1 Unreal - but real!
Powerful, moving and thought provoking. I never wanted to see this movie initially, because I knew I couldn't sit still for three hours in a movie theatre. After all these years, when it finally came out on DVD, i'm so glad I did. It seems that a lot of people need to learn from this film that war for ANY purpose will never to justified if it costs the death of so many innocents. I usually like to review movies that I can make a little fun of, but this movie was so - well, there isn't any feeling you can describe after watching this movie. There nothing that any reviewer can tell you without ruining the movie for you. You'll understand after the movie. It's no wonder Steven got the oscar for this one!
2 Spielberg shows us a different type of movie here.
This is Spielberg's best effort as a director of all time! A great movie with black and white segments and color touches throughout! His directing is superb and the cast is outstanding! Liam Neeson Heads an all star cast in this well developed epic whic by the way won Best Picture and gave Spielberg his first ever oscar for his outstanding directing job! Spielberg shows us all a different type of movie here that has never been filmed before. It is entirely filmed in Europe.
3 A Film to Remember
I watched Schindler's List several weeks ago, but many of the images still keep coming back to me because it is a very powerful movie that stays with you. I can recall vividly as the young Jewish engineer was shot because she had the gall to suggest a change in the construction of a building. I can still see the scene where Schindler tricks the commander into spray the hot cattle cars with water so the Jews trapped inside could get a little relief. There are many more scenes that will stay with me for years to come.
I first viewed Schindler's List to show to my advanced English as a Second Language high school class after they had read Anne Frank: A Diary of a Young Girl. I knew that it would help them get a deeper understanding of World War II and its atrocities. I was right. From the moment the movie began, the students were mesmerized by this film. They didn't even complain that it was in black and white. The horror the film depicted kept them interested and wondering how and why such a thing as the Holocaust could ever have occurred. The film made an impression on them. When we resumed watching the last part of the movie after Spring Break, I asked them if any of them had thought about the film over the break and some of them had. It's not always that high school students will admit to mulling over something that they have been doing academically!
I believe that this film tells volumes about the Holocaust that sometimes history books just cannot make real for students. I recommend this dvd to anyone who wants to be moved by the wonder of humanity (as in such a man as Oskar Schindler) and to anyone who wants to help others understand the atrocities of the Holocaust so that such a thing may never happen again to anyone.
4 OK , but not the best holocaust film I've seen
Perhaps my reviewssuffers because I have seen movies like the Pianist and Life is Beautiful, both of which present moving, brilliant stories of human triumph during the Holocaust.
Schindler's List is a league or two beneath the above two movies. I wasn't moved at all. The horrors of the camps and Nazi motivations have been better depicted, as have the courage and suffering of the Jewish people.
The characterization is forced and not subtly developed. Their changes seem manipulative. The emotional moments seem manipulative.
The Holocaust itself is a moving subject matter and context for any film. So, I expect the director to do more to create a storyline to dramatize the horrible genocide and the lessons about life gleaned by the characters.
I don't think Schindler's List does that well enough. This is the only Holocaust movie after which I did not cry. Frankly, I was glad the hollow viewing experience was over.
But again, I have seen two very very superb Holocaust movies.
For true cinematic, non-manipulative art on this subject matter that teems with humanity and not just obligatory scenes, please view The Pianist or Life is Beautiful.
5 It was alright
First of all I'm sick and tired of hearing people complain about the two-sided disc. I wasn't any happier about it, but all I had to do was get off my lazy butt and change the side. That aside, I just finished watching the movie and I thought it was pretty good. I don't know how acurate it was, but Oskar Schindler was a good man. He was the only one who seemed to care enough about the Jewish people to try to save them. Yeah, he made them work for very little wages in his factory, but it was better than being shot in the back of the head. I wouldn't consider buying this movie, but I would suggest renting it.
6 One of the Best Movies of All Times
This is my favorite movies of all times. While the subject is terrible, the redemption of Schindler is amazing to witness. The soundtrack for the movie is beautiful. This movie made me sob, but shouldn't we? This really happened.
7 A powerful experience
I will not discuss the plot of this movie in this review, but films like this do make you realize how far is man capable of going to harm other men. The holocaust was one of the darkest episodes in human history and this film does not hide any of the cruelty and the suffering that happened during that event. Do I recommend this film? I believe every person alive should see it in order to understand what we must prevent from ever occurring again. This film is also about redemption, the redemption of Schindler and how a man can change during terrible circumstances. This movie is a classic - Stephen Spielberg masterpiece and one of the most touching films ever made.
8 More than 5 stars
This movie leaves everyone who sees it speechless. Even if you think youve seen it all, this film gives you a new view on WWII. You'll see the horrors of the holocaust yet see the compassion of a man who chose to give up his dreams to save the lives of so many. Its a film worth having.
9 Everyone should see this movie
This is a film that everyone needs to see. I would argue that childen should see it, too - those above say, the fifth grade, perhaps. This is Steven Spielberg's golden movie. He should be proud of what he has done. What an achievement, and what pressure he must have been under to give this glimpse into history its proper treatment. He pulled it off with flying colors and he will go down in history, as will this movie.
10 The Most Heart-Wrenching Movie Ever And Steven's Best Film!!
Steven Spielberg's ("JAWS," "Indiana Jones Trilogy" [fourth one coming soon], "Jurassic Park," "E.T.," "Jurassic Park II," etc) adaptation of Thomas Keneally's moving account of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson, "STAR WARS Episode I," etc; in the role that should've garnered him the Oscar for Best Actor), war profiteer, womanizer/Nazi party member and his fight to save as many Jews as he could from the Holocaust. The movie also stars Ralph Fiennes (brother of Joseph) as the evil Amon Goeth, exuding pure malice as one of the most sadistic German captains of the evil Nazi regime (should've won Best Supporting Actor; no disrespect to Tommy Lee Jones, who won for "The Fugitive.") Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley ("Ghandi," etc) also stars as Itzhak Stern, Schindler's secretary. The movie is very sad in its hard-hitting account of the suffering the Germans put the Jews through during "Six long years of murder" and the man who fought to rescue them. The movie was filmed in black and white, not only because the violence would have been too graphic in color, but because that was Steven's vision of the film. The film's most poignant moments came at the end (I'm not spoiling it). John Williams' magnificent and heart-wrenching score (accompanied by Itzhak Perlman's heart-felt violin solos) resonates with you long after the end credits roll. Recently honored at the Kennedy Center Honors, Itzhak Perlman played John Williams' score from "Schindler's List" after saying a few things, looking up and saying "John, this one's for you," before a medley of his most popular film scores was played ("Raiders Of The Lost Ark," "E.T.," "Superman" and of course, "STAR WARS"). Special features include a "Voices Of The Holocaust" documentary hosted by Steven Spielberg, cast and crew bios/credits and more. What's really lacking is a making-of documentary, cast/crew interviews and trailers. The film earned the seven Oscars it won in 1993, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Score. The DTS 5.1 track on the DVD is excellent, as it allows you to experience the grittiness of the picture exactly as Steven intended. The anamorphic widescreen enhances the quality of the picture even more. This movie is DEFINITELY NOT FOR CHILDREN!! Rated R for intense thematic elements involving the Holocaust, graphic violence, disturbing images, language, brief sexuality and nudity.
11 Left me depressed for weeks
This is truly one of the most powerful films of all time. ONe cannot help but be impacted by the raw reality that Spielberg reveals. Liam Neeson is the character whom Spielberg wants us all to be identified with. Neeson's character, underneath all the the seemingly inpenetrable disguise which he puts on, has a soft heart. This is especially seen in the scene whcih he drops to his knees and weeps knowing that he should have done more to save lives. Spielberg intertwines authentic Holocaust footage with personal character studies. THis is truly one of the few films that will not only stay with you many days after it is seen, but prompt you to do a little heart searching of your own. ONe cannot be unaffected by the showing of this absolute disregard for humanity and the atrocities which was committed by the Nazis. Spielbergs central character, Schindler, is one whom he and we all can identify with. Throughout the film, we can feel and understand every action and emotion which he goes through. The final scene in whcih some valuable stats are provided will absolutely shock you.
12 Bad packaging
I am extremly dissappointed by amazon.
Im from Germany and ordered this Box few days ago.
I got the Gift Set today and the case was damaged.
Amazon should use better packaging for Items like that when they send it to Europe.
I hope i will get a replacement for that.
Movie 5 Stars
Amazon & Packaging no Stars
13 Spielberg's greatest accomplishment
Stephen Spielberg's "Schindler's List" is probably one of the best movies ever made; that it is the best 'Holocaust messege' movie goes without saying. It is the real life story of how Oskar Schindler, a German industrealist, started a cooking utility plant in WWII and used Jewish slave labor to make more money off it. But eventually he had a change of heart and used all his influence, his con artist-like skills, and his personal fortune to rescue some odd 1,000 Jews from Nazi death camps. Spielberg wants the film to feel as authentic as possible, so it was shot on location in Poland and it was shot in black and white (this is one of the few times I support B&W films after the 1950s.) The violence in the movie is gory, but never gratuitous; it shows the brutality and madness of the Nazis and their complete and utter indeference to human life brought on by years of hateful and racist attitudes. The cast is indeed exceptionally brilliant. As Schindler, Liam Neeson plays Schindler at first as a snake charmer, an oppertunist who sees his chance. He is never played as purely a saint. He is also a womanizer and has no problem with profiting on slave labor. But after the Krakow Ghetto Massacre (which Schindler and his wife witness) he has a change of heart and decides to simply use all his influence to save as many Jews as he can. The final scene of him braking down at his car, figuring up how many lives his car could have saved was a very powerful moment; a lesser actor would have blown it. Ben Kingsley has the monumental task of being humble in the face of descrimination and abuse. Kingsley plays Itzhak Stern, a Polish Jew that Schindler hires to run the day to day tasks at his factory. His is the quiet hero, the brains behind the plan (not that Schindler has no smarts, it's just that Itzhak has the purity of heart). So, with these two fine heros, who is the villian? Well, that would be Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes). He is the commander of the labor camp that Schindler gets his workers from. He is the extream example of Nazi hate and violence, able to thoughlessly order a woman's death who was arguing to her guard about how to lay the foundation of a barracks floor, even though she was right. He also uses Jewish children for sniper practice on his balcany. Fiennes plays Goeth with an insainity that I believed in all the way. This is a pretty brutal movie, as the subject demands it must be, so use caution when showing it to your children. But this is an important movie, and Spielberg should be very proud of it.
14 A remarkable testament to a brave man
As someone who is not European or Jewish, I will leave comments and criticisms about certain facts or depictions in this movie for someone who "knows the territory" better. As an involved movie-watcher, though, there can be no doubt about the picture itself: Steven Spielberg's SCHINDLER'S LIST is, and perhaps always will be, a remarkable testament to a brave man, one who found it in his heart to take all the money he had made during WWII and use it to try to save hundreds of Jews from mass extinction at the hands of the evil Nazis.
