“Schindler’s List,” directed by Steven Spielberg in 1993, is an acclaimed cinematic work that intensely and emotionally portrays the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than 1,100 Jews during the Holocaust. Set in Nazi-occupied Poland, the film not only captures the horrors of World War II but also the heroic acts of Schindler, brilliantly portrayed by Liam Neeson.
Among the fascinating curiosities of the production is the deliberate use of the color red amidst the predominantly black-and-white scenes, symbolizing hope and the bloodshed. Additionally, to maintain an atmosphere of authenticity, Spielberg hired many Holocaust survivors as consultants, ensuring the historical and emotional accuracy of the film.
With seven Oscars, including Best Director and Best Picture, “Schindler’s List” continues to be a powerful testament to human resilience in the face of the darkest adversity in modern history.
1 – IT IS BASED ON A BOOK
The film, released in 1982, originates from a book written by Thomas Keneally titled “Schindler’s Ark.” The book emerged after a casual conversation between the Australian author and Leopold Pfefferberg, a Holocaust survivor who worked as a leather goods salesman. Pfefferberg was saved by Oskar Schindler, and years later, he was hired as a consultant during the filming of the movie based on the book.
2 – STEVEN SPIELBERG ALMOST REFUSED TO DIRECT THE FILM
Shortly after the book’s release, Sid Sheinberg, then president of MCA/Universal, presented the work to Steven Spielberg. When the studio acquired the rights to the book, Spielberg initially refused to direct the film, as he did not feel prepared for such a responsibility. Being Jewish, he was very apprehensive about the idea of directing a film that depicted the suffering and death of so many Jews.
Spielberg even invited Roman Polanski, director of “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968), and Martin Scorsese, director of “Taxi Driver” (1976), to take on the project, while he would remain only as a producer. However, he eventually accepted the direction of the film.
3 – SPIELBERG DID NOT ACCEPT A SALARY
With previous successes such as “Jaws” (1975) and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982), Spielberg was already financially well-established. He realized he should not profit from the project, as he mentioned in a later interview it would be “blood money.” The earnings from the film were directed towards establishing the Shoah Foundation, an organization affiliated with the University of Southern California dedicated to preserving the history of Holocaust victims.
4 – ACTOR CAUSED TRAUMA TO A SURVIVOR
Actor Ralph Fiennes portrayed the Nazi Amon Goeth. During filming, Holocaust survivor Mila Pfefferberg trembled upon seeing Fiennes because of his striking resemblance to the real Goeth.
5 – CHOOSING AN UNKNOWN ACTOR
Although Harrison Ford, Kevin Costner, and Mel Gibson were considered for the role of Oskar Schindler, Steven Spielberg did not want a well-known Hollywood actor to portray him. That’s when he remembered Liam Neeson, a relatively unknown Irish actor at the time, whom Spielberg had seen in a Broadway play.
6 – VISITING REAL LOCATIONS
Before filming began, the director made trips to visit historical sites related to the story, both to faithfully recreate the concentration camp and to gather firsthand accounts from survivors. He also visited the apartment where the real Oskar Schindler had lived.
7 – THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE RED DRESS
Created to highlight that even children were victims of Nazi barbarism, the character was inspired by Roma Ligocka, a real Holocaust survivor. In the film, she was portrayed by Oliwia Dabrowska, who was only three years old at the time of filming. At Spielberg’s request, she promised not to watch the film until she turned 18, but she broke that promise and saw it at age eleven.
8 – THE FILM WAS GOING TO BE SHOT IN GERMAN
Initially, the director considered filming in German and Polish to ensure the highest historical accuracy possible. However, he opted to shoot the film in English to ensure that the audience paid full attention to the content. Spielberg considered that Americans are not accustomed to subtitled films, and many still have a bias against subtitles to this day.
9 – TAKING A BREAK TO BREATHE
While working on a project dealing with a very heavy history, a naturally somber atmosphere engulfed all the professionals on set. To lighten the mood, actor Robin Williams was called in to cheer up the crew, and he made sure to attend. Meanwhile, Spielberg sought solace in watching episodes of the comedy series “Seinfeld” (1989-1998) to take his mind off the filming.
10 – JOHN WILLIAMS ALMOST DIDN’T DO THE SOUNDTRACK
To compose the soundtrack, Spielberg called upon the talented John Williams, with whom he had previously collaborated on films like “Jaws” (1975), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982), among others.
After watching an early version of the film, John Williams was so moved that he asked for a moment to compose himself. Upon returning, he humbly told Spielberg that the film deserved a better composer for its soundtrack. Spielberg replied, “I know, but they’re all dead,” referring to geniuses like Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and Bach.
11 – RECOGNIZED AT THE OSCARS
On the night of March 21, 1994, “Schindler’s List” received seven Academy Awards in the categories of Best Picture, Best Director (Spielberg’s first), Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Editing, and Best Original Score. The film also received nominations for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Makeup.
12 – THE TRUE LIST WAS FOUND
The real Schindler’s list was discovered hidden in the attic of Oskar Schindler’s actual apartment in Hildenstein. This was the same place where he lived until his death in 1974.
“Schindler’s List” is not just a film but a powerful narrative that transcends cinema, deeply touching audiences by portraying moral complexity and heroism in the face of evil. Exploring the curiosities behind this cinematic masterpiece, such as the symbolism of the color red and the involvement of Holocaust survivors in its production, we see how Spielberg and his team captured not only historical events but also universal human emotions.
The precision and respect for history are evident in every scene, reflecting the director’s commitment to honoring the victims and heroes of this dark period. “Schindler’s List” remains a vital reminder of human capacity for both evil and good, inspiring reflection on our own choices and responsibilities.
As a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the film stands as an essential work that resonates through generations, ensuring we never forget the events that shaped our world.