In September 1939, the German forces defeated the Polish Army in two weeks.
Jews were ordered to register all family members and relocate to major cities.
More than 10,000 Jews from the countryside arrived in Krakow daily.

The Jews arrive in Krakow. The film's opening, part of the exposition and one of its few color scenes, shows a close-up of a hand lighting two votive candles in a pre-war Polish Jewish family's home on a Friday night Sabbath. After the singing of a prayer, the family vanishes from view and the two Sabbath candles burn down. In a close-up shot, the candle's soft glowing flames burn out -- a symbol of the burning out of the Jewish people -- sending a wisp of smoke into the air. The smoke dissolves (and the film becomes black and white) into exhaust billowing from a trainload of Jews pulling into a station in Poland, beginning the Jewish persecution. On the train station platform is a single folding table with items for checking in the Jewish families - ink, stapler, stamp, and a list of names on a clipboard. At this point the first spoken word is said -- "Name." This scene becomes a visual motif which is repeated several times--each time with more tables and more lists.

Who is Oskar Schindler? Classical music on the radio is used as a transition from the train station to a room where a man is dressing in impeccable style and gathering money from various places. He places a Swastika button on his lapel. The camera follows this unknown man into a nightclub where Nazi officers are gathered. The gentleman buys drinks for the German's in order to become known to the them. At this point you find out that this gentleman is Oskar Schindler. Schindler is in Krakow to make money using cheap Jewish labor but he needs Jewish money to finance a company. He hires Itzhak Stern, a Jewish accountant, to recruit Jewish investors and laborers as well as manage the company. Stern arranges a deal with Jewish businessmen to purchase an enamel factory called Deutsche Emailwaren Fabrik (D.E.F.). Stern forges work certificates for people considered "non-essential" (people who aren't valuable to the war effort). Schindler bribes the German officers so they will buy his pots and pans.

Kommandant Amon Goeth, who is a dramatic foil to Schindler, is introduced riding through the ghettos where the Jewish people are divided into two halves -- Ghetto A for "essential" workers and Ghetto B for "non-essential" people.

Schindler as a Savior: Schindler and his mistress, out on a morning horseback ride, are looking down at the Krakow Ghetto when Goeth commands his troops to liquidate everyone in Ghetto B. Schindlers's attention is directed to a young girl in a red coat -- a small spot of color in a sea of black and white horror (available using RealPlayer).

Those Jews not liquidated are taken to the Plaszow labor camp under Goeth's command. Schindler, standing in his office, stars down at the empty factory floor and realizes the implications of the liquidation for his profitable business - his workers are gone. Schindler bribes Goeth and 500 Jews are returned to D.E.F. Word spreads that Schindler's factory is a haven for Jews. Schindler does not see himself as a savior but as a money-maker. After this point, unknown to others, Schindler tries to see that the Jews are treated more humanely (spraying boxcars full of people with water because they were dying from the heat). Schindler is even arrested for kissing a Jewish girl who brought him a present on his birthday. Goeth and others plead his case and he is released.

Schindler's List: Oskar learns that the labor camp at Plaszow was being shut down and that the Jews were being sent to Auschwitz (a death camp). To cover up the slaughter of Jews in the Krakow Ghetto, buried corpses were dug up and burned. Schindler sees the body of the little girl in the red coat being wheeled to the fire. (RealPlayer) Schindler realizes that he won't have workers for his factory so he decides to return home. On the brink of leaving with suitcases packed full of money, his moral conscience speaks to him. Oskar decides to attempt to save as many people as he can with his profits from the war. His motives unknown to Goeth, Schindler again pays the German Kommandant to let him have his workers for a new armaments factory in his hometown of Brinnlitz, Czechoslovakia. Schindler, in his conversation with Goeth says "Look, all you have to do is tell me what it's worth to you. What's a person worth to you?" Goeth replies "No, no, no, no. What's one worth to you?"

