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Schindler's List

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Schindler's List

R

Released Dec 15, 1993

3h 15m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

98%

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136 Reviews

97%

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250,000+ Ratings

Businessman Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) arrives in Krakow in 1939, ready to make his fortune from World War II, which has just started. After joining the Nazi party primarily for political expediency, he staffs his factory with Jewish workers for similarly pragmatic reasons. When the SS begins exterminating Jews in the Krakow ghetto, Schindler arranges to have his workers protected to keep his factory in operation, but soon realizes that in so doing, he is also saving innocent lives.

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Critics Consensus

Schindler's List blends the abject horror of the Holocaust with Steven Spielberg's signature tender humanism to create the director's dramatic masterpiece.

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

Spielberg employs all the emotive Hollywood tools at his disposal and the result is a remarkable film with wide appeal and real importance. Neeson is phenomenal, but matched by towering performances from Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes.

Jan 22, 2024

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Using every ounce of his awe some technical skill, the man who sent T. rex and Indiana Jones racing through our imagination brings us a story of human horror beyond imagination.

Apr 15, 2021

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Susan Stark

Detroit Free Press

Once in a very great while, a movie insinuates itself so deeply into your consciousness that it offers not vicarious experience but instead, direct experience. Steven Spielberg's heartfelt, monumental Schindler's List is such a movie.

Rated: 4/4

Apr 15, 2021

Full Review

Nadir Samara

Screen Rant

The story of Oskar Schindler is as complicated as it is riveting and Steve Zaillian’s script tells us the story in a way World War II films never had.

Rated: 8/10

Oct 31, 2024

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

It brought the Holocaust to a mass non-Jewish audience at a time when survivors were dying of old age, and testimony was at risk of being lost.

Rated: 10/10

Feb 7, 2024

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

A great film, a powerful film, and even if it’s not the definitive American Holocaust film, it remains on the very short list of the most important ones. (30th anniversary)

Rated: 5/5

Dec 19, 2023

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O A

This movie is great from start to finish. Steven Spielberg's direction in this movie was at its best and everyone's performance in the movie is moving.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

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SkyRo P

"Schindler's List" is a classic film that depicts a significant historical event, all presented in black-and-white. With a runtime exceeding three hours, it offers a profound narrative experience. In my opinion, the film's direction is exceptional, and the casting choices are commendable, making it a notable cinematic achievement of its era. However, I find it challenging to revisit; the film's impact feels diminished in today's context. Given the advancements in filmmaking as of 2025, the stark black-and-white visuals and slower pacing seem out of place. Had I seen it when it first released, I might have appreciated it more. Watching it now, especially amidst a cinematic landscape rich with special effects and innovative storytelling, I felt it lacked the engaging elements I typically enjoy. This isn't to say it's a poor film; rather, it simply didn't capture my interest throughout its lengthy duration. Despite its acclaim and cultural significance, I found it wasn't quite my style.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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Shawn R

One of the best movies ever made! Best movie about WW2

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

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T M

A film so powerful it moves into the dimension of transcendent art. So many iconic characters and scenes it’s hard to believe that at one point this was simply advertised as Spielberg’s latest film you could casually go see in the cinemas for the first time. A potent reminder of the true power of film to pierce into the core of the human experience and spirit.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/21/25

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Louise C

A very draining film due to the factual content. However, the upside is what Schindler did in his lifetime. True to recorded events, this movie is well presented.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/25

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Joshua m

It took me 30 years to bring myself to watch this film. It's brilliant, haunting and horrifying at the same time. I do have one tiny quibble though. The ending scene before he drives away elevates Schindler to a Christ-like character. That wasn't necessary to complete the narrative.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/18/25

Full Review

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Steven Spielberg

Director

Liam Neeson

Oskar Schindler

Ben Kingsley

Itzhak Stern

Ralph Fiennes

Amon Goeth

Caroline Goodall

Emilie Schindler

Jonathan Segal

Poldek Pfefferberg

Movieclips: John Williams: 11 Incredible Themes

27:14

Schindler's List: Official Clip - That's Oskar Schindler

3:00

Schindler's List: Official Clip - He Who Saves One Life Saves the World Entire

2:45

Schindler's List: Official Clip - A Small Pile of Hinges

3:00

Schindler's List: Official Clip - The List is Life

2:57

Schindler's List: Official Clip - Bach or Mozart?

2:41

Schindler's List: Official Clip - The Schindler Jews Today

3:00

Schindler's List: Official Clip - Commandant Amon Goeth

3:00

Schindler's List: Official Clip - The Girl in Red

2:28

Schindler's List: Official Clip - Helen Hirsch

2:59

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Synopsis

Businessman Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) arrives in Krakow in 1939, ready to make his fortune from World War II, which has just started. After joining the Nazi party primarily for political expediency, he staffs his factory with Jewish workers for similarly pragmatic reasons. When the SS begins exterminating Jews in the Krakow ghetto, Schindler arranges to have his workers protected to keep his factory in operation, but soon realizes that in so doing, he is also saving innocent lives.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Producer: Branko Lustig, Gerald R. Molen, Steven Spielberg
Screenwriter: Steven Zaillian
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Actuality Violence|Some Sexuality)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 1993, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 7, 2018
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 5, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $96.6M
Runtime: 3h 15m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Stereo, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

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