Schindler's List - 20th Anniversary Edition [DVD] [1993]

Steven Spielberg's most personal film about the attempt of a German industrialist to save 1,100 Jews from the gas chambers by cajoling, bribing, and manipulating the greedy, preening officers of the SS camp in which they worked. There are few subjects so in need of honourable treatment than the Holocaust of WWII and that might explain why there are precious few cinematic accounts out there. That one of the most moving came from the master of the big screen adventure is both unlikely and likely. Yes, he is better known for movies aimed at younger audiences that leave little if anything to the imagination (because he succeeds so completely in getting it all up there on screen) but by the early 90's, Steven Spielberg had already shown us he was capable of crafting touching broad-scale dramas with the likes of The Colour Purple. He had also demonstrated a cultured understanding of moviemaking with masterpieces like Jaws. That said, his experience with the 'in-your-face' cinematic techniques of the Hollywood emotional payoff is as much responsible for the effectiveness of this film as his more deft qualities. For the holocaust is a piece of history that requires in-your-face type confrontation. The cruelty and horror of what happened to the Jews needs to be shoved down our throats every now and then so we truly don't forget. Yes, the artistry of the more subtle scenes elevates this film to the echelons of cinematic greatness and that is edifying for its status as a film, and yes, the more mature examination of the complexities of cruelty, guilt, and mass hatred can culture our understanding of humanity. But it's the refusal to shy away from the raw horror of what happened that gives this film it's universal resonance and that is imperative.The result is a gruelling watch that will turn your face to stone yet in some small way do justice the suffering. Technically, there's barely a false note played from the set and costume design to the sound production. But standing out is without doubt Janusz Kaminisk's stunningly lit monochromatic photography. Spielberg's use of his work here is nothing short of sublime from the moment he introduces his main character to the his final scene. In retrospect it seems now that nobody could inhabit this carefully constructed space better than Liam Neeson. He brings all the gravitas of an A-lister to the film but with the daring of an actor who has had to work for a living. It's a tightrope of a turn that requires capturing all the ego, manipulation, caring, and bravery of the man. As his right hand man, Itzhak Stern, Ben Kingsley is beyond praise. Ralph Fiennes is to be eternally commended too for giving what could've (and may well have been in reality) a mono-dimensionally evil character enough layers to not excuse his actions (and those of many others like him), but to attempt to explain them.However, whether the conversation be the acting, the editing, or John Williams deeply moving score, one always comes back to the director. It may have been a personal project but that in no way comprises his clarity. Despite the broad scale of both the story and the emotions it evokes, Schindler's List is as focused a work as anything that has graced the medium and made with a level of skill that at times is breathtaking. The varied manner and innumerable methods that Spielberg uses to lay bare the cruelty and indignity with which the Jews were treated is as chilling as it is ingenious and it's through these contrasts or critical junctures between the surreal and real that this indictment and essential analysis of one race's inhumanity to another is enacted. And while one race in particular will be forever under scrutiny for these actions, the film's greatest achievement is that it rises above the primal tendency to point fingers. That Spielberg chooses a German to be the hero in this tale is of course his essential message – the Jewish Holocaust was and is a human problem not a German one.

Firstly... If you haven't seen the film, this is going to be a huge treat for your first time seeing it. The film itself is so moving, powerful, superbly cast and even very darkly humorous throughout.I need not go into detail about the story of the film right? Because you want to know what the Blu-Ray transfer is like... Well its like the title to this review states... Brilliant!Picture: The contrasts between black and whites are what really come into play with this masterpiece. The whole film is on ONE DISC so you needn't worry about having to get up at around 1hr n'40 to change discs such as the superb DVD release from a few years back. The film flows smoothly along at about 20mbps which considering its a 3 hour film means it should look less impressive, but there are no extras on disc one at all, and just a minimal menu... So as for picture quality, it really sets the black and white tones of smoke from the trains at the start and the burning ends of characters cigarettes into a crisp clear showcase.Presentation: I suggest that you pay the extra £1-2 for the special limited edition book edition as I have, which holds one disc on each side of the case and binds a book built into the spine which separates the two discs and keeps them well encased when not in use. It's sturdy and brittle, so it won't break if dropped (I don't suggest you use it as a frisbee mind you) and the book is very similar to the one included in the DVD special edition, but with differing illustrations and as I don't have a photographic memory OR my copy of the DVD anymore, the text may be slightly different too. Its lovely to hold and to look at, and definitely worth the extra bit of money.Sound: This movie has a John Williams score (as do 99.99999% of Spielbergs movies) and this is brought to life also. You don't really have to question a release from Universal when it comes to sound, but seeing as I do not own an expensive home-cinema sound system, I can tell you that it sounded just fine on my LG 50" Plasma, with its built in speakers. This is usually a good indicator of a well mixed multi-track downsample, but hopefully a reviewer with a better sound system will help me to answer this one more aptly.All in all: I strongly suggest that if you have the funds, you should purchase Stephen Spielbergs one true piece of epic cinema. I don't mean I dislike his other movies in saying this, I simply mean that this truly is up there with the best films ever made, and if you are wondering if you should upgrade from DVD-Blu-ray with this masterpiece, I would strongly recommend it. Lastly... I don't want to sound corny or holier-than-thou, but I really consider this a genuinely astonishing and important homage to a brilliant man and a VERY brave generation, and my heart goes out to the Jewish people who were so brutally murdered 70-75 years ago.

Amazing film albeit you have to be in a positive mood to view it. Thought provoking as well as entertaining.