Stern's types while Schindler creates a list of 1,100 Jewish workers. This becomes Schindler's List. Sterns says to Schindler, "The list is an absolute good. The list is life. All around its margins lies the gulf." (RealPlayer) On the train platform at Plaszow, the workers on Schindler's List pronounce their names to clerks at folding tables with the list (motif). The men and women board separate trains to take them to Brinnlitz, however, the women's train was sent to Auschwitz due to a paperwork error. This is another motif, "Chose another person -- it creates too much paperwork." Schindler rushes to Auschwitz to rescue them where he again has to pay for their return. All the workers are reunited in Brinnlitz where Schindler produces ammunition that won't fire. Schindler tells Stern "If this factory ever produces a shell that can actually be fired, I'll be very unhappy."

"For the seven months it was fully operational, Schindler's Brinnlitz munitions factory
was a model of non-production. During this same period, he spent millions of
Reichmarks to sustain his workers and bribe Reich officials."

The End of the Holocaust: Schindler reminds a Rabbi that is Friday evening and that he should be preparing for the Sabbath (a forbidden ritual). In Schindler's office, the Rabbi and others sing and light the Sabbath candles -- the candles glow a reddish color in an otherwise black and white picture -- a symbol of rebirth of hope, life, and humanity for the Jewish people, a perfect counterpart to the candles that burn out at the beginning of the film.

The war ends and Schindler realizes that because he is a member of the Nazi party, a munitions manufacturer, and a profiteer of slave labor, he is a criminal and will have to flee or be arrested for war crimes. As Emilie and Schindler leave the factory, all 1,100 workers respectfully remove their hats. The Rabbi presents Schindler with another list containing signatures of all the workers vouching for his actions. Sterns hands Schindler a gold ring made from the filling of one of the workers that is inscribed (in Hebrew) with a saying from the Talmud, "Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire." Schindler breaks down, saying that he should have saved more lives. "This pin (his Nazi party pin), two people. This is gold. Two more people. He would've given me two for it. At least one. He would've given me one. One more. One more person. A person, Stern. For this, I could've gotten one more person and I didn't." The Schindlers flee. The next day, a Russian soldier comes to the factory and tells the Jews that they are free. They start toward Brinnlitz, walking free, marching to the tune of a Hebrew song.

A Tribute to a Great Man: The black and white scene of the workers crossing the open countryside dissolves into color and the actors/actresses turn into "The Schindler Jews today." Over 100 of the real-life survivors of the Holocaust are in a long line, accompanied by the actors who portrayed them in the film. In tribute, each of the present-day survivors places a piece of stone on the Jerusalem gravestone of Oskar Schindler. One rock is laid for every life saved. The last mourner, who lays flowers on the gravestone and stands with head bowed, is actor Liam Neeson.

The Actual Events: Oskar Schindler was known as a sharp businessman who was willing to take advantage of others' misfortune. Schindler was born an ethnic German on April 28, 1908 in Zwittau-Brinnlitz, Czechoslovakia (also called Sudentenland). The nearest neighbors were a Jewish Rabbi and his family, and the two sons became Oscar`s best friends. In his village he was known as "Gauner" which means swindler. Schindler was a member of the Nazi party and was recruited by the German Intelligence Agency to collect information about Poles. He was highly esteemed for his efforts - a fact that was to play a decisive role later in the war for Schindler when he needed all his contacts. After the fall of the Polish army, Schindler went to Poland in 1939 to capitalize on the misfortune of the Jews. He also wanted them to "invest" in his new business. After obtaining funding he opened a enamel factory in January of 1940. As the situation worsened for the Jews in Poland, Schindler's workers realized that they were somehow "protected." Schindler, himself, didn't let on to his employees what his intentions were but word got out.

Schindler would spend his evenings schmoozing with the Nazi elite. This easily covered up what he was doing to help the Nazi's "enemy." He would wine and dine them and tell them that he was "really getting the work out of Jews." Schindler always would say "Stop killing my good workers. We've got a war to win."