You wouldn't know that Oskar Schindler would become such a revered man in history the way he is in the early stages of the war. He is rich, he is a womanizer, and he is only concerned with making money. That's why he sets up his munitions factory in the first place: to make money for himself, to profit from the war. It is only later, when the Jews who work for him are to be sent to Auschwitz, does he do something truly selfless and heroic: he uses his charm and knack for bribery to try to save the Jews who had worked for him from inevitable extermination. One of Spielberg's great achievements in SCHINDLER'S LIST is not necessarily that he sticks with Schindler and shows him going through his change of heart---in fact, his change of heart is comparably sudden, as depicted in this film---but that he does it so subtly. Schindler sees and hears terrible things, but Spielberg and screenwriter Steve Zaillian (adapting from a book by Thomas Keneally) never try to beat it into our heads or over-sentimentalize things (as Spielberg is wont to do in some of his movies) with extraneous voiceovers or any such cheap devices. Spielberg trusts the material, as well as his lead actor, Liam Neeson, to basically tell itself, to make its properly sobering effect on the viewer without the need for slobbering hysterics.
In fact, I am tempted to say that SCHINDLER'S LIST is not necessarily just about Schindler himself. Schindler's story is typical "triumph-of-the-human-spirit" stuff; what makes this movie special is that Spielberg is attempting to honestly portray the experience of being a Jew in the hell that was the Holocaust---how friends can turn on other friends all in the name of survival, how neighbors can suddenly become enemies, how people can lose their sanity and become heartless murderers...and even how one man can rise above the madness and do a heroic deed, as Schindler did. In trying to encompass as much as possible of the Jewish experience during this terrible time in history, Spielberg has created a film that is probably one of the most complete, all-embracing portraits of the effect on personal lives of the Holocaust that I've seen or read (although I don't claim to be an expert on the subject, by any means).
That, and it is as invigoratingly dramatic a movie as you could want from one that runs for a little over 3 hrs. Spielberg retains some of his instincts as an entertainer, and he also has the brilliant editor Michael Kahn on hand to make sure that this movie is always paced judiciously---this movie never drags. And he coaxes a great, charismatic, authoritative performance out of Neeson, one that helps you realize how he was able to get his way during the war (and why many women probably found him attractive, hehe). Ben Kingsley is no less impressive as his loyal accountant Itzhak Stern. And Ralph Fiennes, as the evil Nazi Amon Goeth, gives a surprisingly fascinating performance; Fiennes never downplays his character's baseness, but neither does he overdo it either---there's always something convincingly human (if nothing necessarily redeemable) to this monster.
SCHINDLER'S LIST is not a perfect movie, but perhaps perfection is too much to ask for for such an ambitious work. I must admit, though, that I occasionally winced at some of the film's more heavy-handed gestures. The worst offender is a scene towards the end, when Schindler starts to sob about how he felt he didn't do enough while Stern blatantly extols the virtue of his act. Spielberg cannot resist trying to milk tears from his audience at that point, and the result strikes me as false and perhaps a bit out of character for the normally stoic (at least on the outside) Schindler. And, to be hypercritical, I suppose I would have preferred John Williams' score to be a little less obviously solemn all the time, as beautifully as Itzhak Perlman performs the impassioned violin solos. (Spielberg rationed the use of an underscore in his 1998 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, an approach that might have worked here, too.)
There is so much to honestly praise about this movie, though, that those faults hardly matter. SCHINDLER'S LIST is a motion picture that does full justice to such a harrowing subject and a remarkable act of bravery. This is a must-see if I've ever seen one (and believe me, I rarely say that about a lot movies).
15 When the talent and the commitment join its forces!
You have a spectacular masterpiece . It will seem you exaggerated from my position , but never before in Hollywood you could watch a peaceful , artistic and extraordinary well made film , with detailed minuteness , intelligence and good taste .
The cast is simply superb . Liam Neeson gave the performance of his life as Schindler the man who broke in his business but helped more than one thousand Poland Jews from being exterminated Ben Kingsley is the conciliate factor and obviously what else can you add to this actor who actually is one of the twelve giants actors in the world . And finally Ralph Fiennes who grew up one thousand steps with this role as an abominable and hated Nazi all along the film without falling in overacting .
The locations in Poland are first rate , the sinister atmosphere, the ravishing handle camera , the splendid photography and a fine script make of this film to my mind the Best American Film of the Nineties , one of the three most ambitious and compelling films which dealt with this theme and the supreme masterpiece of Steven Spielberg .
And this happens only when the camera is an eye in the mind of a poet .
Spielberg followed his bliss and won for ever . You can forget all his previous works , because with Saving Private Ryan , Spielberg has been one of the few directors capable to give a tragic and epic vision of the War in less than a decade among both films. .
Pitifully these giants films are not the rule but the exception .
.
16 Great Movie, Substandard Presentation Case
The movie is, obviously, moving and powerful. Nobody should doubt that the movie itself is other than exceptional. However, the "special edition" features are laughable and are hardly worth the extra money. First of all, Spielberg makes no commentary. How can the director of a movie of such epic proportions remain silent? Secondly, the "plexiglass" display case is cheap and shoddy. I have seen three of them so far and all of them have multiple cracks in various places that were not, obviously, the result of mishandling in shipment.
Save the money and buy the normal version.
17 Reliving WW II Over Again
I am sure if survivors of WW II seen this movie, it would be like reliving it over again. Even in black & white the movie was very realistic and true. The partial color portion of the movie helped add the effect and told you a little something about Mr. Schiendler himself and how good of a man he was.
18 I Liked It
Personally I liked this movie very much. Really gets you thinking about what happened to so many people and the people who tried to help. My mother, who teaches this time period in high school, doesn't like the movie because there were so many other people who did so much more than Schindler. She feels they picked the wrong person to do a big movie on. I do agree, but I still liked the movie very much.
19 Holocaust as Family Drama, Awful Junk
This film is very empty, for not only does it portray the Germans as "evil, lop-sided, devil worshippers" but it shows the Jews as being "promising, alluring, good guys". If one is to question morality, then do so, but do not give us the black vs white issue found in this film. Speilberg, immature since day one as director, tells us what to think, he strips away our humanity by overdosing us on excessive amounts of guilt and sentimentality. In effect, the film lacks any moral basis except to denounce all evil men and with that, we learn absolutely nothing.....
20 Done as well as it possibly could have been
This film is based on a book, and in that book, unbelievable depth is given to many many characters. Relationships are explained and families traced back and forth throughout the various cities and camps. One movie could not possibly replicate the depth of the book. In saying that, Spielberg has done a tremendous job capturing the emotion of the book and highlighting some relationship in order to tell the story. This movie should not be missed, not only for the story told, but for the artful use of black and white film-making and the emotion is conveys
21 A Magnicificent, Extraordinary Tale
A facinating tale that makes you almost cry. I am definatly not the type of person who gets teary-eyed over dumb movies. This is a haunting tale that brings out the horrible truth of the Holocaust. And the part that really strikes you when the credits start playing is that this is all 100% real.
People de-humanized simply because they were born Jewish, who are stripped of their reasons to live. But even greater then that it shows the strength of the human spirit when one truley has the will to live. And the strength of one man, Oskar Schindler, a sinner destined for hell, who steps up and puts his life on the line to help innocent men and woman who face almost certain death.
In the end, when Schindler obtains the gold ring, in Hebrew is inscribed a proverb that should never be forgotten.
22 A Cinematic Gem
It is rare for a craft or a form of art be taken to its utmost potential. Limits are easily reached in any discipline or pursuit, but to take it to its highest potential is rare and commendable. Schindler's List is one of those rare works. It is the account of millions of lives woven into one story, if that is possible. This is certainly that attempt, and it is a noble and courageous one.
23 GIVE ME A BREAK!
I think making Liam Neeson break down at the end and cry like a WIMP completely ruined what was an otherwise fine film. Spielberg just CAN'T stop his hackneyed emotional manipulation, and I had to turn my face in embarrassment when Schindler starts weeping like a baby. UNBELIEVABLE. The black & white cinematography is superb. The recreation of the horrors then were quite convincing. You would think that given the subject matter, Spielberg would FINALLY relent and record a commentary track. But no such luck. His problem is that he can never "get his story straight", and thus would stumble with his multitude of contradictions. Want an example? Close Encounters. He, the DIRECTOR, gave differing accounts of how he got the little boy to react inside his house when he hears sounds at night. Look it up, you'll see.
24 Maybe Spielberg's finest........
Every so often a movie comes along that really gets to you. It's emotional, informative, and entertaining at the same time. "Schindler's List" is the story of Oskar Schindler. A nazi businessman who ends up saving the lives of thousands of Jews during WWII. If you are a movie fan at all, you have probably seen this movie before, if not multiple times. So, I won't re-tell the movie, but if you haven't seen it.....go purchase this DVD right now.
This movie is amazing. It's so brutely honest and engaging that I can't even explain it. I am not Jewish, but I can only imagine how moving this movie would be if I were. It made me laugh, cry, and almost sick during the 3hr. time frame. To see what the Nazi's would do to the Jews during the holocaust was just insane. I couldn't imagine human beings doing that to other human beings, but Spielberg puts it on film for us to see. Like I said, this film is not only entertaining....it's educational. It teaches you how evil the human race can be and I obviously hope nothing like the holocaust ever happens again.
I think this maybe Spielberg's best work. The film looks great, sounds great, and I have already raved about the movie itself. It's shot in black and white, which I think was an excellent choice. I would definately rank this up there with "Saving Private Ryan" as Spielberg's best two movies. Go get this flick.
Special Features: Not a ton of stuff here, but what is here is really good. There is a documentary (called "Voices From The List) about the survivors of the holocaust. It is almost exclusively made-up of interviews with the survivors. Very good and moving stuff. Then there is the "Behind The Shoah Foundation with Steven Spielberg" featurette. The last feature is featurette about Oskar Schindler. Like I said, not a ton of supplements, but what's here is very good.
25 WOW
Nominated for twelve Oscars, it combines fantastic acting from Liam Neeson in the title role, superb direction from Steven Spielberg and the best film music of all time from John Williams. The sequence towards the end when Schindler bursts into tears is bound to have you weeping like a new born. If you haven't seen it yet then do yourself a favour and do so. You'll be treating yourself to one of the most beautiful, brutal and moving films I have ever seen.
The acting, directing, and script was all really great! Liam Neeson was the best part about this movie, though. Even though he isn't my favorite actor, he still put on one off the best performances I've ever seen in a movie. He was great! Liam Neeson is one of the best actors ever! The story is really good, too. It's history with meaning, but it still makes a really good movie. If you aren't sure still whether or not to see it, GO SEE IT! I'm telling you it is truly one of the best movies you will ever see!
26 A dedication
Oskar Schindler was a maverick Sudeten German industrialist, who put his life and livelihood on the line to save 6,000 Jews from the Nazi death machine.
This is his story, but not his story alone. It is also the story of the 6 million Jews who perished in Hitler's holocaust, and the 6 000 who where saved by Oscar Schindler.
The movie is masterfully portrayed, and was indeed true to the book by Thomas Keneally.
It is three harrowing hours about the unspeakable horrors visited upon the Jewish men, women and children who Hitler and his Nazi Party had decided had to die.
The images that take place in the movie will stay in your mind forever.
The antagonist to the compassion of Oscar Schindler (Liam Neeson) is the sadistic monster, the SS Commandant Amon Goeth. Schindler and Goeth are both members of the Nazi Party in high standing, who mixes in the same circles, and both make splash at the debauched Nazi parties held at Goethe's villa. But their reaction to the merciless slaughter is diametrically opposed. It brings out the man of compassion in Schindler, and the psychopathic demon in Goeth.
