3. SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993)

When Schindler's List was released in 1993, movie critics claimed that Steven Spielberg "had finally grown up." But to attribute such a trivial phrase to this film is to overlook the amazing impact the film had on audiences. A shockingly realistic portrayal of the Holocaust, every single image Spielberg presents feels as if it has never been filmed before. Yes, there is the narrative story about Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), the German businessman who unexpectedly (even to him) saved hundreds of Jews from certain death in concentration camps. But the real power of the film comes from each individual scene and the story it tells. The Jewish construction foreperson who designed the barracks. The women who smear blood on their cheeks to make their hallow faces look healthier. The Nazi camp commandant (Ralph Fiennes) who shoots at prisoners from his balcony for target practice.

While people will always poke fun at popular films, Schindler's List occupies a special place in history because it was released right as many of the last remaining concentration camp survivors were still alive to tell their tales. So respected is the film that when it was shown on network television, it was uncensored (despite several scenes with nudity) and there were no commercial breaks, despite its 3 hour running time.

Part of the reason that the film works so well is because it doesn't concentrate on the story of one or two families . . . it shows how the Holocaust affected huge populations. So many little stories are involved that it's often difficult to keep track of what happens to whom. It doesn't matter. Each story could be its own film. The unknown cast (in 1993, at least), the black and white "documentary-feeling" cinematography, and the sheer realism in portraying violence make it impossible to imagine how this film could be anything but real, let alone a Spielberg film.

The other reason that the film works is because, well, Spielberg finally grew up. He finally produced a serious project worthy of his talents, and no one will ever forget it.

Notes:

  • Filmed entirely in black and white, except for the opening sequence, the ending sequence, and a little girl's red dress in the middle

  • Nominated for 12 Academy Awards (including Best Actor for Neeson and Supporting Actor for Fiennes)

  • Won 7 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Director (Spielberg's first Oscar), Screenplay, Score, Editing, Art Direction, and Cinematography

  • Placed #9 on the American Film Institute's "100 Greatest Movies" List