Thanks for all the rates - if you read one of my reviews, then I will return the favour! Would appr...
Thanks for all the rates - if you read one of my reviews, then I will return the favour! Would appreciate any reads of my Flashforward review - it came through too fast!
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==***Schindler's List (1993)***==
I watched this again the other night when it was on Sky. Even though I have seen it before and I know what is coming, I still find it a very powerful and thought provoking film. I think most certainly for young adults it is essential viewing. One day there will be no one left with first hand accounts of the type of atrocities that occurred and so it is a poignant reminder, so that we don't forget...
***Brief Synopsis***
This film is an adaptation of the book by Thomas Keneally. It tells the story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) who set up a factory in Poland, staffed with Jews, as a way to make money out of the war. It is his accountant Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley), who advises him to do this, as Jews working in factories supporting the war effort, are able to live outside of the ghettoes and are less likely to be sent to concentration camps. He is greedy and generally out for himself, until the war begins to take his toll on him and he develops a conscience. The film follows his transformation into a man without a conscience to a man who cares. The film follows how progressively the situation worsens for the Jewish
people at that time, in particular focusing upon the Jewish people who work for Oskar Schindler.
***Opinion***
I didn't watch this on the big screen; I remember being put off going to see a film in all black and white. When it came to dvd and the word spread, I realised that I had to see it and make my own judgement. I know that there are cynics out there who see it as a money making exercise, but I don't care. If it has even the slightest effect, in terms of raising awareness of the type of atrocities man is capable of, then I must have been a film worth making.
It is worth bearing in mind if you have any niggles or criticisms, just how difficult it would be for Steven Spielberg to tell this story in a manner that would please all. It should also be mentioned that as producer, he sought out many different people for the role of director, before taking on the task himself. He also received and continues to receive no personal remuneration for this film.
It may have used a certain 'Hollywood' style, but the fact remains that soon, it will be up to films and books like this to tell the story of what happened, in the hope that it is never allowed to be repeated.
The choice of black and white was so absolutely right. It wasn't just the use of this type of media that was so effective either. The use of lighting to create intense scenes, so that you almost held your breath was so subtle, yet so so clever. There are scenes when Oskar is one on one with a Nazi officer, negotiating for the lives of his workforce and it is the lighting of the scene which gives it such intensity, not just the black and white format.
Also the one splash of colour used - a little girl who was once so full of life, to be seen lifeless on a cart, was again so effective.
In terms of the acting, I cannot find one single fault. Of course, it didn't win all those awards for nothing. The three main leads were played by Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley. Liam Neeson lost out Tom Hanks for the Oscar that year, but his performance for me was flawless. He didn't portray Oskar as a saint, but captured the transformation from hard nosed business man to a man who cared with great skill.
Of course Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley were just as perfect in their roles. Ralph Fiennes I think portrayed the Nazi officer quite chillingly, with a certain kind of madness attached, as you have to believe people in his position must have had some degree of detachment from reality, to go ahead and commit the crimes that they did.
Ben Kingsley is of course a master and his portrayal of Itzhak Stern, (the man responsible for Oskar's financial affairs) was natural and portrayed in an understated kind of way.
The film completely captured the horrors of what went on; in particular the anguish of not knowing what your fate might be from one day to the next, even one minute to the next.
John Williams wrote the Oscar winning score and a true measure of a great soundtrack is one that you can hum afterwards and remember and this certainly fulfils this criteria for me.
There is also a very touching scene that the film ends with, but of course I won't mention what it is here, but it gives a different kind of ending and one which finishes the film off perfectly.
This of course is not an upbeat film, yet it is in my personal top five films that I have ever watched. I definitely recommend seeing it if you haven't watched it already. I would now like to read the original book to compare it to the film interpretation.
The film won the best picture Oscar in 1994, among others. It received a total of 7 Oscars.
You have to see it, if only to make up you own mind.
***Availability***
The film is certificate 15 and last for 195 mins. I am not sure of any extras, as I watched it on television. It is currently available for £15.58 from Amazon, which gives you some idea as to the quality of this film.
Summary: Has come in for a lot of critcism, but this was always going to be a difficult film to make.
Please note this is a review of the film only version. This review will also be published on Dooyoo and Ciao.com.
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Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Pat O'Connor - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over, 15 years and over - Starring: Geraldine O'Rawe, Colin Firth, Saffron Burrows, Minnie Driver, Chris O'Donnell
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Steven Spielberg had a banner year in 1993. He scored one of his biggest commercial hits ... more
that summer with the mega-hitJurassic Park, but it was the artistic and critical triumph ofSchindler's Listthat Spielberg called "the most satisfying experience of...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Steven Spielberg had a banner year in 1993. He scored one of his biggest commercial hits ... more
that summer with the mega-hitJurassic Park, but it was the artistic and critical triumph ofSchindler's Listthat Spielberg called "the most satisfying experience of...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Schindler's List, a Steven Spielberg film, is a cinematic masterpiece that has become one ... more
of the most honored films of all time.Winner of seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, it also won every other major Best Picture award a...
Steven Spielberg had a banner year in 1993. He scored one of his biggest commercial hits ... more
that summer with the mega-hitJurassic Park, but it was the artistic and critical triumph ofSchindler's Listthat Spielberg called "the most satisfying experience of...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Standout performances by Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes; Stunning John Williams sound track. Disadvantages: Spielberg's mawkishly overwrought, one-dimensional depiction, turns poignant historic subject matter into a pretentious melodrama.
29th_Candidate 04.06.2002 (04.06.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Schindler's List (DVD)
Advantages: Standout performances by Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes; Stunning John Williams sound track. Disadvantages: Spielberg's mawkishly overwrought, one-dimensional depiction, turns poignant historic subject matter into a pretentious melodrama.
29th_Candidate 04.06.2002 (04.06.2002)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Schindler's List (DVD)
![Schindler's List [DVD] [1993]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78490701.jpg "Schindler's List [DVD] [1993]")
![Schindler's List [Bonus Material]-DVD](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/103220220.jpg "Schindler's List [Bonus Material]-DVD")
May 6th, 2009
exceptional by (4%):
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![Schindler's List [DVD] [1994]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78519872.jpg)