During the liquidation of the Warsaw ghetto, we see even the difference in their mistresses. After Schindler and his mistress Ingrid have gone for a morning ride, they observe from a hilltop the horrors the SS are visiting among the Jewish population of the Warsaw ghetto. And Ingrid visibly upset says " Oscar, let's get out of here"
Goeth on the other hand is taking pot-shots at the Jews on the streets below with his hunting rifle. His mistress Majola, simply sighs and says `Amon, you are such a dammn child.' irritated that she has been woken by the gunshots, and that she is not receiving Goeth's attention, but completely cold to the slaughter going on around her.
But two scenes stood out most in my mind.
That of as beautiful Jewish girl child, of about four years of age, in a bright red jacket, which is the only colour plate in the black and white movie. Schindler observes this angelic child making her way through the crowds of Jews who are being herded out the ghetto by the Nazis. We see the little girl hiding under a bed, terrified, and that is the last time we see her, before we see later in the movie, her mangled little body, being wheeled to the crematorium on a trolley, identified by her red jacket.
The story of the little girl in red made me think of another child. A beautiful and vivacious child, who was murdered 60 years later by Arafatian terrorists at Adura in Judea, as she hid terrified under her parent's bed-Danielle Shefi.
G-D bless the lovely souls of the angels - the little girl in red who died at Auschwitz, and of Danielle Shefi, who died at Adura. . G-D bless the souls of all Jewish children murdered by the enemies of the Jews and of Israel.
The other scene that brought tears to my eyes, was at the end of the movie where the Schindlerjuden march in the direction of Israel singing a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Yerushalayem Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold), before we see the Schindlerjuden and their children and grandchildren, in real life, placing stones on the grave of Oscar Schindler at the Christian cemetery in Jerusalem.
This movie must be shown to all high school students, so that they can be equipped to answer so many questions that are thrown at us today: Why did the Jews not rise up? , Why did the Nazis do what they did? Why did the people of Europe allow it to happen? Why do we need the State of Israel?
We are living through a time when the same hatreds are rising again. Hatred of Israel is the new form of anti-Semitism that has shown it's hideous face again. I look at the scene, near the beginning of the movie, where the Jews are being herded into the ghettoes , and a young Polish girl of about 11, is shouting `You bad Jews, you bad Jews'.
And I think of all the anti-Israel demonstrations taking place today, where the same voices of hate, and bloodlust are being raised.
27 Life Changing
I have never actually seen this movie, but my friend ed(not his real name...security reasons...I think you understand....whatta you mean if you really loved me you would tell....why do you always have to bring that up? Look I told you, it was a scavanger hunt! Nobody was too upset, the only one who really dwells on it is you; and you weren't even supposed to see that), anywhoo, Ed said this movie was really good. And trust him (finest sonuvabitch to have in a foxhole with you). One time he told me about this place that served Italian Beef that was the best ever. Well I went there, and it was good but not great. So I get home and I say hey ed, it was pretty good, but what the heck? Well turns out I had gone to the wrong place, so I went to the actual resturant that Ed had recommended, and it was dang good. So the moral of this story is TRUST ED! Also, if you happen to find a day planner at this restaurant..it's denim, got a picture of a kitten on it and says hang loose. Tell me.
28 Out of his depth, yet Spielberg delivers
Steven Spielberg never met a human emotion he couldn't trivialize on film. Applied to the Holocaust, this inability to convey deep and complex feeling should have sunk this film. Luckily for us all, Spielberg was delivered from cinematic ignominy by a superb cast and story.
Spielberg uses "Schindler's List" to tell the story of the saving of hundreds of Jews by one man, and the Shoah in general. While I commend him for taking on this difficult and important subject, he is the wrong man for the job. Spielberg often shows us scenes that should horrify us, but don't. Watching the Nazis line up a group of Jewish men, then shoot into them should convey the helplessness of the Jews and the sadism of the Nazis. Instead, by preventing his cast from interacting with the scene, he allows it is to play without emotion. Spielberg's fascination with shooting people in the head becomes more a study in the ways that human bodies react to being pierced by bullets than a study of the grotesqueries and randomness of genocide.
Liam Neeson's portrayal of Oskar Schindler is what gives this movie the weight and heft that otherwise elude Spielberg. Neeson's Schindler is a rich, charming goy, willing to go with the political flow to make a few more dollars from whichever regime happens to be in power. Neeson does underplay Schindler's roguishness, I believe, which is a bit of a disappointment and an inaccuracy. He is already a *mensch* when the film starts and doesn't have far to go in his transformation in the face of Nazi horror. Yet his basic humanity, which eluded so many others during the war, allows him to save many.
"Schindler's List" succeeds because of its story and on the performances of its cast. Liam Neeson, as noted, is superb. Ben Kingsley is masterful in his portrayal of bookkeeper Itzhak Stern. Ralph Fiennes delivers a cool and controlled portrait of German commandant Amon Goeth. This was a movie that had to be made. Though Spielberg was not the ideal man to direct it, better to have an imperfect depiction of the Holocaust than none at all.
29 journey to 1940 Nazi land
An extremely well made film and very stylishly shot in black and white. O.K. in the wrong circumstances people act like pigs and innocents suffer as a result. It's hard to know how much of this film is a literal account of Schindler and his saved souls against how much is an adaption to get across particular points. In some ways i think this film is a bit sanitised in wee ways but by and large it doesn't pull too many punches and i'm sure is kept reasonably accurate within the constraints of presenting a cinematic story.
Off the extra's, both documentaries are excellant but you can't help wanting to know more about the man, Schindler, given some of the survivors memories of their interactions with the man, What he did and how he did it, what happened to him after the war and last but not least the pictures that are shown of Schindler, what a charming humanitarian he seems. As good as Liam Neeson is in the role, he doesn't seem even close to the magical enigma that is talked about and shown in some pictures in the extras.
All in all a great film, with it's own dream like atmosphere, that pulls you into the tragedy of how mad the human psychology can get, and the levels it can sink down to, and how high it can reach against all convention.
30 Never forget and never compare!
Please be intelligent enough if you are going to watch this film. I had seen so many idiotic letters for this review and so many complaints about the flip DVD and its packaging. These people seemed not to talk whatever about one of the true purposes of this movie. That is, some people can have their conscience developed so that they can make a positive mark in this world. And if enough people became like this, willing to risk everything to join the fight against evil, this world would be in better shape. I'm sure that all the people who were so downright negative did not know that Speilberg used so much of his time and money after the movie was made to create and develop an enormous project to make sure that the memories
of the Holocaust will be kept alive in part by taping as many Holocaust survivors all around the world about their stories during the time when this world was turned upside down. He knew a permanent record will be needed since there are less and less Holocaust survivors as each day passes. For the people who say that since the Holocaust happened 6 decades ago, and thus there is no reason to remember this singular madness (1933-1945), all that I could say is that by ignoring the past and therefore not learning about it, it can happen again. That is, state sponsored satanic ritual abuse to Jews and others regardless if they were infants, children, or adults of any age. And the ways they were all murdered should haunt decent people forever.
31 A Masterful Presentation of a Terrible Story
For one reason or another I just got to see this DVD over 10 years after the movie release. I just watched the movie 3 times in a row to soak in all the details. Just a masterful and historic movie, but emotionally draining.
I have read many books on the Holocaust and seem many documentary films, and that is one reason that I never saw the movie or DVD. Frankly, I thought there would not be that much new to see, at least for me personally. In some ways I was correct, but it is a compelling movie.
It is a time compressed story of the horrors of the Holocaust and it shows many of the disquieting details such as Jews being used as police to lead their own people, and their cooperation with the German authorities to generate the vast census lists on Jews, all done passively and then used later in the mass extermination process. We see the terrible camps, the Jews in denial, the confiscation of property, the trains, the lines, the separation of children from families, the crowding, the absolute terror, and the gas chambers. We see the indifferent and jeering Germans - out of touch with their own humanity. For those perhaps younger it gives a clear and simple picture of the human tragedy and the complete breakdown in human behavior and norms in Germany in the 1930' through to 1945.
The thing that impressed myself was the way Steven Spielberg was able to craft a compelling movie that could hold our attention for a long period about such a morbid subject. Liam Neeson was brilliant in his performance of Oskar Schindler, as I expected he might be and he dominates each scene in which he acted. The surprise for myself was the almost equally outstanding performance of Ben Kingsley playing Schindler's manager, the quiet an unassuming Itzak Stern.
This is a moving and emotionally draining story of a small success among the many failures of a society gone mad, crafted with a lot of skill, attention, creativity, and I assume a work of love by Spielberg.
32 Should have been better
i love this film but can't say the same for the DVD. The Dvd just looked cheap. There's no art so it just looks like one of those rewritables. Should have been on two dvds. Then theres the awful cover which is just made from paper material! Just after opening the cellophane wrap i got fingerprints all over it. The cover should have been the traditional plastic. If the marketers really wanted paper, they should have put the paper over the plastic cover like how Beauty and Beast is done. This is arguably one of the greatest movies but the dvd edition does not come close to doing it justice.
33 Haunting, Powerful and Humbling
Watching this film has a profound effect on me every time I watch it. The thought that only 60 years ago, people were capable of committing such abominations towards their fellow man.
The genius of this film is that it allows you a glimpse of what life might have been like if, instead of the people portrayed in the movie, people like ourselves were living in german occupied territory during WWII. The lack of hope and humanity that these people had to face every day truly humbles the viewer.
I find that when I'm watching this film, the question that reverberates through my mind - is simply WHY? Yes, it's a film; yes, those are actors you are watching; YES THAT REALLY HAPPENED! 6 million people were slaughtered at the whim of a mad man, they were treated as though they were lower than animals, just for their beliefs.
I thank Steven Spielberg for deciding to make this film, and realise that it must have been a somewhat harrowing experience to dredge up this murderous experience. It allows not just Oskar Schindler, but other's like him, to begin to get the recognition they deserve; and those who COULD have done something and didn't can hang their heads in shame.
This movie helps to show us that one person CAN make a difference, but who can honestly say that they could be as courageous as he was in such a terrible time?
This film is the best I've seen in years. It gets you where you live because, if we entertain for a moment the thought that the Nazi's had won the war, that or something like it would probably have been in store for us, if not for men like Schindler.
34 So sad!!
This movie is one of the saddest I've ever seen, but its necissary to watch this movie. It shows you the most truthful portrail of the Holocause yet. We watched this movie in English, and i can garintee that more the half the class cried at one point.
When i read things like:
--we watch this every christmas eve before we put the children to sleep. It is a wonderful family oriented comedy.--
It makes me want to cry. I'm not jewish, but the Holocaust was the worst thing to happen this whole century... Who could say somthing like that!? This is a terrific movie becuase it tells the truth about somthing we need to know, so that it never happens - ever - again!
35 Lest we forget...
Steven Spielberg on the holocaust. Naturally the kids are cute even as they are diving into the excrement-filled waters of the latrine to hide from the Nazis. Schindler, played believably by big, handsome Liam Neeson is a sweet womanizer who exploits Jewish labor in his factories and then feels guilty about it and ends up saving the lives of eleven hundred. Ben Kingsley plays his accountant with precision and his usual subdued intensity. We have again all the Nazi horror, in some ways worst than ever. Here we see a lot of the random shooting of people. The Nazis just use them for target practice or blow their brains out just to be doing something. The cattle cars are there and the gas ovens and the Nazi psychopaths and all the rest of it, although Spielberg adds some touches like Ralph Fiennes as the Nazi who kept a Jewish woman he was interested in but couldn't love or even rape, but could only beat. And among the guards who are herding the Jews along are a couple who smile at the kids, as though Spielberg is saying, "here is this juxtaposition: the horror of the most degraded and inhuman acts known to humankind, but look even the monsters think the kids are cute."
