Schindler's List

What can be said about "Schindler's List" that hasn't already been said by countless movie critics and others? Especially when contrasting the movie to the book "Oskar Schindler: The Untold Account of his Life, Wartime Activities, and the True Story behind The List". For starters, it is of no surprise to anyone that the movie is exceptional and is viewed as a very good depiction of Oskar Schindler. This is because of Mr. Spielberg's directing and Liam Neeson's acting for the most part. HOWEVER, while Spielberg's film is a great one, we can point out some stark contrasts (Ironic, since the entire movie is in Black and White and shows the contrasting qualities of traditional Nazis and Oskar Schindler) between the book and the film.

For example, the book notes that Schindler was a businessman first and foremost, and we see this in the movie as well, but to a lesser extent. More specifically towards the end, when Schindler breaks down crying over the dead Jews he couldn't save. From the book, we can tell that this man was, quite frankly, a hard ass. He was a jerk, a womanizer, a drinker, he didn't care about other people. Sure, his conscience takes over for a time and he begins to save Jews' lives by employing them (Employment which is much more peaceful and kind in the movie than in the book), but not for some 'holier than thou' purpose of self-sacrifice and nobility. No, We can assume and indeed the book does tell us that Oskar Schindler hired these Jews because they worked cheap, did their Jobs, he hated the SS, they were diligent workers, and he hated the SS.

So while the scene of Liam Neeson as Oskar Schinlder weeping over those whom he couldn't save is moving and very compelling to watch, the guy wasn't some sort of Superman. If anything, he saved the Jews out of an Obligation to simple Decency and to basically resist the SS and Gestapo's power because they treated him like utter Schisse.