Directed by Steven Spielberg
Screenplan by Steve Zailian, based upon the novel by Thomas Kennealy
Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes
I’ll say it: Schindler’s List might be the most important film ever to win Best Picture. It represents a true cinematic achievement and, even if it was not revolutionary in the sense that Jaws was revolutionary, it full demonstrates how you can take a deadly subject matter and, by using all the tricks of the trade, can produce an important film about a tough subject without making it fee didactic.
That all being said – this is not a film you sit down to enjoy. There truly is no enjoyment here. It’s a tough film on a tough topic and there’s no enjoying that. That being said, it’s not punishing either, nor is it a chore to watch. Rather, it’s emotionally cathartic and the sort of thing you’ll put on only when you want to have your guts ripped open.