We humans ought to have our face rubbed in this at least once a decade. Still I think the actual concentration camp footage seen in, for example, Sophie's Choice (1982), to which Spielberg owes something, is as effective as anything could possibly be. When I see those films, shot by the triumphant Allied forces, I am again reminded that just concluded was the most depraved and horrific episode in human history. Nothing we have done was worse than the holocaust, although Stalin's purging of Russian society ranks a clear second. I think the fact that Spielberg filmed the whole thing in black and white and then turned it all to color with the shot of the actual Jews (now middle-aged) that Schindler saved from the Nazis was an unconscious tribute to the power of those grainy, flickering shots of horror, part of the legacy of the twentieth century. Perhaps it was a bit stagy, in the usual Spielberg style; however I have to say showing that one little Jewish girl's red dress (the only bit of color in the movie until the end) was a striking touch: we see her in the red dress when she hides and then when they dig up the bodies we see it again.
36 ''Whoever saves one,saves the world entire.''
Winner of 7 Oscars,Schinder's List is clearly Spielberg's masterpiece!From the first scene untill the final shot,this film will have mesmerized by the brillant performances,the haunting score by John Williams,and the great story that is so moving that you'll burst into tears.Overall,truly one of the best films of it's kind. I recommend this film.
37 Excellent!
This has to be one of my all-time favorite movies. Few movies show you the true horrors of the holocaust as effectively as 'Schindler's List'. You can read about it all you want, but you never really know what it was like. 'Schindler's List' helps you understand a little better. The black-and-white cinematography added to the effect wonderfully.
38 Schlinder's List
This film from Steven Spielberg was shot in black and white and is very effective as a film to portray what happened to the Jews in Germany/Poland etc.. from the ghettos to the concentration camps. The film is very realistic in its portrayal and the environment of that time in history of the 1930's and 1940's. This is a film that you may only want to watch once. It is an excellent film. The acting is very good, the reality of the killings is very graphic. The cinematography is excellent. The only reason I think that is a film to viewed once or twice in one's life is due to the depressing nature of the film. I think it is a film that younger generations (teenagers and some people in their 20's) should see because many are coming out of school without even knowing who Adolf Hitler was and what he had done. I think it's important that they see what occurred so a repeat of history does not happen. This is an important film, but not necessarily one you want to view over and over again.
Some other reviewers on this forum start bringing up that "other genocides occurred in history" and how come only this one is made into a film. I'm afraid folks that Spielberg didn't make an all encompassing film to include all of the past atrocities that happened in the past 1000 years. He focused just on the Holocast. Also it is just pure ignorance to deny that 5-6 million Jewish civilians were killed/murdered. Even if it was 10,000 Jews, it does not make it any better. It doesn't really matter if they were Jews or any other religion. The fact is that 6 million PEOPLE who were civilians were murdered. They were Germans, Polish, French and many other nationalities. It just happened they were of the Jewish faith that was targeted by the Nazis(Jews were used as a scapegoat to blame all of Germany's economic ills as a country on. The Nazis also killed and murdered gypsies too. The people (men, women and children) killed were white people (Jewish is not a race. It is a religion).
Actual documentation of what the Nazi's did is on film shot by British news cameras as the American and British soldiers entered these concentration camps throughout 1945. Disease was rampant in these camps due to all the mass graves and thousands of bodies that were left to rot (by the Germans) as the British bulldozers needed to bury these corpses. My father and grandfather were in the 2nd World War as part of the American and British invasion of Germany and witnessed it first hand. That's enough proof as far as I am concerned. Yes. Not all Germans were bad people, but there were enough of them to throw the world into a World War in 1939 and to allow this to go on just a few miles from their towns and villages.
This is a good film. Good coverage of a very bad time in world history.
39 Well done and an important story, but overhyped
The Spielberg hype machine was in full tilt when I saw this movie. I can't tell you how disappointed I was by this film. It seems to borrow from "Night of the Generals" and has none of the Holocaust reality of "Shoah" that was later projected in a truly great World War II film, "The Pianist".
I think my personal disappointment about this and other Steven Spielberg dramas is shared by my opinion of Tom Hanks dramas. I simply don't think these directors have what it takes to be great dramatic directors -- a large slice of terror, pessimism or negativity in their personalities. I think they are too sunny and that sunshine cannot be hidden, even in topics like the Holocaust. For me, "Schindler's List" is not a great film and does not compare to the great World War II films. I think it compares to "Night of the Generals".
40 one double-sided DVD
I bought the DVD and was stunned to see that it was a single disc that I was forced to turn over to watch the rest of the movie. This was reminiscent of my laserdisc days when I was constantly getting up to turn the disc over. Mind you, there are actually two discs in my package, but the second contains extras. Steven, if you're reading this, you know better than the rest of us that it costs just pennies to produce another DVD and save those of us with DVD changers the labor of turning the disc over.
Aside from that, the movie moved me like no other I have ever seen. It is powerful, poignant and raw. Like I have heard and read, there were times when it seemed as though I was being directed in my emotions, rather than presenting an unbelievable time in history as fact and letting me feel my own emotions. There is no doubt that the holocaust was one of the single worst events in human history and Steven has done an amazing job of sharing the life of Oskar Schindler and the Schindler Jews.
41 That's not entertainment
Watching "Schindler's List" is a bit like identifying the remains of your child, or witnessing an execution. In a word, devastating. I happened to see this movie in a three-generation family group, at a theatre, and on leaving we witnessed a well-dressed, dark-haired, middle-aged woman exit the theatre, prop herself up against a utility pole and sob uncontrollably. You don't witness a scene this after the average blockbuster like "Dances With Wolves".
In the car on the way home, my father, a World War II veteran who was at the liberation of Belsen concentration camp, said "The feeling I have is anger against the Germans ... I've seen the real thing and now I've had enough. No more for me." I recalled the little girl in the red coat, and tears involuntarily streamed down my face.
You can read reviews, right here at this site, that testify to the widespread resentment of the Jews and their alleged conspiracy to steal everyone's money. "The Jews control banking and the media", they argue. "What about other massacres like the Alamo? Don't they count?" As the late Jack Benny used to say, with the left hand propping the pensive right forearm, the other hand cradling the right side of his deadpan face: "Could I have a moment to think about that?"
"Schindler's List'' is carefully and expensively made propaganda; as such, it violates the creative principle of suspension of disbelief and is not a whole work of art, nor is it a documentary, like Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of the Will". It is, like all of Spielberg's work, supremely manipulative, with outstanding performances by Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson, and an over-the-top, self-righteous performance by Ben Kingsley. The overall product leaves viewers with their emotions not only wrung out, but also strangely compromised, and very few are likely ever to watch it a second time. The medium of entertainment and the message of genuinely righteous anger do not play well together.
42 Not the best Special Edition one can expect, but still...
Although this 5 time Academy Award winning film certainly gets a beautiful presentation on disc, I both do and do not understand the complaining of the DVD presentation of Schindler's List. But first, let me discuss the benefits of the disc first.
The picture here is impressive, although there are noticeable flaws. The 1.85:1 anamorphic picture showcases excellent detail and rich black levels; at times the picture looked so good I thought that the movie was remastered by Lowery Digital Services. But then minor flaws show up, such as excessive grain and minor print flaws (such as in the sequence where Schindler Jews are calling out their names, I spotted a vertical line). Flaws aside, the picture is still beautiful and Janusz Kaminski's photography is put to good use here.
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 Surround. All Dolby and DTS tracks give a sense of place to the film, and while the tracks aren't bass-heavy, they fit the movie's tone perfectly. It demonstrates excellent stereo separation and bass response, all the while not calling attention to itself. The two-sided disc cuts down on cost, and the menus allow one to access each part of the DVD with considerable ease. (The movie is also given French and Spanish spoken languages and subtitles, while the extras have optional subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.)
Now, the disadvantages. I know people were expecting an extras-packed version of this movie, but we only have two real extras included; the "Voices From the List" Featurette and "Behind the Shoah Visual Foundation" Featurette. Both are good extras detailing the various stories recounted by actual Schindler Jews, and while these are substantial enough, I had the feeling more could've been added. If Spielberg were to do commentaries, I would appreciate one done for this film, and the addition of the theatrical trailer would help too. Inclusion of those two extras would've added much more to the DVD.
Still, quibble about the extras aside, the disc release of this film gives newcomers a chance to be introduced to one of Spielberg's greatest cinematic achievements ever made, with great picture and sound. It may not always be easy viewing, but the impact it leaves is indelible and unforgettable. For fans of Spielberg's work and this movie, this disc is a must-have, despite the slim extras. (If you're intent on having more, the gift set is a viable option. Along with the DVD, it also includes a booklet, the movie's soundtrack CD, certificate of authenticity, a photo still book and a Plexiglas keep case.)
43 For Jew and Non-Jew
This film is incredible, those are the first words that come to my mind when I hear the name. This film shows the incredible commitment of a man to a cause he believed, with great possible risk to himself, even though it didnt directly affect himself nor his family. This film has guided me in my own religious walk as well.
44 Chilling..but Amazing
In "Schindler's List" you see the evolution of a man and the events of the Halocaust. Wile the story is both haunting and chilling, the style of this movuie also stands out. It is almost completely black and white, except for a few objects. There is a little girl dressed in red which will touch your heart as she strolls through the streets full of violence, completely unnoticed. The cinematography and acting are also amazing. Both Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes were nominated for Oscars. They both give great, but different, performances.
45 Good way to draw attention!
I Suggest offering this movie for free for the people of Israel. May be someone there can get ashamed from himself and try to do what Oskar Schindler did for their ancestors to the besieged Palestinians under their brutal occupation and horrible "new" fence.
46 Sorry for any English mistakes, but...
(...) First of all: Schindler's List is a very very great movie, not about the history itself, but the score, visual effects, etc. The reason from a black-and-white movie is from "smooth" all the blood scenes, because Steven did not want a bloody movie at all. And the movie has many cenes with people being executed. Second, Steven already thinked about doing this movie since 1982 (when universal pictures bought the rights from Thomas Keneally's book). But he didn't considered yourself growned enough as director to make a movie such like this. But, in 1992, shocked with the ethnic clean-up on Bosnia and seeing the Holocaust being forgotten by the coletive memory, he decided to do this movie. Schindler's List is not a "marketing" movie, is a movie made from people REMEMBER, because if the Holocaust will be forgot, this will be happen again. Because there isn't many visual archives when the concetration camps are in activity. All the brutal activies made by those (...) nazis was discovered after the war is over. And many people even believed that the Holocaust actually happened. And movies like this keep the public memory alives. Of course, I have to agree that the movie wasn't realistic enough, Steven completly forgot about the christians and others "minories" genocide. Besides, there isn't one scene with jews fighting back against the nazis on the ghettos. In the movie, the victims are very very passive, but even with those details, the movie is wonderfull. From the American History guy: what the hell are u think? Do you really think the each nation have to learn the history about their own nations only, and that's it? If everybody will think like you, we're gonna have a very stupid generation on the next years... I'm not saying that American History is not important, but try to expand your horizonts a little bit, darling.
