Rent Schindler's List (1993)

Liam's Best. - Schindler's List review by NC

Look at some of the rubbish/easy money films Liam has done since. This is what he could have done, if had been more fussy, like Daniel Day, with the rest of his career. Presume has a get-some-in agent who goes for numbers?

Very harrowing in places, but a tour de force. Guy was a playboy, and maybe a lot of his motivation was indeed self indulgence, but what he achieved, under daily scrutiny by the masters of terror is quite amazing. True story. Even more amazing.

Top 10 film ever.................

Powerful but too happy an ending? - Schindler's List review by HW

I liked seeing a different Spielberg to the director of ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Jurassic Park’ (which incredibly came out the same year as this). I preferred the unflinching realism of the movie’s first half, where Spielberg didn’t shy away from the dehumanising horror of the Holocaust. The film is anchored by great performances as well. Liam Neeson delivers a performance a cut above what he’s known for, as a German businessman going through powerful character growth: from an exploiter to a saviour of the Jewish people. Ralph Fiennes’s performance moved me even more, as he effortlessly portrayed the callousness of a camp commandant in possibly the performance of his career. I also approve Spielberg’s decision to shoot this in black-and-white, making this arguably the most visually pleasing movie of his in spite of the trauma on screen. 

I did read Terry Gilliam’s criticism of this film having too happy an ending before seeing the film and I am inclined to agree with him. The second half of the movie devolved into simplified sentimentality. Personally I still prefer Polanski’s ‘The Pianist’, which while never showing any concentration camp scenes still had a more brutal and merciless depiction of tragedy. Nevertheless there is still something moving about Spielberg telling a story about some light or hope to come out of one of humanity’s darkest chapters in history. 

Powerful Holocaust Drama - Schindler's List review by GI

Even after numerous viewings this still packs an emotional punch. It's a film designed to shock and tug massively on the heart strings and in that sense it obviously works very well indeed. Director Steven Spielberg doesn't let the viewer off the hook with what he shows here but this is still a piece of cinema and it's a particularly good one and can be very much admired. Based on a true story (although don't be fooled into thinking you are watching events as they actually happened or that the characters are as they were, and it is tempting to do so especially after seeing the film's coda) it begins in Krakow, Poland immediately after the German invasion in 1939. Failed German industrialist Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) sees an opportunity offered by the war to enrich himself with military contracts. Being broke he exploits the local Jews now under the Nazi controls and uses them as cheap labour to make his fortune using an accountant, Itzhak (Ben Kingsley), as his link to the jewish community. As the war progresses and the Nazi 'final solution' progrom begins he is forced to make illegal deals with the commander of the nearby labour camp, Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes) to continue his business. But gradually the Jewish people see that there is safety in securing a job in Schindler's factory away from the daily, casual murder in the camp. As the war nears its end Schindler is faced with the emotional reality that he has grown fond of his workers and sets out to try and save them from extermination. Spielberg decided to film in black & white giving the film a documentary feel and enhancing the darkness of the events that unfold. His use of deep shadows is especially good at capturing the contrast in character morality and motivation. He also recreates scenes from archive photographs giving the film a very intense sense that we are watching actual footage. There is some extremely disturbing scenes of violence and the effects of executions for example are portrayed in frightening detail. Fiennes is the essence of evil as the psychopathic Goeth who casually kills jews on nothing more than whims. There is a, now, famous sequence where Spielberg uses a small amount of colour to highlight the traumatic events of the clearing of the Krakow Ghetto and I challenge anyone not to be moved and affected by it. Indeed the film is littered with difficult scenes and events and by the end you are emotionally drained. But like all films, despite it's power and production there are flaws and Spielberg's tendency to add some unneeded sentimentality is a main one. But that aside this is a film that deserves everyone to see it at least once so if you haven't then I urge you to do so even though it will shock with it's realistic depictions of the Holocaust.

A staggering, beautiful and horrific film - Schindler's List review by Timmy B

One of the greats.

The decision to shoot in black and white was inspired.

The performances and script amazing.

And the horror of what must never be forgotten shown unflinchingly and honestly.

3 hours of beautiful, staggering and stunning viewing

Great movie but only half a film sent out! - Schindler's List review by CS

Where is the warning on the site that this film is split over two discs, so you need to up your subscription to be able to watch the whole film in one sitting?

So far I have been thrilled with the service from Cinema Paradiso, but really disappointed now. :(

The film is amazing, one of the best EVER made, if you want to watch it, I would recommend you buy it.

Where is Part 2 ? - Schindler's List review by NW

Really annoying, no part 2, and despite searching, no way of ordering it ! Seems this is an ongoing issue. So, Cinema Paradiso, why not fix it!