicious circle of repeating our mistakes as human beings.
    The last scenes show the Jewish workers in Schindler's factory in commune on the Sabbath, cleverly Spielberg shows two candles burning in colour to show the Jewish people have their faith and beliefs as hope, it also shows they have a future. As the Nazi soldiers listen to the Jews praying, even they are, I imagine, in awe of a religion far older and mysterious than they can perceive. They neither understand it or respect it, and this Spielberg successfully shows the catalyst of the Nazis, that being one of jealousy and ignorance.

    Later, the survivors, and relatives of survivors, and the Actors whom played them in Schindler's List are shown at Schindler's grave at the emotional climax. In colour, they are all shown placing an individual stone there, in his memory, and every stone representing a life he saved. Spielberg finishes his defining masterpiece with an effortless touch...a rose being placed in the center by Liam Neeson, the man whose own humanity and soul were saved by his selfless, courageous actions and deeds, the man who saves one life does indeed save the World entire.
    Schindler's List was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won seven including Best Picture and Best Director for Steven Spielberg. Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes were nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. It deserved every honour afforded to it's message, historical accounts and it's wonderful, powerful storytelling.

    Obviously Schindler's List is about the horrors of the Holocaust, but it's also a story of friendship, one of hope, and a story of lives and experiences. Steven Spielberg's best film to date, Schindler's List is his best work.

    ''It's Hebrew, it's from the Talmud. It says,-Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire-''
  • Galeocerdo
    December 13, 2009
    Galeocerdo
    The best and most important movie Steven Spielberg will ever direct. This is the ultimate example of what movies are capable of. It is a beautifully artistic expression of humanity in history's grand scheme.
  • briandeguelle
    October 25, 2009
    briandeguelle
    Spielberg directed this with passon and it shows on screen.Using black and white film making makes this feel realistic.This are great performances from liam neeson,ralph fiennes and ben kingsley.A truly horrifly watch in some places and heart melting moment too,this is one of spi...( read more)elberg best mature movies to date..
  • BiologyBabe2012
    October 3, 2009
    BiologyBabe2012
    Let's get something straight here, for it seems a few people have misunderstood my intention. I do not hate Jews. Not in the least. I like them as much as I do anyone else. Though I believe the Germans (Germans, not Nazis) were portrayed unfairly, I in no way condone the Nazi cau...( read more)se or the existence of concentration camps. I just disliked the film, and here are the reasons why.

    I understand I'm in the minority here, but to put it plainly, I found this film to be rather arrogant. Firstly, I disagree with the decision to cast British and American/Canadian actors in the leading roles, when the film centers around Poles/Germans, be they Jewish or Nazis. Also, I believe sex has no place in a film that plays on the sympathy of the audience towards a population. Seriously, what relevance does the scene between Schindler and his wife have to the overall purpose of the film? It's a little crude to give such a raw topic the 'Hollywood treatment'.

    In short, this is one of (but by far not THE) the most overrated, overhyped, overappreciated, schmaltzy, badly - written (that Oscar certainly was not deserved in my opinion. Either you make a film in German or you make it in English, guys. Multiple languages work only in very few cases e.g. my local favourite 'Tsotsi'. As a general rule: Moenie languages mix nie), drawn - out, biased film I have ever had the misfortune to see. Or rather no; I don't regret it. Scrap that. But I still didn't enjoy it.

    On the good side ... no, never mind about the good side. I've said enough already. But considering that I gave it 2.5 stars instead of only a half, there must be something there.

    Well, the music is nice. Perhaps that's the only really good thing, but I suppose I'm forgiving because there are worse films out there. Not to mention I learned two completely new things about my toes in those 190 minutes. Firstly, that the second toe is longer than the big one, and secondly that silver nail polish really does suit my "complexion" quite well.

    But really, jokes aside, this film is well shot, and despite the bad accents the acting is decent. Still maintain that Ralph Fiennes overacts though. Spielberg is talented but way too patriotic. A bit of neutrality (for those that might misunderstand, this means less patriotism and bias, not sympathy towards Nazis) would have been appreciated by this reviewer. Although I upgraded my rating from a 2 to a 2.5 because I guess I had been a little unfair the first time. Got a bit too patriotic myself.

    Generally, the reason I don't agree with the premise of this film is that it misinforms the less educated people. Surely, intelligent people can see that not all Germans were (and certainly are not today) the brutal Nazis that Spielberg is portraying. But from studying reviews from the slightly less informed, this film has given them the wrong impression about the German people. And this is my main problem - the fact that Spielberg did not bother to differentiate between modern Germans and the Nazis of the War era. He, as an intelligent man, should have predicted the effects on the uninformed.