47 Blood Money
I've seen the television broadcast, but here is why I
will not buy this DVD:
1. Blood money: Why should any organization, person, distributor profit by marketing stories about genocide? I don't see anyone marketing stories about the American Indian Holocost, the Holocost of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge, nor Stalins Holocost of 20 million countrymen. Why is this particular sliver of history written and broadcast again and again, but other historical events are ignored entirely? Same question goes for cop/lawyer/investigative/who-do-it TV broadcasts that dominate network television.
2. Frustrating: Why didn't these people fight back? Why not die fighting and at least take out a few enemies on the way out? This is more a story about the demise of "Fish in the Barrel"
and "Kittens In the Drowning Bag".
3. Relevance: The Nazi pograms Did NOT Happen IN THE UNITED STATES. American history is not European history. So why is this stuff marketed daily to American consumers??? Why didn't they build the Washington D.C. Holocost Museum in Europe (Poland in particular), where Europeans can learn about their own history WHERE IT HAPPENED?? Why are these DVDs on every retail shelf when I can't even find DVDs about the American Revolutionary War in my local store?
I suspect the answer to all questions resolve to three simple explainations: Money, Money, and Money. Dumb American consumers
with plenty of disposible income, hungary for violent motion pictures, and entirely ignorant of world history; they love this kind of stuff.
48 No enough explosions
This is a true-to-life war movie like "Saving Private Ryan" and "Kelly's Heroes." The only problem is that for a wartime pic there aren't enough explosions. It's about the persecution of Jews and some guy who cared enough to write a list. Director Steven Spielberg is Jewish and helmed this exercise in self-indulgence. I mean, Schindler was an O.K. guy but this is the movies and I want more explosions. So if you dig explosions, you'll find more elsewhere. Also, Spielberg was too cheap to use color film stock and the movie is in black and white. Explosions look better in color anyway!! Private Ryan had explosions.
49 Truly...A Gift
This review refers to "Schindler's List - Collector's Widescreen Gift Set"(DVD)...
Well over a year ago, long before The DVD editions were released, I wrote a review of this wonderful film. It's a film that goes beyond the awards and beyond any meaning a 5 star review has. It was one of the most moving expereinces one can have from a cinematic work. I don't usually go in for the "gift sets", and most of the time the special features is not what I base my buying decisions on when shopping for a DVD. When I saw what was offered in the "Schindler's List" Gift Set, and at such a reasonable price, I knew I had to have it. So this review will concentrate on just that..this marvelous package deal.
The set includes a beautifully transfered edition of the film to DVD. The film looks immaculate. The black and white images are sharp and clear. The sound gives you the choice of DD5.1 or DTS 5.1. I viewed it in the DTS..and wow...fabulous surround sound. It may also be viewed in French(DD5.1) and Spanish(DD5.1). There is English captioning and subtitles in Spanish and French as well. The disc is two sided and must be turned over about half way through the film. There are also several very informative bonus features found on Side B of the Disc(see buying info for complete list). The music for this film, composed by John Williams is a very big and emotional part of this film. The CD of the Soundtrack is also among the gifts in this package. It sounds wonderful on the stereo as you relive all the moments of the film. So already this package is well worth it for those who love this film.
There's more...A hardcover book with 70 pages of stirring images of the film, another 6 pages of productions notes, and a foward by Steven Spielberg is included. Keep looking, you'll also find an Actual Film Frame from "Schindler's List", a certificate of authenticity, and it all comes exquistly packaged in a plexiglass case(DVD and CD in their own beautiful case), with names from 'the list' engraved on it.
This Gift Set truly is just that... it is filled with the most wonderful gifts for those that have been so touched by this cinematic work of art depicting a man who defines the word human, during one of the most horrifying chapters in world history. I usually recommend going with the less expensive editions for those not interested in all the frills, but not in this case. This is a must have.
For those looking for a summary of the film itself, there are many wonderful reviews here. If you would like to read mine, you have to go back a ways, as it was written on March 7, 2003.
Thank you...and enjoy this great treasure....Laurie
50 confussed
ok the film gets 5 stars, its spielburgs best film but wot the f*k is with the dvd. im sorry but i believe lord of the ring the return of the king was on one dvd, but this is just as long as it and its black and white!!! so why cant this be put on one dvd. shamfull!
51 CONSCIENCE: THAT SLENDER EMOTION THAT MAKES US THE SAME
Unlike the glossy schoolboy fantasies from outer space that make up a bulk of Spielberg's roster, Schindler's List is a work of unsensational realism, resonating with clever observation from start to finish.
When I read the film's decription, I thought it'd be a collection of scenes about the Holocaust. And I thought, big deal. But the movie has some very vivid, poignant moments. There are enough characters, enough motivations, enough idiosyncrasies to make the screenplay rich enough to keep us always involved. Yet, the director does not shy from the humanity of the bad guys and the shortcomings of the good ones.
Ben Kingsley makes for a fabulous fidgety character, ever so worried but in a palpable outwardly manner. Liam Neeson as the pivot is very convincing. But the cake I feel goes to Ralph Fiennes who mastered the European accent of English to such perfection that I almost scorned him as a true soldier of the war. His casual demeanor while shooting a couple of workers in the camps from his balcony was a sight to behold.
BUT the most stunning thing about this movie, as it unfolds, is the pang of conscience in a simple man that made all the difference in the lives of so many. The gruesome scenes of the lives lost in the dastardly "war" is etched in my memory, and the number of people Schindler saved was impressive, but the thing I remember having being touched MOST by is how such an imperfect man found himself doing something so perfect.
All in all, despite the undeservedly featureless DVD that Universal has slapped this movie on, it must be a prominent part of every movie collection!
52 Mixed Reactions.
'Schindler's List' is probably Steven Spielberg's most mature film and is one of the most acclaimed, most talked about films of the last ten years. The German Holocaust is an extremely sensitive subject (mainly because the media has made it so; there were many other holocausts throughout history, just as bad if not worse than the German one) and Spielberg handles it about as delicately as a entertainer can. There are moments of undeniable power and will likely bring tears to most people's eyes, if it hasn't done already.
What is lacking in 'Schindler's List' is depth of character and their psychology. The movie suffers from being too one-demensional; all the Germans (except Schindler) are protrayed as demonic, blood-thirsty, trigger-happy monsters who having nothing on their minds except murder. During World War II, this protrayal might have some truth, but it is certainly not as one-sided as this movie shows. I refuse to believe an entire nation would have this mentality, no matter how much the media would like us to believe. All the Jews, on the other hand, are innocent and fragile, like scared puppies, shaking and trembling over the evil Germans. Once agian, there is truth behind this protryal, but I refuse to believe it was as one-sided as the film shows.
Certain moments are touching, graphic, and moving; the Liquidation of the Jewish ghetto, the buring of the dead Jews from the ghetto, the seperation of the children from their mothers at the camp, Schindler's final farewell to his workers at the end. All of this is incredible filmmaking, but there is no depth behind it because we don't know anything about anybody. In many cases, a Jew is introduces, and then is quickly killed. There is no Jew who is fully developed, except Ben Kingley's character, and even his character is clumsily handled. This is my biggest complaint about 'Schindler's List'.
Yes, the German Holocaust was awful and is one of the great tragedies of the last century. Yes, horrible things were done to the Jews, and coming generations should be educated about it. Yes, 'Schindler's List' is about changing heart of a cold businessman, but showing a movie where radom characters are being brutally murdered who we know nothing about means nothing, no matter how graphic or violent the filmmaker tries to make it.
53 Genocide protrayed how it really was.
I am a high school history teacher. In preparation to tackle the horror of the Holocaust to make it understood to 15-16 year olds, I read countless accounts and texts on the subject. I had seen Schindler's List in the theater before I had much knowledge of the subject and was moved. Seeing it after my research, it is true to history. Steven Speilberg is, obviously, brilliant. Students in my classes where moved to tears (even a couple football jocks) and gained a clear understanding of the blind hatred of an ethnicity. I show the movie and only could show it on VHS. To be able to have the DVD quality and ability to easily skip past the brief sexual scenes has increased this film's impact in the classroom. Not a movie to watch with the family on a night of fun but a necessary film for all people to see. History is our best teacher and Schindler's List teaches us a very powerful lesson.
54 Outstanding Motion Picture
We know this motion picture has been out for some time, it is an outstanding film about World War II and the Holocaust.
You are not going to need me to tell you how good this picture is, you should have already seen this. However, if you have not viewed this Picture, then you must see it ASAP. Buy it, rent it, borrow it, get it anyway you can. This is a must see motion picture that is a true story with great acting.
55 Finally Out On DVD - A Must Own For Everyone
Well, where to begin? Usually I can twitter on for pages about a product, but this is a tough one. Well, let me start with my opinion that Schindler's List is the best film ever made, and deserves all the critical praise it has received. Never before have I seen such an emotionally powerful film.
I am the grandson of a man who, at the age of 14, was trapped in a concentration camp, before later escaping through some miracle. He wasn't Jewish, but lived in Russia and was hauled off one day when he found out that his father had been dead for months, even though he continued to receive letters from him. He later discovered the letters had been written by the Nazis, and sent to him as a cover up. He refused to talk about his experiences, even until his death in July 1996, so I have always tried to find other information about this dark period in history through sources such as books, films and documentaries. I first saw Schindler's List a few years ago, but never watched it all the way through - until recently.
Schindler's List revolves around a true story of Oskar Schindler who helped save the lives of more than a thousand Jews from a terrible fate. In the film, Oskar Schindler is a well-known Catholic, drinker and womaniser who is just in the whole extermination process to make pots of money at the expense of the Jews. He only cares about himself, and is more bothered about his public image than anything else. With all this behind him, he is hardly a man who thinks about...until he starts spending more time at the concentration camps. As the true horrors of the Holocaust unfold, his conscience changes dramatically until the point where he is willing to do anything he can in his power to save 1,100 Jews.
Liam Neeson is absolutely amazing as Oskar Schindler. I cannot think of any other actor than him to play this part. He pulls off the role very effectively and professionally, considering the subject was so hard to pull off. The perfect counterpart to Schindler's character is that of the evil German Nazi commandant Amon Goathe. Played by the remarkable Ralph Fiennes, his character is one of pure evil. The man is demonic, heartless and totally frigid. He has no care for anyone else but himself, and has piercing eyes that will no doubt have been the subject of millions of nightmares. Continual praise is essential for Fiennes, as it must have been very hard to re-enact some of the scenes that caused so much shock and terror throughout the world.
Ben Kingsley is also wonderful as Itzhak Stern, the Jewish man who works as Schindler's accountant. He doesn't have much of a large part in the film, but that all changed when he is needed to type up Oskar's list of people to save. The entire cast consists of more than 30,000 extras who give amazing performances as truly terrified Jews, giving the film a very real feel of what actually happened.
The way Schindler's List is filmed in black and white is perfect. This gives the film a documentary style, which is just the way director Steven Spielberg wanted it. There are only a few colour segments, but these are put to optimum use in making the viewer take note. The most famous of these is the one where Schindler sees a little girl in a red coat running away from the Nazis. He continues to watch her escape, until he later sees her on a pile of bodies awaiting cremation at a concentration camp. He is truly shocked. Spielberg is expressing the horror of the Holocaust here by saying that not even the young and innocent are spared. There are some truly shocking and disturbing scenes in this film, but all of which are brilliant in their tried ways to describe what actually went on. There are many random killings for no apparent reason at all.