In 1943 the Krakow Ghetto was closed and the Jews were sent to death camps. The ones who were able to work were sent to a forced labor camp at Plaszow. After the liquidation of the Krakow Ghetto, Schindler stated "Beyond this day, no thinking person could fail to see what would happen." "I was now resolved to do everything in my power to defeat the system."

In the spring of 1943 Schindler stepped went into the active phase of his anti-fascist efforts. This meant conspiring directly with his accountant/manager Mr. Itzhak Stern. Amon Goeth, the Kommandant of Plaszow, was conned into letting Schindler set up a "sub-camp" for his workers. His excuse was so they could "save time getting to the job." This made it easier to smuggle food and medicine into the factory. When Schindler heard that Plaszow was to be shut down, he met with the Chief of the War Equipment Command of Poland. During this meeting Schindler mentioned using the Plaszow camp as a workshop for war production. This idea was implemented and Plaszow was converted to a "war essential" concentration came. The inmates were again saved from extermination at Auschwitz.

Stern had doubts regarding Schindler's sincerity until 1943 when Schindler was visited by an underground organization called the American Joint Distribution Committee. The Committee requested a report on the persecution occurring in Plaszow. Even though Stern thought this was too risky and resisted, Schindler ordered him to write the report. Stern's doubt about Schindler's integrity were answered.

Schindler and his wife, Emilie, shopped on the black market for extra food and medicine and allowed religious celebrations in the factory. The SS guards were bribed into keeping all this a secret. When the German forces were retreating, Schindler convinced the authorities to permit him to move the factory back to his home of Brinnlitz. Even though the Schindler's had had a large mansion placed at their disposal close to the factory, Schindler understood the fear his Jews had of nocturnal visits from the SS. As in Plaszow, Schindler did not spend a single night outside the little office in the factory.

Until the liberation in the Spring of 1945, Schindler used all means at his disposal to ensure the safety of his Schindlerjuden (Schindler-Jews). He spent every penny he had, and even Emilie Schindler`s jewels were sold, to buy food, clothes and medicine. He set up a secret sanatorium in the factory with medical equipment purchased on the black market. Here Mrs. Schindler looked after the sick. Those who did not survive were given a fitting Jewish burial in a hidden graveyard - established and paid for by Schindler.

After the War: When the war ended, the Schindler's fled to Argentina with a handful of his workers and bought a farm, financed by some of his Schindlerjuden. In 1958 he abandoned his land, his wife, and his mistress to return to Germany. There he spent half the year in Germany and the other half in Israel. The Schindlerjuden and the State of Israel supported Schindler and late in his life he was honored as a "Righteous Gentile" by the Israelis and invited to plant a tree in the Avenue of the Righteous. Later accounts have revealed that Schindler spent something like 4 million German marks keeping his Jews out of the death camps - an enormous sum of money for those times.Oskar Schindler died in October 1974, and is buried in the Latin cemetery on Mount Zion, Jerusalem. Approximately 1,200 Jews owe their lives to this single man.

Behind the Scenes: The director of Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg, has directed and/or produced almost one- third of the top 20 grossing films of all time. Before Schindler's List, most of his biggest hits, including Jaws to Jurassic Park, were family-oriented adventure type and "intellectually empty and emotionally thin," but Spielberg's provocative and inspiring Schindler's List was unlike any he has a made. This film was based on Thomas Keneally's documentary nonfiction novel Schindler's Ark, but the research involved in this film also went outside the book itself. Spielberg interviewed survivors and visited historical landmarks in Poland. Here Spielberg ran into Branko Lustig, who was a prisoner at Auschwitz, and became one of the producers for the film. There was also a major difficulty in adapting this novel because they didn't have the time to use it all. "The novel sort of suggested a progression, because it was what happened. I just had to… find a way of taking the novel, and not so much distill it, but just find all the moments that moved me the most and were the most informative" (Spielberg).

This film was shot on location in Poland including Schindler's original factory, his actual apartment, and the gates of Auschwitz. They used the interior of SS headquarters and the interior and exterior of the prison. The only thing that was recreated was the labor camp Plaszow, because the actual one had a 50-foot monument and a skyline nearby. "Mostly every place was authentic" (Spielberg).

