Schindler's List (1993) Reaction & Review! FIRST TIME WATCHING!! 

I can hardly believe that you have never watched this movie, but since we get to see you react to it I cannot be mad about it .... growing up in Germany we watched this movie as part of our education. We walked into the cinema as boisterous, unruly teenagers (I think we must have been around 13 or 14) and afterwards on the bus back to school you could have heard a pin drop. It was eerily quiet. Some of my friends even had to leave the cinema early because the movie caused them to be physically sick. For a while I could not look at my relatives who had been adults in that timeperiod without judging them - until I understood that I had no right to judge them, never having been subjected to the degradation after WW1 and the hunger and the hopelessness and the Propaganda and so on. I have long ago forgiven my grandparents for believing the lies they had been told for decades. I guess life goes on and that is alright just as long as one does not forget history... because then it might just repeat itself. I have not lived in Germany for many years now, but back when I did and the movie came on on telly it was never interrupted by adverts ... the topic is just to serious My apologies for babbling on...just glad to see people reacting to this movie. Thank you!

John Williams didn't think he was good enough for this movie. He told Spielberg, "You need a better composer than me." Spielberg said, "I agree, but they're all dead."

This is one of those movies everybody needs to watch. It will never fail to make me cry. Some of the Schindler Jews were invited to the set. And Ralph Fiennes was so convincing in his part as Goet that an old woman broke down crying by seeing him. He immediately broke character and comforted her. I feel both him and Liam Neeson was robbed of the Oscar

Ralph Fiennes as Amon Goeth is WAY scarier than his role of Lord Voldemort, in my opinon. What a fantastic actor!!!

This is the most important movie Steven Spielberg has ever made !

Neeson's last scene is the one that always gets me, "I could've got more."

Apparently one of Schindler's Jews (it might even have been Helen) started shaking violently and cried when she saw Ralph Fiennes in a scene, or maybe she visited the set (I forget), because he was so close to the real Amon Göth.

The Pianist, great film! Highly recommended.

Here in Germany this movie is shown in History class! I think that should be the case in every country!

I do wanna mention that there were other Schindler like figures, some of whom arguably saved even more people. Raoul Wallenberg was a diplomat and "the Swedish Oskar Schindler" in that he saved thousands of Hungarian jews. He sadly was killed in a Sowjet prison after the war. Chiune Sugihara was another diplomat and is known as "the Japanese Oskar Schindler". He saved about 6000 jews by giving them visas to travel to Japan in the early years of the war. He lived until 1986.

My friend, you - by a significant margin - have the best reaction and review channel I've ever seen. Again and again, you bring a sensitivity and depth to your reviews that I find extremely interesting and very enjoyable. This film was no exception. Thank you, and looking forward to your next excellent reaction.

"Schindler and I are like peas in a pod. We're both factory owners, we both made shells for the Nazis, but mine worked, damn it!" -Mr. Burns, The Simpsons

I expected to cry my eyes out through this movie and was surprised to find I hadn't throughout almost the entire film, thought I was tough or something. Then that end scene with the ring happened and it all just came out of me. All the realizations of the cruelty of humanity and the goodness and the difference one man can make, it all just poured out and it's like the movie was daring me to try to not feel anything. This was clearly very personal for Spielberg, as was Saving Private Ryan. People need to remember the humanity behind WW2, and Spielberg won't let you forget it. I don't even need to say much aside from how much I am impressed with the sets, the costumes and especially the acting from all the leads - Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes are fantastic, and Liam Neeson went from relative unknown to star right here. That final scene, with the actual real Schindler Jews, it's just staggering and sobering. I tear up thinking about it, the impact that one man can have, in either direction. Funny enough, Spielberg famously offered this movie to Polanski as Polanski's mom was killed in Auschwitz (ZERO excuses for Polanski's actions and behavior but between a mom killed in the Holocaust and a pregnant wife murdered by freakshow cultists, are we surprised he's a deviant fuckbag?) and Polanski declined (but of course later made his own Holocaust movie). Spielberg opted to have all royalties and residuals to a foundation for Holocaust remembrance just so he couldnt feel he was profiting off the pain and suffering of his own people. 2 famous anecdotes about this one - for one, it was so dark and grim when filming this movie that Spielberg felt dejected and ended up often calling Robin Williams to cheer him up, which the maniac legend Williams did with glee, making jokes and doing skits over the phone (some of which ended up becoming material he used in Aladdin reportedly). And when Spielberg showed a cut of this to John Williams, Williams walked out, then came back and said he cant score it because this movie deserves a better composer to which Spielberg replied "I know, but they're all dead." Staggering, sobering, hard to watch at times, but full of heart and humanity. Brilliant film. Edit: One last thing I forgot - that little girl in the red coat. That's based on a real story Audrey Hepburn told Spielberg once - Audrey saw a little girl wearing basically that same coat getting loaded onto the trains along with all the other people and it just stuck with her, that bright red coat on that precocious little child, being sent off to her enslavement or death. Fucking brutal.