This Special Edition of Schindler's List is truly one of the most essential DVD's you could ever hope to own. The movie is, in my opinion, the best I have ever had the pleasure to view. The emotion on display just blows you away, and to own the Special Edition is a great advantage for DVD fanatics. The extra features include:
- Movie soundtrack
- Book
- Senitype from the film
- Voices From The List documentary
- The Shoah Foundation Story With Steven Spielberg
- Cast and crew
- About Oskar Schindler
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
Schindler's List is my all-time favourite film and is definitely one that all young people should see. It's different for me because my grandad went through almost everything that is in this film, and that makes me think of him as someone very heroic and courageous. While not a film you can watch again and again, Schindler's List is one that will change you and your views on the supposed idealistic world that we live in. It makes you realise how cruel society can be and how far it is possible of going if we let it. Buy this film now - you'll see things totally differently after watching it.
56 a long time coming.
Schindler's list stands alone as the most important movie made about the holocaust. No other film comes close to it's message and delivery than perhaps Roman Polanski's "Pianist". I first saw "Schindler's list" when I was in middle school and what I saw capitivated me and sparked a desire in me to learn more about the subject. My history classes up until that point had mentioned the holocaust but never provided me with any indepth or important information. "Schindler's list" is excellent in depicting the brutality in which the Germans operated. The Germans exterminated whole towns, used jews as target practice and made them strip naked and run laps like cattle, but most importantly the movie shows how we can change ourselves and do whats right. Whatching Mr. Schindler change though the movie is touching and inspiring. A once petty and corrupt man who plans to use jews as slave labor, Schindler begins to question his morality once his witnesses the horrors of the holocaust first hand. Although many questions about Schindlers character have been analyzed and debated even before the films release, I stand ferm with my respect for what he did. He as been criticized for not doing enough. I say at least he did something. I can't say enough good things about this movie. It is definitaly one of the greatest achievements in modern film making.
57 chill out
Hey Maxhazard, chill out, M R Hocker was only expressing an opinion. You might not like it but keep your arrogant head on!
Maybe he wasn't aware of the situation over there-here we can use PAL or NTSC films on our multi region players. Do try not to be such a tool.
58 NTSC vs. PAL
This posting is in direct response to the post placed by: < M R Hocker from London United Kingdom >
First off "pal", pardon the pun, but you are a complete buffoon! DVDs in the UK, yes that includes england, are all region (2) encoded. Well guess what Einstein, in the U.S., all DVD Players are programmed to play DVDs encoded as region (1). So, your bloody little UK edition of `Schindler's List' would not play on the DVD Players here.
Secondly, with the exception of computers but not as a primary, there are NO primary applications of the PAL Formatting currently in use here in the United States. Many DVD Players here that are little more than a year old or older & even some new ones will not properly recognize the PAL Format (the European Format) because all commercially/mass produced movie-DVDs in the United States & Canada are created in the NTSC Format. Just as most all of our related A/V equipment that it would be played on, is programmed to run the NTSC mediums as well. Further, let us not forget that a 3rd type of Format called SECAM is also used in Europe (France). Besides, which type of PAL Formatting are you using?? Throughout Europe there are many different *types* of PAL Formats currently in use...*A, B, I, H, G*, so-on & so-on...
Thirdly, there is no definitive proof, in the old debate, that either the PAL (at 25 fps - frames per second) or NTSC (at 30 fps) Format is any better than the other. The sole reason we have ALL these various Formats everywhere is quite simple, marketing strategy. This is the case basically because unique marketing styles were developed & are in use in different parts of the World. It's actually really quite simple indeed; get off of your british bum & swap-out, instead of flip-flop, your two sad little region (2) discs. And if you require anymore cheeses to go with that whine of yours, I suggest that you "secam" in France "pal"!
59 Hollywood's best movie!!!
Steven Spielberg has brought us the most touching movie we have ever seen. Its breath taking, beutiful and its the best movie I have ever seen. Its a movie to remember us what a human being is all about. No movie has ever impact me before, but this movie not only impact me, but it opened my eyes and changed me forever.
60 Get the 2 disc UK DVD Schindlers List
I too had a copy of this DVD and was annoyed at the flipping over of the disc. However if you get the UK release of SL you will find the film spread over two discs and each one has a picture disc on it. Plus it's PAL which offers better picture quality than NTSC.
61 Great
The life of war profiteer Osca Schindler during WW2 is played out, with a few inaccuracies, in this now epic movie. Liam Neeson and Ben Kingsley excell in their roles and Ralph Fiennes brings out his best acting skills playing a ruthless sadistical camp commandant.
People who still deny the Holocoust really need to view this film.
It is long but worth it, and surprisingly for such a dark movie, has small bits of humor just enough to get you through.
62 The Greatest Film Ever Released...
Schindler's List tells the story of one man's defying struggle to help the suffering Jewish during the Nazi reign of WWII. Widely considered to be Spielberg's greatest film ever, this doesn't go without a reason. Every frame of Schindler's List is breathtaking, beautiful, and sometimes horrific. But if there is a perfect film out there, this would be it. This epic features amazing performances from every cast member, and unbelievable performances from from Liam Neeson and Ben Kingsley. (...)
The best part of Schindler's List is how you feel as if you fit into the film. It's not just a story about Schindler, but a story that actually makes the viewer feel as if they are a part of the (...)Nazi world. You feel pity for the Jewish, feel hatred for the Germans, and feel sadness for Oskar Schindler.
Spielberg obviously took time to make every frame feel as important as the next one, and they are all terrific. From witnessing the liquidation of the Warsaw Ghetto, to the horror of the gas chambers, every part of the film is an epic. If only every film would follow Schindler's List's lead, the world would have a perfect cinematic experience. But a movie such as Schindler's List is so rare and few between, that you shouldn't expect to feel this moved ever again. A moviemaking masterpiece!
63 Schindler's List
I can't not explain how well this movie was done. Though the horrors of the Holocaust are not something that is taken lightly I can still say that this is one of my favorite movies of all times. The story that this movie tells is not only sad, but very powerful and gives a great account of what people had to go through during the Holocaust. I believe that this movie should be viewed by all high school students in history classes so they can get a semi-real feeling of what people went through during this awful reign of Hitler. I'm glad a DVD version finally came out.
64 Excellent DVD treatment of one of the finest films ever made
I remember waiting years to see this film on a DVD transfer, and I'm disgusted with reading the complaints about the dual-sided single DVD that requires you to flip the disc half-way through the film. Is that all you people can come up with to judge one of the most coveted releases on the DVD format?
Let's talk about the technical merits of the DVD presentation. The video and sound quality are superb; this is certainly the finest treatment this film has ever received and for the price of what Amazon is offering, the Collector's Gift Set cannot be beat. Because this film was so late in getting released, no doubt it has had the benefit of better restorative methods to preserve and enhance the original print. If anything, we should also thank the studios for releasing this film with the Collector's Edition the same time as the standard widescreen release, instead of trying to force the consumers to double-dip on two different versions.
The price of this set at Amazon clearly beats any B&M store in the country. I haven't seen a single person criticize the video and sound quality, the CD soundtrack, the book or limited senitype, and if you are a true collector only that should matter. The plexiglass case is prone to cracking (most likely due to being dropped during shipping), but is clearly a defining piece to your DVD shelf.
Regardless of what you think of this film, this is one of the finest (and cost-friendly) Collector Edition sets ever released, period.
65 just mind blowing
This is a remarkable movie about a remarkable man with a willingness to raise some human dignity out of rubble. The contrast between Schindler's cool and collected warmth for human life and the dark, cold times of WWll Germany in which he had to function is so engaging to me.
Steven Spielberg is a genius - ok - that's just restating the obvious but usually I cannot watch movies this intense without needing a break. I could not take myself away from this one not the first time or the several times since that I've seen it.
66 double sided discs are great
I think double sided discs are a great idea. Prevents waste and is more portable. I do agree that having the movie in two parts suck but for that I blame the public, not the movie company. If people weren't so overhyped about DTS, there would be no useless DTS soundtrack on the disc, leaving enough space to fit a three hour movie in there. Even George Lucas does not believe in DTS and for that, I applaud him. Dolby Digital works for me, especially since it is backwards compatible and can be downmixed to normal stereo.
PS. My Canadian release had a security sticker stuck to the inside of the fold out case, beneath the disc tray. They should make the trays so that it has an indent to accomodate the security sticker instead of ruining the packaging.
67 Try to forget you're an 21st Century American for a minute..
..... and stop whining endlessly about the quality of your material goods. It's highly ironic that you're meant to be reviewing a film that spends 3 hours showing you that you're lucky to be alive and free, and the only thing some of you are doing is criticising the packaging of the DVD. God forbid you should have to get out of your recliner and flip the dvd over half way through. Talk about missing the point! Geez!
68 Plexiglass Case Extremely Poor Design
No need whatsoever to discuss the merits of the film itself, it's a masterpiece in every sense. But after purchasing and returning a dozen of these gift sets, always due to cracks in the plexiglass case (check the corners and spots where the metal dowel rods connect), I've given up on getting a perfect one...even though each one I bought was at more than twice the cost Amazon has now dropped the price to (possibly because they hope to compensate for the near-certainty that you'll receive a cracked plexi-case). I'd have expected a bit more thought to go into the engineering of a DVD collector set of this long-awaited release.
69 Great Film-Appalling DVD
What a huge disappointment finally getting Schindler's List on DVD has been for me.
It was like going back to the late Nineties...A DVD with an added extra - an Intermission!! Marvellous - not. Why was this splendid film not given the respect it deserves and given a proper, up-to-date DVD release?? I thought flip-over discs went out in about 1999?
I waited ages for Schindler's List to get a DVD release, and then this dog's breakfast. I cannot believe Mr S. would have sanctioned such a thing had he had the power to intervene.
My advice is to continue to watch SL on VHS without the enforced break. Try and buy it on DVD in about 2009, when it may well have been put onto one side of one disc.
70 Haphazardly thrown together.
The actual movie was GREAT. The DVD was put together so fast that the sound is off, I mean really OFF, in some scenes, you can't even hear what is going on, & I had my sound ALL the way up. This should have been put on 2, but they put it on 1, back to back, side A & side B, side 1 & side 2. Where was quality control, when this was being made??????
71 Great Movie - DVD Is Not as Bad as You've Heard
A few months ago I made a list of the best movies not available on DVD and "Schindler's List" was at the top. This is a stunning film on so many levels and I am delighted that it is finally back. I, of course, got the widescreen edition and the picture looks great - crisp and clear, preserving Janusz Kaminski's glorious black and white cinematography. True, it is rather strange that you need to flip the DVD, especially since so many other 3-hour plus films are on one side. The special features should have been put on a separate DVD. You think Spielberg would have wanted to have a direct role in the DVD release, but for some strange reason he did not. No commentary from him either, which is disappointing. Oh, well, perhaps he is too busy with his ultra-left wing Hollywood cronies trying to get a Democrat in the White House. It's a shame when people put politics ahead of their art. But I digress - this still remains a deeply moving, beautifully made epic. It's one of the best looking movies of the '90s and maybe of the last fifty years. In a time when anti-Semitism once again seems to be not only tolerated but fashionable, it remains one of the single most important films ever made. This should be mandatory viewing in every school everywhere. A real triumph.