    What could have been a great, thought - provoking, unsettling film is actually just a glitzy blockbuster. If you haven't seen it already (which is highly unlikely), you don't need to hurry. There's much better stuff out there dealing with the same/similar topic. e.g. 'The Pianist' with Adrien Brody.
  • gerrysilva
    February 9, 2010
    gerrysilva
    it simply moves you....
  • kicsially
    February 4, 2010
    kicsially
    What a great picture of the past, I have seen many WW movies but non was as realistic as this one. Fantastic job, fantastic acting. It is a movie that our young generation should watch, so we may know how lucky we are for not being born under those circumstances.
  • thaSushi
    January 31, 2010
    thaSushi
    Not really a movie which has my interest...
  • loesziejj
    January 31, 2010
    loesziejj
    Boring. I had to watch it for history and I thought it was very boring. Not my kind of movie. The story is realistic and good.
  • teeja85
    January 29, 2010
    teeja85
    Odlican, dubok i tezak film temeljen na istinitoj prici. Jos ne mogu virovat da nisam skontala da je Stern zapravo Ben Kingsley i jos ga vrtim u glavi zasto mi je tako poznat. Neeson me odusevio, a inace misan njega i Fiennesa da sam izludivala na pocetku tko je tko :D Cak nemam ...( read more)zamjerke na duzinu filma jer je ovako sve obuhvaceno, ispricano i pokazano.

View All Schindler's List Reviews

Critic Reviews

May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Schindler's List, despite blatant compromises, is a rending historical document. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

What is most amazing about this film is how completely Spielberg serves his story. The movie is brilliantly acted, written, directed and seen. full review

View more Schindler's List reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • IGnaz
    September 1, 2009
    IGnaz
    its very good that describe Jewish!
  • xXxHarleyxQuinnxXx
    March 23, 2009
    xXxHarleyxQuinnxXx
    LAAA I looove Ralph Fiennes in this! ya his accent might be a bit off but hey! the eye has such smoldering sexy eyes!! ♥it!
  • wolfjake16
    November 28, 2008
    wolfjake16
    trully inspiring... i always share this movie to my mates.... and they suddenly cry and felt happy for the survivors of the Holocaust....good for Spielberg!
  • Movieslug
    June 29, 2008
    Movieslug
    i dont understand how anyone could watch this and not be moved. a graphic portrayal of probably mankind's worst moments in history, yet hopeful for our future through people like oskar schindler. the movie itself made me weep, not only at the atrocities committed, but also at the times when something good happened just when it seemed no good could happen. my heart was heavy watching this, but i believe we all should see this to remind ourselves what we as humans are capable of. I myself am capable of gunning down a fellow human being in cold blood, or of treating a human less than an animal, yes in me there is that possibility, but in me there is also the possibility to do good in the face of evil, to give of all that i have to help perfect strangers, just because they are human like me. and it is because i know that Jesus Christ has given me that possibility, that i can watch this movie and still say, it is good.
  • zylaxtic13gryffindor
    January 20, 2008
    zylaxtic13gryffindor
    o c'mon... grabe, tutulo sipon nio! based sa WWII
  • Pygmalion
    December 26, 2007
    Pygmalion
    Can somebody please remove the deeply offensive remarks made by 'silent zombie'on this site. I see this person no longer has an account here but the remarks are still there for anyone to read.I am not Jewish or a cancer sufferer but I object to the comments and cannot find an option to complain about this person.
  • wmx7tx
    September 16, 2007
    wmx7tx
    Schindler's List is without a doubt one of the greatest movies of all time. Steven Spielberg put his heart & soul into this epic with excellent cinematography, set design, and costume design. The threesome of Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and especially Ralph Fiennes all give spectacular performances. This movie really tests the viewer with it's brutally realistic re-creation of the Holocaust. Spielberg never shows the point where Schindler decides to do what it's right and that adds to the complexity of this classic.
  • SilentZombie
    September 14, 2007
    SilentZombie
    a pile of shite id rather have cancer thn watch this again, its a sad film alright its sad hitler never finished his final solution
  • QueenOfSparta
    September 11, 2007
    QueenOfSparta
    this movie is so touching and sad:(
  • 3yutes
    August 8, 2007
    3yutes
    Spielberg's best movie ever. It is my all time favorite movie. The directing, the casting, and especially the music. All around it's gotta be the best Spielberg movie, besides Empire of the Sun, which I also love. Anyone who hasn't seen Schindler's List is missing out on true filmmaking
Post A Comment | View All Comments

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

View Larger Schindler's List Trailer

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Lord of the Rings
    The Lord of the Rings (49%)
  • Forrest Gump
    Forrest Gump (50%)
  • Downfall (Der Untergang)
    Downfall (Der Untergang) (77%)
  • Action Jackson
    Action Jackson (40%)

More Movies like Schindler's List

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
  • Tagline:
    The List Is Life.
  • Tagline:
    Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.
  • Tagline:
    The list is life. The man was real. The story is true.
Submit a Fact | View All

Schindler's List : Watch Free on TV

Schindler's List Trivia

  • what is the title of the novel on which the oscar winning schindlers list is based?  Answer »
  • in what film was the whole film black and white exept from a little girl in a red coat/dress?  Answer »
  • Steven Spielberg won two Academy Awards in Best Directing, for which two movies?  Answer »
  • Which movie had the ad slogan, "Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire"  Answer »
More Schindler's List Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Schindler's List Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Schindler's List to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

Thorninu Skin by Thorninu
206 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins