Reception at Release:
Schindler's List was released on December 15, 1993 (). When it was it was widely received as a masterpiece and one of Steve Spielberg's best works ever seen that is sure to “... win over Spielberg skeptics.” (McCarthy). Critics have praised the movie in many areas. From the brilliant acting (Ebert), memorable scenes (McCarthy), and an overall triumphant plot throughout the film (Wilmington). The film was viewed as mesmerizing and attention-grabbing sensation for the film's 3-hour run-time. A critic from the Chicago Tribune wrote of how the film is “... a triumph on almost every level-of artistry, technique, humanity, entertainment and spirit” as well as being “... one of the most powerful portraits of World War II or the Holocaust on film.” (Wilmington). From seeing other critics, all those positives are a constant throughout the film. From the film's capability of portraying the horrors of the Holocaust to the brilliant choices in style and actors, the film was well-received from almost all angles (Maslin, Ebert).
As mentioned, one
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The cinematography choices are widely appreciated. Not only with the choice of being filmed in black-and-white, but even the background events. Chaotic scenes during the liquidation of the ghettos and concentration camps are captured amazingly by the camera crew (Wilmington). The capturing of Liam Neeson in particular is praised by presenting him as “... an amalgam of canny opportunism and supreme, well-warranted confidence.” (Maslin). Schindler's List's ability to capture violence in a manner that is not overwhelming but is enough to be a relevant theme and invoke shock-value allows the movie's cinematography to be commended further (Maslin). The film also moves quite quickly but is able to keep the watcher engaged throughout the film's entirety (McCarthy). This film is not only marked as an artistic masterpiece, but a technical one as
I would like to point out the poignant cinematography, which was very innovative for its time. The narration and the filming introducing what was about to be uncovered must have been extremely moving in a melancholy way. The mise-en-scène is both compelling and haunting, each frame cleverly editied. Resnais experimented with what is known as the long shot, and the 360 degree shot, to make the voyeur very aware of the unbalanced composition. The panning of the film tracking back from Auschwitz brings us a close up, of barbed wire. This clearly suggests that this isn't what it appears to be. Resnais films the past in black and white, and the then present in colour. The ambiance is chilling, and the composed background music unique. Where normally dramatic loud music would be used to express the abonimation and enormity of the most horrendous scenes, Resnais did quite the contrary.
The film did win some oscars but they weren’t able to win several academy awards because of the breadth of ethical issues it covered- it was successful because it is both thought provoking and entertaining. Because of its different take on the subjects they mention in the film this film deserves the best film of 20th century award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was very famous when it was released but soon after the reviews and interview from the filmmakers were released the audience really started to understood what the movie was all about. The film does have pros and cons to it but the pros totally make the cons looks small because of which the film is such a great classic movie which leaves a different and nice imagine on the audience’s mind after they watch it. People say he reviews sometimes ruin the movie but in this case the reviews and the interviews helped the movie for the
Although Ruggero Deodato’s 1980 Cannibal Holocaust is an extremely gruesome film that raised controversy, it should still very much be considered one of the greatest accomplishments of cinematography and mise-en-scène in the past 30 years. Deodato broke free from the traditional restraints of cinema to innovate a genuine style of narrative through the use of 16mm cameras and atmosphere. Additionally, utilizing basic, unprofessional cinematography maneuvers, such as panning and tilting 16mm cameras at excessive speeds in conjunction with presenting an authentic experience, makes Cannibal Holocaust a masterpiece. Deodato conjured a powerful and emotional film by effectively presenting a message to the audience through the brilliant use of cinematography and mise-en-scène.
I was in a state of shock for most of the film because of the horrible ways the Jews were treated and murdered. I know that I can never truly understand what it was like for them, but it is clear that they were treated as though they had less value than animals. The film was presented in such a way that was very brutal, but straight forward which helped get an emotional reaction out of its viewers. I thought that because the film was straight forward, it appeared to be more accurate, understandable, and
Think about your favorite movie. When watching that movie, was there anything about the style of the movie that makes it your favorite? Have you ever thought about why that movie is just so darn good? The answer is because of the the Auteur. An Auteur is the artists behind the movie. They have and individual style and control over all elements of production, which make their movies exclusively unique. If you could put a finger on who the director of a movie is without even seeing the whole film, then the person that made the movie is most likely an auteur director. They have a unique stamp on each of their movies. This essay will be covering Martin Scorsese, you will soon find out that he is one of the best auteur directors in the film industry. This paper will include, but is not limited to two of his movies, Good Fellas, and The Wolf of Wall Street. We will also cover the details on what makes Martin Scorsese's movies unique, such as the common themes, recurring motifs, and filming practices found in their work. Then on
The landscapes and the character design is extremely imaginative even to the most minor of characters the imagery is so creative. To most people who watch this they might think their watching a 1970s surrealist arthouse film that was inspired heavily on drugs. And in a way their right, the music composed by Alain Goraguer is a bit dated at times, and the artwork designed by Roland Topor is almost so surrealistic it’s hard to think of where the artist came up with some of these designs. However if you look past the imagery there is a real and compelling story to be told in this film. It’s a story about how we as humans treat each other as we can see in the extermination scene, how certain classes treat others thinking they are less human than they are and that it is alright to kill those who are less than human.
What is the central theme of Schindler’s List? Why might this be an appropriate (albeit graphic) film to show while we study the religions of the world? I think that the central theme of Schindler’s List is to always do what’s right; one person can make a difference. I think that this is the central theme of this movie because Schindler, even though he is part of the Nazi party, he doesn’t stand by their abuse and actions against the Jewish people but instead does everything he can to save as many Jews as he can by declaring as many as he can as “essential workers” for his business. In the end, it is realized that one person, such as Oskar Schindler, can make a difference regardless of how small it may seem.
One critic states that the film “relies on its audience to connect the dots and ask who the real villain was. The answer might leave them feeling more uncomfortable that any graphic violence could have.” which is very significant because a movie that is also compared to this movie which is “Schindler’s List” by Steven Spielberg there is a given enemy of that being the Nazis but the villain here makes the audience try and connect the dots. I am very curious on how I will fell about the movie following what I read from the
The movie Schindler’s List is a 1993 American epic historical film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg and scripted by Steven Zaillian. This great film went on to win Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay as well as many more academy awards. It is based on the novel Schindler's Ark by Australian novelist Thomas Keneally. The film recounts a period in the life of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman, during a time when he saves the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories during World War II. This brings a popular mastermind together with a story that demands the sincere reserves of courage and passion.
The film was controversial due to its use of some of the boldest forms of black humour for an American film on such a current desolate topic in 1942. Film historian Theodore Huff wrote in his book 'Index to the Films of Ernst Lubitsch', "the Lubitsch burlesque, laid in Nazi-invaded Warsaw, was called callous, a picture of confusing moods, lacking in taste, its subject not suitable for fun making. While others felt that such merciless satire and subtle humour were good anti-Nazi propaganda, the picture was, perhaps, ill-timed.10" The film created such an upheaval in the press, Lubitsch himself felt compelled to comment on how he viewed the film, "When in 'To Be or Not to Be' I have referred to the destruction of Warsaw, I have shown it in all seriousness; the commentation under the shots of the devastated Warsaw speaks for itself and cannot leave any doubt in the spectator’s mind what my point of view and attitude are toward those acts of horror. What I have satirised in this picture are the Nazis and their ridiculous ideology.11" Compared to Chaplin's political satire film 'The Great Dictator' (1940), Lubitsch's film was taken in a completely different light most likely due to the timing of its release- Mid-World
The setting of the house where Josef and Marie lived was a very good example of what most non-Jewish people would live in. It was small, but cosy just enough for two people. It also included a pantry which was turned into a shelter for David. Not many shots were taken out of the house and that ones that were taken of the street told the audience a lot, especially during the resistance. That scene showed people blowing up houses where collaborators lived, breaking glass windows, and running around the street chaotic. The cinematic techniques added much emotion to the story created on screen. Everytime there was a very important section or Nazis knocking on Josef's door, the cameras seemed to be slowing down just a little bit, as if to tell the audience "Okay, now it's the time to pay attention." Throughout the film, Hrebejk knew where to put the cameras in order to get the best take of a scene, which enhanced the view of watching the movie and added suspence to it.
If “Life is Beautiful” was a Holocaust film it would not have the same reaction that it had when first released setting records and winning multiple awards. If realism and all historical events had taken place in the movie it will have made people remember the holocaust horrors; and with Roberto Benigni storyline the film became a fable about optimism, romance, hope and positivism. Leaving a lesson about what parents are capable for his sons as Joshua says at the end of the film “This is my story. This is the sacrifice my father made. This was his gift to me.” The portrayal of the characters in the film surpasses the screen; clowns can do anything even soft the Holocaust that was without doubt the worst crime ever committed; what will Guido had done with cry and scream “silence is the most powerful cry” and a smile is the most precious gift.
I would highly recommend seeing this movie as it has an amazing plot line and informs the viewer more about the Holocaust. It also does an excellent job of using pathos to make the viewer truly understand just how horrible the conditions became in the Warsaw Ghetto. The Pianist shows the
1. In the beginning of the movie, Oskar Schindler is a charismatic, mysterious man. He is a ladies’ man, and he has a good amount of money. Also, Oskar is in the factory business, and he will hire anybody in order to work in his factories. These characteristics and values are proven by two different scenes in the beginning of the movie.
By using the black and white effect it shows us that the nazis had a very black and white way of thinking and acting towards the jews, which is shown through the racism. In one particular scene schindler is fixated on a little girl in a red coat. Everything else in the scene remains black and white, but the little girl remains in colour. This symbolizes the innocence of some of the victims that died, and the hatred that schindler had towards the nazis racist treatment of the jews. In the film “The Pianist” one particular scene shows us Nazi soldiers entering an apartment building in the ghetto and finding as much jews as they can inside to bring them outside to kill. The director uses a POV/Long Shot from the szpilman family room on the other side of the street to highlight the terror. In the scene Nazi soldiers throw a crippled man out of a window because he can't stand. This scene helps reveal how ruthless and horrible the nazis are towards the jews. This also helps us understand that there doesn't seem to be any other reason to kill them other than to terrorise them. During another scene in the movie the theme of Racism is highlighted when the Nazis are leading the jews onto trains to send them to concentration camps. We see them packing them onto trains like animals, and giving them hardly