72 Spielberg's Masterpiece On DVD, Without The Extras Though
MOVIE: This is what you call a director's personal masterpiece. For Steven Spielberg it was this, for Roman Polanski it was The Pianist, and for Peter Jackson it was the Lord Of The Rings films. The film is so well made that it doesn't just open your eyes to the tragedy of the Holocaust, but it opens up the story of Oskar Schindler. Schindler was a member of the Nazi party but he did not live to kill all beings inferior to specifications set by Adolf Hitler. Schindler decided to take this war as an opportunity to become wealthy but in the midst of it all he realized that his workers were more than workers, they were people. Schindler became emotionally involved and ended up saving many lives during this time. The movie is powerful and does an excellent job at portraying the trueness of these historical characters. Ralph Fiennes's portrays Amon Goethe, one of the most chilling and powerful performance of his career. Schindler's List is not just some movie that tries to show its audience the horrors and suffering of the Jews, but instead uses the Holocaust as a backdrop for this amazing true tale. The emotional journey of Schindler who is excellently portrayed by Liam Neeson is so incredible that it really emphasizes the saying of "one person can make a difference". Some scenes are difficult to watch but speak the truth. The movie is brilliant because it speaks the truth and for once the truth is all we need, not some fictional story of one man's journey to save hundreds of lives. The life of Oskar Schindler shows us that one man can indeed make a significant difference.
VIDEO: Surprisingly Universal delivered a very crisp transfer. There was only one scene I remember where I saw a very dark heavy line come across the screen, but I think that was irreparable. Otherwise very well done. The widescreen is 1.85:1, so if you have a 16X9 TV then you will have no black bars, and for 4:3 ratio TV's you will have thin bars, not thick.
AUDIO: There is DTS track on the film but I feel it wasn't needed, and I do feel it was waste since it leaves little rooms for extras, but the sound on the other hand is perfect.
PACKAGING / EXTRAS: I bought the DVD giftset which comes in a custom made plexiglass case. Inside you take out a slip-sleeve and out falls the DVD case, a book which is a collection of pictures from the film, a limited edition film cell, and a certificate of authenticity. When the disc first came out the suggested retail price was $79.95, but it seems Universal found out that no one was willing to pay a price so ridiculous so the price apparently dropped to $34.98, but at places such as Amazon you can get for much less. The set also comes with the Soundtrack. As goes for the extras all we get is a decent documentary about the actual Jews who were part of Schindler's list, and then a promotional advertisement turned documentary about the history of the NOAH foundation, a charity foundation for the survivors. Sorry to say that's it, but the film itself is worth the money, and if you got the extra few bucks then go for the gift set. I'm still angry at Spielberg for not taking a more personal approach to the DVD in terms of the film itself, the times we do see him in the two pieces it feels like he was forced into doing it almost. Pathetic in terms of extras but otherwise a smart investment for your collection.
DVD SCORE: (7/10)
73 A cinematic masterpiece!
Meet Oskar Schindler. A German living in occupied Poland during World War II. A member in good standing of the Nazi party. A womanizer, a war profiteer...and ultimately a man of conscience. A man who became one of the great unsung heroes and humanitarians of the war.
"Schindler's List" chronicles Oskar Schindler's spiritual odyssey from war profiteer to humanitarian and hero. Winner of seven Academy Awards¨ in 1993, including Best Picture, this harrowing and heart-rending film is Steven Spielberg's masterpiece, and perhaps one of the finest and most important movies ever made. It depicts Schindler's ultimately successful attempt to rescue 1,100 Jews from Hitler's "Final Solution" by getting them to safety outside Poland.
Dynamic performances abound in this beautiful movie, Especially noteworthy are Liam Neeson as the suave Schindler, Ralph Fiennes as the monstrously depraved Nazi colonel, Amon Goeth, and Ben Kingsley as the dignified, principled Jewish prisoner Itzhak Stern.
"Schindler's List" is definitely not light entertainment! This beautiful movie allows viewers to feel like they're actually a part of one of the darkest, most horrific periods in history. (I'm sure this is the reason the film was shot in black-and-white, with only minor "colorized" bits included.) The story of the Holocaust needs to be told over and over again, in hopes that future generations can understand the horrors perpetrated on an entire race of people and prevent future occurrences. "Schindler's List" is perhaps one of the best and most effective vehicles for telling that story I've ever experienced.
74 A two sided disk and a lousy package hurt the experience
Stephen Spielberg's moving, engrossing, masterpiece of the plight of Jews in WWII Germany is as engaging with each viewing as it was with the previous. Nothing short of harrowing, this brilliant epic simply cannot be compared with any other film, no one has ever made anything quite like it.
The Black and White is a little disappointing, I understand Spielberg wanted to convey the feeling of news reel footage, that since that's how we are used to seeing the war that the film would seem more real to us this way. How seeing it in B&W makes it more reel I don't know, I think the more hyper-washed out colors of Saving Private Ryan worked better. However, I don't complain, the one color, red, on a little girls dress is used to get your attention and jerk your emotions, it works and it's the mark of a master film maker.
Why then the crappy, two sided, DVD presentation with the gatefold cover that comes covered in glue from the "temporary" page inserted for retail browsing.
Not only do they print the Side A / Side B tiny in the center ring, but you have to get up 2/3 through the film and eject and flip the thing. I have a disk changer so I don't have to do that.
The surround sound mix is mostly pointless, the read speakers do almost nothing and real moments of harrowing danger are not heightened by the sound mix like the should be.
Movie 5 stars
Disk 2 Stars
Picture 4 Stars
Sound 3 Stars
Packaging 1 Star
75 WOW
Oskar Schindler,was a Nazi, german war businessman who employed as many Jews as possible in his factories so they would be spared of executions. It is another movie on Jews but this is the very best after "Life is beautiful". Watching this movie means getting through the TV screen into WWII and automatically become a haunted Jew.
Directed by a great director. Played by born-talented actors, this movie is a MUST to every home that cares on building a better and safer world for us all.
"ENJOY" the moral story as the movie "can not" possibly be enjoyed!
76 Poor DVD Authoring
So, it's a DVD-18 (double-sided, dual-layered). That's OK, although I would have preferred if they had done a 2-disc single-sided dual-layered set instead. Double-sided DVD's have a tendency to get scratched more easily, and I sometimes have trouble reading the tiny print telling you which side is which (printed around the hub).
Here's my problem with the DVD, though.... When you switch sides, there is no option available to choose a soundtrack. It simply defaults to Dolby Digital 5.1 English. To select the soundtrack, you must go to the main menu on side 2 and select your language. So much for Spanish and French! If you select DTS 5.1 English, then the DTS trailer plays again before taking you back to the movie, which is a bit disruptive. That is just sloppy authoring. At least on the 4-disc editions of the Lord Of The Rings films, there is a link to Audio Setup before taking you back to the movie.
Also, I would have preferred some supplemental info that pertained to the making of the movie in addition to what is offered here.
77 Must See
Frankly, I'm just ordering the DVD now, but I wanted to add one thing to all these reviews. This is the ONLY movie I ever saw in a theatre where no one -- and I mean no one -- got up out of their seats for over three hours! This is an absolutely spellbounding film, one of the best ever made! I can't wait to add this DVD to my collection.
78 A Flawed Masterpiece
Here's the part where I say how great Schindler's List is. It's beautifully shot, revealing, raw, moving, brilliantly acted and directed, and makes the appearance of one of Hollywood's finest masterpieces of all time.
Now here's the part where I explain why Schindler's List is one of the biggest and most overlooked pieces of propaganda ever made. Was I supposed to like Schindler in the end just because his concious won him over? He was a Nazi, and in essense, a traitor. Most people do not know that the actual Schindler sold that gold ring given to him by his workers for alcohol. Yes, what he did was great, but for the Jews to call him righteous is criminal. He wasn't a good man, and I did not sympathize by the end of this film.
Second, this movie demonizes the German people. Amon Goeth was one of the meanest villains ever presented on screen, and this movie made it seem as if his Nazi superiors let him get away with this nonsense. In actuality, he was charged with brutality by his own people. But this was conveniently left out of the film. I wonder why....
When someone makes a movie that gives the Germans their story to tell, someone let me know. Until then, Stephen Spielberg can keep his sad propaganda.
79 Great Movie - Big Price Drop
My copy of this superb movie is in the post so I have still to recieve it and to my horror the price has reduced from $55.99 to $24.49! Rating it with 5 stars because I have already viewed a friends copy.
Anyway, the issue of splitting the film across two sides is a no-brainer. The compression required to accommodate a film of this size, with the soundtracks would be somewhat more disturbing than turning over the disk once during the entire movie. When the next video format is released it will provide ample space for this type of movie, on one side of a disk, so we can all go to Amazon and order it again!
Just enjoy the movie, there are bigger things to get upset about.
80 Now I am truly speechless...
What a wonderful world we live in! You know, the one where people give an excellent film poor reviews because during the course of 3 hours and a bit, they have to actually GET UP once AND walk five paces to flip over a DVD... Poor things, how could the movie studio do this to them! And this while they have to endure watching so much real-life, heart-wrenching suffering caused by probably the most horrendous event in modern history.
Lazy slobs... If this is an issue for you, don't waste your obviously dangerously low energy reserves to clutter this review board with nonsense.
Great film, one of the classics of our time. Not suitable for young children, obviously, but almost required viewing for adults. The cheap packaging is disappointing, but I'll just treat it more carefully.
81 2-Sided=Good
Not sure if anyone's mentioned this yet, but this is a double-sided, double-layer DVD. It shouldn't be compared to other "flippers" out there because it contains roughly twice the information.
In other words, this is the equivalent of a 2-disc edition like the LOTR Extended Editions. You can't fit a film that goes well over 3 hours into a single-sided DVD without seriously sacrificing quality.
82 Should have had at least a commentary track...
Manufacturing defects? Hey, my scratched up library rental copy played flawlessly on my $30 DVD player, so I can't relate to those reports. One reviewer said he would keep his laserdisc copy because at least his laserdisc player will switch sides without having to get up to flip the disc. Yes, but at a maximum of two hours capacity on one laserdisc, that reviewer will have to get up anyway to CHANGE his laserdisc to disc two in order to watch the remainder of the 3 hour 17 minute film! As far as the complaints concerning where the break point was chosen, I think one would be hard-pressed to find a point anywhere in this film where a break wouldn't upset the mood of the moment. Break points are something laserdisc fans had to endure for every film, and the break point chosen in this film isn't nearly as interruptive as some movies on laserdisc! Those who argue that a 3hr 17 minute film can be put on one side of a dual-layer disc are correct. But, a greater amount of compression would be required which would affect picture quality, since they already are also including not only Dolby Digital but DTS soundtrack. The only thing that personally bothers me about this release is the absence of any commentary track.
83 Disappointing DVD Presentation
I was REALLY REALLY thrilled when I learned that this movie was going to be released on DVD and placed order instantaneously. However, I was REALLY REALLY disappointed when I received it because the movie is split into 2 on a 2-side disc!!!
This is clearly an insult to the customers. I wish Amazon could've indicated earlier, so that I could avoid buying it. I'd rather wait until they release a more decent version with the whole movie on 1 disc and the extras on another disc! Shame on you, Universal Studios, for doing this kind of "unethical" thing!
84 I'LL KEEP MY LASERDISC COPY!!!!
I don't have to get up and flip over my laserdisc copy of Schindler's List- the player switches sides automatically. There's NO excuse for having a DVD which requires you to have to get up and flip it over, when there are two layers on one side available, even for a long movie such as this. It's not that I'm lazy, but techonologically there's no excuse.