I heard a historian once say that Speilberg's genius in this movie along with Private Ryan is that he forces the viewer to bear witness as if they were there. I grew up with the stories of the war from a father that would swear he'd never sit idly by if this were to happen again. Unfortunately, we as a species tend to lose sight of the most important of lessons over time.

The scene where he gets the ring always breaks me. It's a very important film to me personally, as a German citizen. As a historian there have been some criticisms of the film, but overall, I do think Spielberg did a great job of making a nuanced, but visceral portrayal. Maybe not the best film about the holocaust overall, but one that you can't ignore in its influence and emotional impact.

The violin piece towards the end, the “Theme From Schindler’s List” by Itzhak Perlman, brings me to the depths of despair every time. And, I need that. I need to feel the shame and horror of that time periodically, so as not to forget. Since then, I have sought out stories of people who put their lives on the line to save fellow human beings, like Oskar Schindler did. This tale is one for the ages. It will never get old...

I just noticed recently the very subtle telltale gesture from Ben Kingsley as he's witnessing Goeth killing young Lisiek. Notice how the books drops in his arms. Phenomenal acting right there. This has to be one of your best reactions, Shan. And very moving for me as these events happened in my region, not too far from the place where I live.

2:40 "Por Una Cabeza" is a tango song written in 1935. It also features in "Scent of a Woman" (1992) and "True Lies" (1994).

This is, unfortunately, only one of many exterminations of mass groups of people in human history. The Mongol invasions, Mao's reign in China, Stalin's in Russia (all three eclipsing 20+ Million dead each) the "pacification" of the American West and the genocide of Native American tribes, etc. This is just another chapter in the book of Humanity's atrocities towards each other. (this does not lessen it's impact, nor anything else.)

Even though it didn't make it in this edited reaction, I always took the piano playing scene (when the ghetto was being liquidated) as a demonstration, not just of the Nazi's blatant disregard for human life, but also to show that these people were not street thugs or gang members (although they certainly act like it); they were highly cultured and highly educated. However, these distinctions are no guarantee against becoming a mass murderer or an accessory to genocide. I also wanted to point out the scene when Goeth is trying to shoot the machinist, but neither of his sidearms is functioning properly. I always took this as a subtle hint that Goeth is not a true soldier and lacks any discipline or skill; he is simply here to satisfy his blood lust and he is nothing more than a sadist.

After watching this please imagine, there are still many people in the world who wants to happen such things again....

I saw this twice at the theater. It's one of those movies which, when seen as a member of a packed audience, is a genuinely memorable shared experience.

Ralph Fiennes name is actually pronounced "Raif." Another great reaction! A detail I love which took me a few viewings to catch, is that the rabbi is the one in the scene where the gun keeps jamming.

Roberto Benigni‘s „La Vita e Bella“ is also great, a bittersweet story.

You are hands down one of the most intelligent, articulate reactors out there. I'm so glad you took the time to watch this amazing film. I wish I knew more people like you. Keep up the great work. Thank you!

It's one of those rare movies that I can say is one of the best films I've ever seen but also a movie I can't watch too often. It takes a lot out of you.

Great reaction, and I appreciate what you bring to the table with each video. Every reaction you do is so well articulated and thoughtful, especially this one. Such a tough film to watch, but so glad it was made so that people realize what happened and that we never forget.

You’re still by far my favorite reactor to movies. You never fail to understand and bring across to your viewers the nuances that so many people fail to see or understand. Your intelligence is the main reason I like your reactions. I enjoy your reactions overall but because you “get it”, is why I watch. Very much appreciated.

I appreciate this really thoughtful and thorough reaction. You really hooked onto all of the nuances throughout the film as well as the minute details in the way he lit, filmed, and framed things.

I hadn't watched this film in many years, and though I am very grateful for your review and reaction I think it will be many more years before I'm able to watch these scenes again. I'm a student of history and don't like to look away from any subject, but this film is so visceral that it brings me to tears every time. What an important piece of art this is.

