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Previous Spielberg reviews:

• A.I. Artificial Intelligence
• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
• Raiders of the Lost Ark

Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.

# Review

In this historical drama, the story follows the actions of German industrialist Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) during WWII, who saved over a thousand Jews from the Nazis by employing them in his factories.

The noir cinematography by Janusz Kamiński is some of the best I’ve seen. The black and white colour pallet dotted with splashes of colour conveys both an elegance and highlights the horrors of the Holocaust. The scene of the shower is perhaps one of the most gut-wrenching shots in cinematic history. The soundtrack by John Williams is one of the most iconic violin film scores (I actually went to watch Itzhak Perlman perform this live).

This is perhaps Liam Neeson’s best role as he portrays Schindler’s subtle character development throughout the film. Ben Kingsley’s bookish Stern and Ralph Fiennes’ unhinged Göth are both foils to Neeson’s character and their interactions throughout the film demonstrate Schindler’s development. Fiennes’ Göth in particular illustrates a vileness above even the banality of evil.

While Spielberg probably took many creative liberties, the film portrays the terrible events which occurred as well as the sparks of humanity within the catastrophe.

# Conclusion

A devastating film that's expertly executed.

# Overall rating: 8.7

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