The movie is absolutely fantasic (5 stars) but the dual sided "flipper" DVD and the shoddy packaging get 1 star, for an average of 3 stars. The DVD was very dusty as packaged inside the shrinkwrap (like the DVD's sat around at the factory a long time before they were eventually packaged). The packaging looked to be a rush job, even though this movie should have been released on DVD already. Universal apparently is trying to maximize profits because they know this film will sell anyway even with shoddy packaging.
85 Shoot Me
I'de Rather Die than watch that boring movie again, A shame for a Steven Speilberg Movie.
86 Frustrating Interruption
The critics are right. The case is cardboard, most shocking because it won't hold up over time. The critics are also right about the break in the film.
The break is at a critical point in the film and the interruption is extremely frustrating. So what, its a flipper, I can live with this, but the breaking point that was chosen really is terrible.
More whining, maybe, but everyone have a valid point - this DVD definitely could have been done better.
5 star film. Presentation 2.
87 This is one of the greatest movies ever made
Spielberg's control is so powerfully present in this film that every shot of the movie feels like a documentary with us as merely observers rather than judges. We see the carnage presented to us without sentimentality.
One of the greatest extended shots in cinema history is present in this movie. The little girl in the red jacket is a marvel of technical achievement and an emotionally wrenching movie device. There's nothing much to say except this film should be watched and discussed for what it is, a document of an intolerable time.
88 Quit the bitching arealdy...
Jesus Christ people, it's not that hard to get off of your fat, lazy asses and flip a DVD over. Reading some of these reviews makes me think of pre-pubescent little girls whining and whining. You give the release 1 star because it asks you to flip the disk over, my god, what has this world come to?!
I for one could not have been any happier with this release (I bought just the Widescreen edition, not the Collectors one) and loved every second of it's 3 hour and 16 minute presentation.
89 Not sure about 2nd copy
My first DVD froze and skipped during the Liquidation of the Ghetto. I just received a replacement copy from Amazon (thanks for the speedy delivery). Watched it and it all seems okay. But I'm not sure. During the exact same spot where the first DVD froze and skipped, it doesn't do it now. However, it freezes for 2-3 seconds before continuing. Is this right? Could it be because the DVD was shifting to the 2nd layer? And there's another question. Is this a double-layer, double-sided disc? Great movie, but disappointing production. Another case of trying to get the most profit from the least input?
90 Very overrated... as sophisticated as a made-for-TV movie
I disagree with the majority of viewers. This is no masterpiece. It is a pretty good movie with a story that is moving.
Spielberg never uses subtlety. He hits you over the head with each point and I find it insulting to a viewer's intelligence. Shots linger too long... characters explain their actions..
If you can get over Spielberg's in your face style this is a great and sometimes moving story. The acting is above average but nowhere near approaches the performances in "Sophie's Choice", "Europa, Europa" or even the made for TV mini series "Holocaust"
This movie is worth seeing but given the choice I would first view the others I have mentioned.
91 Great Movie - Disappointing Set
I was very excited to see the DVD of Schindler's List finally released. So excited, in fact, that I bought the Collector's Edition. To my dismay, it was not a very exciting collection.
Before I get to that, I will just state that the movie is as good as ever and it has been some time since I have seen it. The quality is clean and clear, while sound is great. This is a film that utilizes the widescreen aspect and should be seen in this format (why they even offer a full screen is beyond my comprehension). Nonetheless, it is an amazing film; certainly Spielberg's finest to date.
The collection that comes with the DVD does not quite meet the films quality. What you will receive in the set is a picture disc of the soundtrack. The soundtrack is from John Williams, and perhaps one of his most moving scores I have heard from him. While he instills his usual thematic sound, the music in this film has a deeply personal emotion that is carried with it, along with Itzhak Perlman's violin solos. Truly beautiful music, however sad it may sound.
Along with the soundtrack is a senitype, which is a reproduction of one of the 35mm frames. I imagine they are the same pictures, one of the girl in the red coat walking along the streets. Its a nice photo, but why do I want it? What am I going to do with it?
Also is a small hardcover book of images from the film. A nice book as well, but with a book that shows photos of the movie, why look at the book when you can just watch the movie? Very little in the making of the film.
Finally is a Certificate of Authenticity. Now this just tops the cake. I mean, a Certificate that says this is a real AND official collector's set, because if I did not get one of these, I was going to assume this was a bootleg of some sort. There is not even a printed autograph! It just brags about the film and tells you what the set offers, which, if you did not open the set to see what was in it, you could not read this little certificate to see what was in it. Completely stupid.
If that does not thrill you enough, then you will also get a little pamphlet that tells you about the SHOAH organization which you can send some money to support them. Ugh.
The DVD offers some extras. No commentary, no behind the scenes footage. Can't break that fourth wall, now!! Keep it real! But you will get stories of the real Schindler Jews who have survived. You will also learn about the SHOAH organization. Furthermore is a video on Schindler's life, which is probably the best extra on the disc. The DVD is two-sided which is another unfortunate aspect which takes me back to the laser-disc days when I had to flip the disc over to continue the film. That annoyws me that I have to do that.
The best part of the collection is the case, which is a plexiglass casing with the names of the list printed in gray. Its pretty cool. While all this stuff is held in a slip case, which does not hold it very well, the plexiglass case has some metal dowels to keep it all in place.
In all, a poor set and for the price, definately not worth it. If I had known it was going to be a disappointing set, I would have just saved my money and bought the movie only version.
The ratings are 5 stars for the movie, and 2 stars for the set, which culminates to about 3 stars overall. If you love the movie, get the movie, not this set.
92 Spielberg's Diamond
Schindler's List is, simply put: Steven Spielberg's finest piece of work. Putting aside the heart-renching story of the holocaust, Spielberg has managed to muster some of the most amazing visuals ever--with an equally visually enticing cast (Neeson & Fiennes). This is one of Spielberg's last great films where he eloquently controlled the camera and actor's movements (sound like Raiders of the Lost Ark?) with uncanny precision. Kaminsky's B/W cinematography reminded me of the older, intricately lit films of the 1920's and 30's (the ones shot w/nitrate film). Buy the movie--and experience it.
93 Fantastic
I was so moved by this movie. I have seen it 6 times & yet to tire of it. Perfection!!!
94 Spectacular film for those grateful of our freedom
To lulubee56 for saying: "and what were the jewish people thinking they had time to do something too. There was enough of them to fight back." How can people be so ignorant? Yeah, it must be easy for you to imagine yourself in their shoes, right? You can't even begin to conceive of what it felt like. It's an emotion Spielberg admirably touches upon, but even he can't portray this emotion on film--it's humanly impossible. Aside from that rude (to say the least) comment, I'd like to mention that this is a wonderful film. It evokes emotions rarely achievable in film. Spielberd did a spectacular job.
95 not as good as i thought
Liam Neeson is excellent once again but I just didnt think this was as good as expected. Also I dont see why there was so many nude shots. There not the shots you'd expect in a holocaust film, tortured and deprived humans. They are straight up nude woman! Probably the only movie Speilberg could get the chance to film it so he made sure to take advantage of it. Also, the german soldiers just act like goons. Their child-like gullibiliy was way to over the top for me and made it all less believable. Overall this is another totally hollywoodized portrayal of a true and more dramatic story but because of the subject matter it is unthinkable to call this anything but classic.
96 Brilliant film, lackluster DVD
In "Schindler's List", Steven Speilberg surpassed even his formidable powers to create a moving, yet largely clear-eyed visualization of the Holocaust. Step-by distressing step Speilberg carefully portrays the Nazi's gradual destruction of the European Jews: from discrimination to ghettoization to incarceration and extermination. And yet, the film is such a fully realized work, from its pacing, character development to the elegant black-and-white photography, that it is also, paradoxically, embracing - Speilberg shows you what a great director at the top of his powers can do with the film medium. When I first saw it in 1993, I was both horrified and saddened by the content of the film but, also, in awe, thrilled even, that Speilberg had the courage to realize this brilliant historical recreation. Rarely has a film been so evocative of an historical period different than the one in which it is made.
Looking at the film now, I appreciate its subtlities better. After an additional ten years of filmgoing, the violence in "Schindler's List" doesn't seem quite so overwhelming (its portrayal of human degradation does, however); in fact, Speilberg actually exercises admirable restraint throughout - he doesn't over-emphasize the cruelty of the Nazis to hammer home his points. Liam Neeson's performance seems less wooden, now, and fuller; he makes wonderful use of his physique throughout and his transformation from war profiteer to hero doesn't seem as one-dimensional now as once it did. Finally, for the things that Speilberg got wrong, like Neeson's final scene, crying that he could've saved "one more person" (one would think that, by that point in the film, Schinder's essential goodness wouldn't have to be emphasized), it's amazing how much Speilberg got right: all the little historical details and observations of family life. The Jews themselves, who were criticized as being an indistinct mass of victims in this film, have actually come into greater focus and we see now how skillfully Speilberg has intervowen the histories of a good half-dozen families within his larger narrative.
It's a great film but a less-than-desirable DVD. I second all the "whining" about the double-sided disc - mine came in scratched too - and lack of extras. I appreciated the documentary from the Shoah Foundation, but it would have been nice to have seen more the Schindler Jews who were prominent in the film. Also: Speilberg mentioned in interviews when the film was first released that he had an initial 4.5-hour cut of the film, I was really hoping that he would've restored this footage and brought out a "director's cut" edition rather than a gift-pack edition that is essentially all marketing paraphenilia wrapped around the same standard DVD.
97 Schindler's List Transcends Packaging Issues
This film transcends any packaging issues. The DVD itself demonstrates excellent transfer quality. Most importantly, in reviewing this work, one must recognize the singular achievement of the fine line that Steven Spielberg, the remarkable cast and crew, editors, and John Williams, all managed to walk across as they presented this remarkable true story of the most unlikely of heroes. Telling the story from the perspective of an unlikely hero such as Oskar Schindler, allows everyone involved with this film to find a touching and hope-filled story in the midst of such respectfully well-filmed horror and despair. By staying within the realm of hope, Spielberg, et al, was able to illustrate the horror of the Holocaust while reaching the broadest audience possible with a message of triumph against the deepest adversity. By having the German Oskar Schindler, blemishes and all, emerge as the hero of this film, prevents the movie from isolating ANY group and articulately shows that all of us, no matter what our flaws or origins are, possess the ability to prevail against extreme forms of evil. It is truly unfortunate that stories like those of Oskar Schindler were the exception, rather than the rule. My deepest respect and gratitude to Steven Spielberg and all participants in this true epic that will stand as a monument to victims over their victimizers for the rest of time. Its approachablility will keep this film widely watched forever.
98 Definitely Manufacturing Issue with the disk
I've gone through two DVD's already of the 2 sided release of this movie and both DVD's start skipping around chapter 15. Don't buy this DVD until they come out with a fixed release.
99 Another Universal Studios boo-boo?
Read the reviews here about the no so desirable packaging and faulty disc. Remind me of the Back To The Future trilogy boo-boo. Boy! I ordered the Collector's Giftset and am worried now.
100 Who cares about the DVD's flaws?
I mean seriously, if you'd stop b*tch*ng about the extras or the disc or 'manufacturing errors' (which I saw none of), then you'd see that this is a beautiful masterpiece that will be treasured by all forever.
Schindler's List is as moving as The Passion of the Christ.
