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Schindler's List
Schindler's List movie.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Produced by
Screenplay by Steven Zaillian
Starring
Music by John Williams
Cinematography Janusz Kamiński
Editing by Michael Kahn
Studio
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s) November 30, 1993 (1993-11-30) (Washington, D.C.)
December 15, 1993 (1993-12-15) (United States)
Running time 195 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $22 million
Money made $322.2 million

Schindler's List is a powerful American movie from 1993. It was directed by Steven Spielberg. The story takes place during World War II. It is based on a true story told in the 1982 book Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally. The movie is named after a special list that saved over a thousand Jewish people. These people worked in a factory owned by the main character, Oskar Schindler.

Ideas for a film about the "Schindler Jews" (people saved by Schindler) started way back in 1963. Poldek Pfefferberg, one of the people Schindler saved, made it his goal to share Schindler's story. Steven Spielberg became interested after reading a book review of Schindler's Ark. Universal Pictures bought the rights to the book. Spielberg wasn't sure if he was ready to make a film about the Holocaust. He even tried to give the project to other directors. But in the end, he decided to direct it himself.

The filming took place in Kraków, Poland, in 1993. It lasted for 72 days. Spielberg chose to film in black and white. He wanted the movie to feel like a documentary. The cinematographer, Janusz Kamiński, aimed to make the film feel timeless. John Williams created the music for the movie. The famous violinist Itzhak Perlman played the main music theme.

Schindler's List first showed on November 30, 1993, in Washington, D.C.. It was released in the United States on December 15, 1993. Many people consider it one of the greatest films ever made. The movie was praised for its strong message, amazing acting, and beautiful music. It was also a huge success at the box office. It earned $322 million worldwide, even though it only cost $22 million to make.

The film was nominated for twelve Academy Awards. It won seven of them. These included Best Picture and Best Director for Steven Spielberg. It also won for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score. The movie won many other awards too. This included seven BAFTAs and three Golden Globe Awards. In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked Schindler's List as the 8th best American film ever. The Library of Congress chose the film for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2004. This means it's seen as very important for culture and history.

After the film's success, Steven Spielberg started the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation. This nonprofit organization collects stories from people who survived the Holocaust. The goal is to save their experiences for future generations. Spielberg continues to support this important work. He also used money from the film to help make several documentaries. These include Anne Frank Remembered (1995) and The Last Days (1998).

The Story of Schindler's List

The movie begins in Kraków, Poland, during World War II. The Nazis force local Polish Jews into a crowded area called the Kraków Ghetto. Oskar Schindler, a German businessman, comes to the city. He is a member of the Nazi Party. He hopes to become rich by making money from the war.

Schindler uses bribes to get a factory that makes kitchenware. He hires Itzhak Stern, a Jewish man who knows many people in the business world. Stern helps Schindler manage the factory and find money. Stern also makes sure that as many Jewish workers as possible are seen as important for the German war effort. This helps protect them from being sent to concentration camps or killed by the SS.

Schindler starts to care deeply about his Jewish workers. He uses his money and connections to protect them. He creates a list of "essential" workers. This list becomes a symbol of hope and survival. The film shows how Schindler risks everything to save more than a thousand lives. He tries to keep his workers safe from the terrible events happening around them.

Main Characters

Awards and Recognition

Schindler's List won many important awards. Steven Spielberg won the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film. He also shared the Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture. Steven Zaillian won the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

The film was named Best Film by the National Board of Review. It also won Best Film from the National Society of Film Critics. The New York Film Critics Circle also gave it the award for Best Film.

Academy Awards

The film won seven Academy Awards:

It was also nominated for:

Other Major Awards

The film won seven BAFTAs, including:

It also won three Golden Globe Awards:

  • Best Motion Picture – Drama
  • Best Director (Steven Spielberg)
  • Best Screenplay (Steven Zaillian)

Images for kids

  • Liam Neeson Deauville 2012

    Liam Neeson plays Oskar Schindler in the film.

  • Krakow Ghetto 39066

    The liquidation of the Kraków Ghetto in March 1943 is shown in the film.

  • Schindlers list red dress

    Schindler sees a girl in red during the liquidation of the Kraków ghetto. The red coat is one of the few times color is used in this black and white film.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: La lista de Schindler para niños

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