Schindler's List

Main Plot

Schindler's List follows the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who becomes an unlikely hero during World War II. Initially motivated by profit, Schindler sets up a factory in Kraków, employing Jewish workers to take advantage of their cheap labor. As the Nazi regime intensifies its persecution of Jews, Schindler witnesses the horrific conditions and brutality faced by the Jewish community. Moved by their suffering, he begins to risk his own safety and wealth to save as many lives as possible. Schindler uses his influence and resources to protect his workers from deportation and death, ultimately creating a list of those he can save. The film portrays the stark contrast between the horrors of the Holocaust and Schindler's efforts to provide refuge, highlighting themes of humanity, sacrifice, and the impact one individual can have in the face of overwhelming evil.

Characters

• Liam Neeson plays Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saves over a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.
• Amon Goeth, a brutal Nazi officer, oversees a labor camp, embodying cruelty and serving as a stark antagonist to the protagonist's efforts to save Jewish lives.
• Ben Kingsley plays Itzhak Stern, Oskar Schindler's Jewish accountant, who helps manage the factory and assists in saving Jewish workers during the Holocaust.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Schindler's List, Oskar Schindler, who has spent the war saving over a thousand Jews by employing them in his factories, faces the grim reality of the Holocaust as the war comes to an end. As the Nazis begin to lose power, Schindler realizes that he could have saved more lives but is haunted by the thought of those he could not save. He is emotionally torn, feeling guilt for the wealth he accumulated while others suffered. In a poignant scene, Schindler is presented with a ring made from the gold of a Jewish worker, inscribed with the Talmudic phrase "Whoever saves one life saves the world entire." This moment encapsulates the impact of his actions and the lives he saved. As the war concludes, Schindler's workers are liberated, and he must flee to avoid capture by the advancing Allied forces. The film closes with a powerful montage showing the real survivors and their descendants, emphasizing the lasting legacy of Schindler's efforts. The ending highlights themes of redemption, the moral complexities of human behavior, and the importance of individual action in the face of systemic evil, ultimately reinforcing the film's message about the value of human life.