Journal #2: Film Review-> Schindler's List

The film I chose to watch and review was Schindler's List, directed by Steven Spielberg. Having chosen this film, I definitely did not catch the part on the back that marks how the film is over three hours long, three hours and sixteen minutes at that. I am happy to say that those three hours and sixteen minutes were time well wasted. Taking place in Krakow, Germany, the film captures the true story of a man named Oskar Schindler who remarkably saved over 1,100 Jews during the time of the Holocaust. Schindler, who is known as a selfish business man, takes a complete twist when he becomes determined to turn his factory into a refugee for Jews. His intention in the beginning is to make a fortune by "exploiting cheap Jewish labor." When Schindler ends up penniless, his reward through all the terror is that of having saved over 1000 Jews during the time of the Holocaust who would have otherwise most certainly been killed at the concentration camps.

Unlike the rest of the film, the beginning scene is in color picture. This being one of the few color aspects of the film, adds to the dramatic effect that it brings. It introduces the main purpose of the film and helps the viewer understand who and what the film is about. I think the fact of choosing to film this production in black and white gave the movie a more authentic feeling especially because of the fact that during the time period, black and white was the only option. There was a certain scene in the movie where Schindler is standing upon a rooftop looking at all the Jews marching along to their respective locations, he notices amongst the crowd that there is a little girl dressed in a red coat amongst the black and white scenery. I think the significance for the girl in the red coat was to reveal the emotions Schindler was feeling. Colors signify emotions, and I think that the red showed the sorrow and pain that was inflicted amongst the entire area including Schindler himself, a man who seemed to not have many worries. I think the director's choice for the color aspect in the film was very appropriate and made the scene incredibly dramatic.

The realistic plot in the movie is one among the many literary aspects of the film. This film being based on a true story greatly adds to the idea that the film should be, and indeed was very realistic. The way the setting was arranged and the way the camera moved around allows viewers to feel extremely involved in the action that takes place in the film. Along with the realistic dialogue that screenplay writer Steven Zaillian incorporates into the film, the actors also do a fabulous job of making the characters very believable. Symbols, being another literary aspect of the film, were also present in the film. One that I noticed was the white band with the blue star of David printed on it that all the Jewish people had to wear is one main symbol. It signified who the Jews were and continuously appeared throughout the film, emphasizing the inequality and disrespect the Jews faced during the time. Another symbol that I recognized were the color segments in the film. I think the director choice to have these color segments made the emotions in the film more noticeable.

I never questioned the dramatic aspects of the film. The actors captured their characters to the fullest in each scene and it was easy to follow which character was which, and whom and what personality. The costumes fit the different statuses of the characters. For example, those who were business involved were dressed in suites and looked very sophisticated. Those of high status were dressed very elegant and classy, and those of low class were dressed sort of ragged. All characters matched the typical description of what they would be thought to look like during that time.

As for the cinematography in the film, the director employed a variety of camera movements. There were some hand-held camera movements, one scene in particular where the camera is very unsteady as it goes through the lines of Jews, making the viewer feel as though they are walking right along beside them. The director Incorporated frequent low-key lighting during the more dramatic parts of the film, shadowing parts of the characters, hinting certain idea about them. There was also recurring coordination between the action and the music that was assorted into the film. This also added to the idea of the viewer feeling as though they were apart of the film. These aspects are what kept my attention while watching the film the most. When you feel apart of the action, it is hard to draw your attention to anything other than the film.

After the three hours and sixteen minutes of watching the film, I had come to the decision that this film did not only hold my attention for the majority of the time, but it also served as an educational tool as well as informed me about the life of a person that i hadn't known about until the viewing of this film. This film presents the story of a man who truly made a difference during the time of the Holocaust, and Steven Spielberg really did a magnificent job of capturing every aspect of the story and making an award winning film.