Sunday, BBC2, 10:30pm
Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List (1993) is not merely a film; it is an act of remembrance, a harrowing testament to the Holocaust’s atrocities and the capacity for redemption amidst unimaginable darkness. Shot in stark black-and-white, evoking the grim documentaries of postwar Europe, the film chronicles the transformation of Oskar Schindler, a Nazi profiteer turned reluctant savior, whose actions preserved over a thousand lives. Its unflinching gaze at humanity’s depths and heights is matched by an equally unforgettable musical score, composed by John Williams.
Williams’ score stands as a masterwork of restrained emotional power. The heart of the soundtrack is the plaintive violin solo performed by Itzhak Perlman, which encapsulates both the profound sorrow and fragile hope of the Jewish experience during the Holocaust. The theme does not overpower the film's harrowing imagery; instead, it serves as a lamentation, a voice for those who could not speak. This choice is remarkable for Williams, often celebrated for his rousing orchestral pieces, as it highlights his sensitivity to the weight of the story. The music is not merely an accompaniment but a vessel, bearing the grief of a people while whispering the faintest possibility of light.
Historically, Schindler’s List strives for authenticity, from its depiction of Kraków’s ghetto to the monstrous efficiency of Auschwitz. Yet Spielberg wisely focuses on personal stories—human faces amid the statistics. The infamous “girl in the red coat,” a rare splash of color in the monochrome palette, is a devastating symbol of innocence amidst systematic annihilation. While Schindler’s arc from opportunist to humanitarian is dramatized for narrative clarity, it retains its core truth, underscoring the extraordinary moral courage required to act in defiance of overwhelming evil.
The film’s power lies in its refusal to flinch, demanding that we confront history while also offering a profound meditation on the value of a single life. With Williams’ mournful score echoing in the background, Schindler’s List is a cinematic requiem—a hauntingly beautiful reminder that even in humanity's darkest hours, acts of compassion can illuminate the void.
- Tom Hanson