One of the best composers in Hollywood, John Williams, created this films score. Williams is known for his work in Star Wars, Indiana Jones and dozens of others. The theme music was performed by world-known violinist Itzhak Perlman accompanied by members of The Boston Symphony Orchestra (RealPlayer).

Originally, Spielberg wanted to use Polish and German language and have subtitles, but he limited subtitles to occasional use to describe the time relating to events. The reason for this is that Spielberg wanted the audience to watch what was going on in the film and not get caught up with all of the subtitles. Although Spielberg did include some use of Polish and German Language, he did this "to pretty much show what it was like and what it sounded like."

Cinematography: This film, contrary to most of the films of today, was filmed in black-and-white. This cinematic technique proves valuable in this film. Spielberg and his cinematographer, Janusz Kaminski, are particularly effective at using monochrome to capture a mood of oppression: the humiliation of the Jews in the streets, the sudden worthlessness of conventional wealth and status, the realization that "it's not just good old-fashioned Jew-hating; it's policy now." In gritty black and white, the film achieves a remarkable sense of authenticity. The user of various motifs leant a common thread throughout the movie. In addition, the overlapping dialogue, parallel editing (Schindler and Goeth shaving), dramatic foil between Schindler and Goeth, the detailed shadows and light, along with gripping performances, all made this a rich cinematic experience.

World-Wide Acclaim: This film has earned many awards. The Academy Awards the film earned: Wins: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Art Direction/Set Decoration, and Best Film Editing. Nominations: Best Actor: Liam Neeson, Best Supporting Actor: Ralph Fiennes, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, and Best Sound. Surprisingly, this was Spielberg's first Academy Award for Best Director. In addition, Schindler's List was the first black and white film sine The Apartment (1960) to win the Best Picture Academy Award. In addition, at the British Academy Awards, Schindler's List won Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Score, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Ralph Fiennes).

Links to Reviews and Other Relevant Information:

• HBO Film Reviews
• Movie Reviews UK
• Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times)
• Washington Post
• IMDb Film Page

Critique: Martin Scorese was probably right when he turned down the chance to direct this film in the 1980s because he felt he couldn't do a good a job as a Jewish director. Steven Spielberg, in a major departure from the family-oriented adventure films for which he is famous, did a spectacular job of directing a serious biographical drama set in one of the darkest periods in human history -- the Holocaust. The making of this film took over a decade of preparation and it was well worthy the time spent. Schindler's List not only entertained but also educated and amazed millions of viewers with strong emotions. It's powerful scenes and insight into the actual events of the Holocaust left audiences sick with the horrors of the war. The realism captured in this movie, by using the actual locations and the names of real survivors along with the scenes of liquidation and burning of bodies, brought home to all the injustices shown to the Jewish people. You cannot watch this movie and not be moved and ashamed of the inhumanity done by the Germans, no matter what your nationality. This movie, although graphical in nature, would be an excellent teaching tool to demonstrate the monstrosities of war. Everyone should see this movie at least once and, once you have watched it, you will want to watch it again and again!.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is the film shot mostly in black and white? What were the advantages to filming these events in black and white? Color is used four times in the film. Why are certain scenes shot in color?
2. In this film, almost none of the Jewish characters we got to know well were killed. Why is that? Given the power of this film, what would have been the effect on the audience, particularly those whose relatives were murdered in the Holocaust, had this occurred?
3. Discuss in detail some of the cinematic techniques that stood out in this movie (visual motifs, parallel editing, dramatic foils, etc) and what their impact was on the film.
4. A student of the Holocaust said that "indifference" is the greatest sin and punishment of the Holocaust. Can you explain what is meant by this? How does this concept relate to the scene in which Schindler arranges to have the boxcars full of overheated Jews hosed down with water?

Page by Leisa Leisen, Katie Anderson, Jesse Stenseth, and Brooke Rice (H140, S2000)