37:28 - for me too. Neeson show his very particular set of skills as a serious drama actor.

Oh yes! The Pianist is so WORTH watching, it's sad but beautiful. It has a special place in my heart. I recommend to read the book too!

Yes, watch the pianist as well as Life Is Beautiful.

One of your finest reviews so far, Shan. I would also strongly recommend you the German film Downfall/Der Untergang, about the last days in Berlin and inside Hitler's bunker before the Third Reich collapses. It features a fantastic performance by Bruno Ganz and outstanding production values.

Another film in the same lane, which in my opinion is even more horrifying is COME AND SEE (1985). Truly the scariest non-horror movie ever.

Yes, please do The Pianist, great film.

The Pianist and Munich. Both incredible. Thank you for this reaction.

Shan, you very accurately found and described the subtle differences and symbology of the way these shots were created i.e. the meaning of the girl in the red coat. Well done sir.

this is by far the smartest reaction i've seen of this movie. the only one who managed to "read between the lines" of some of the secenes. thank you for watching this important movie!

Hey man, just wanted to say I am really enjoying your reactions and reviews and I've been working my way through your catalogue the last two days! Keep it up man!

Great review as usual, Shan! In 1989 I attended the Boy Scouts National Jamboree at Ft AP Hill in Virginia and one of the main items of that event was Stephen Spielberg attending to feature the new cinematography merit badge. As a director and producer, there were more useful and practical things he's could've done for those several days, but it's really great that people who have achieved tremendous success don't forget the roots of their experience.

Brilliant commentary and analysis. Keep up the good work!

Him breaking down at the end wrecks me every time.

Hi Shan. This is going to be a long comment so please bear with me. Longtime fan of your reaction channel. I truly enjoy your honest responses to the films you watch vs a number of other “reaction” channels that don’t actual react but play to the camera for their viewing audience. Compiling my enjoyment of your channel is the fact that your knowledge of cinema is top notch (from directing to sound). So when you publish a review of ANY film, it’s a guaranteed watch from me lol. No matter the subject matter, I always smile when you comment on your well noticed cinema observations (such as when you identify subtitle direction montage or nuanced audio / lighting cues placed throughout a scene / film)… and as one more praise to your channel, you see them all the time (yet so many other “reaction” channels boast their own enjoyment of cinema and miss so much on their first take of a film). So thank you for being the real deal, as well as taking the time out of your day to make / edit / and post these reactions As I simply lurk in your channel and never comment, I had to take the time out to tell you that I really appreciate you taking on hard to watch cinema like this. Schindler’s List is by far one of the toughest historical dramas to sit through. But as you’ve mentioned, it is a film that has to be seen for what it is, and what it tries to teach all of us viewing it. With your university knowledge of the subject material, you easily identify signifiers in the film that so many others simply miss (such as the grave stone road paving). This total awareness and knowledge of the time period helped you encapsulate this cinema masterpiece, turning it from a complex historical drama into a true historical “horror” film. By comparison, some of the other react channels without knowledge of the subject matter didn’t realize where the trains were going, or why luggage was being separated from the departing passengers… they didn’t grasp the full picture at the time of their viewing, and in that unknown confusion they miss what Spielberg was showing us with his masterful direction. As bleak as the subject matter is, you being a trained and well educated young man have the base knowledge to see all of this on a first take… and again, for that I thank you. On this note, I highly recommend The Pianist as a viewing. You’ve seen Spielberg show us the horrors of the holocaust, but now you should see a single story of survival. With the Pianist you follow a single story of how this same genocide impacted one of the world’s greatest Pianists and how this tragedy unfolded for him and his family. It is indeed a must watch to help funnel the story from a macro view into the micro, if there was a way that such a thing could truly ever be done. As it is also based off of a book written soon after the end of WWII, The Pianist explores the the nuances of individual survival that are mixed into this extraordinary tale of global endurance. It helps show you an individual view on the same situations that were happening at the same time as Schindler's List (I mean, viewers will see that The Pianist takes place in the exact same Ghetto... so much to cover with only two films, and it doesn't even scratch the surface of what it must have been like). As a viewer The Pianist helps ask yourself, as an individual, just what DID it take to survive such horror? What type of attitude did you need to have? What part of life is luck? What part is destiny? What things did you have to see, what stories did you have to hear? Just what did happen, to one man... and what was his story? With The Pianist, Polanski helps show the small daily examples and individual things that are lost in trying to capture the horrors of the holocaust; showing the disparities of the Large and Small Ghetto, the collaboration of people who both try to help (and hurt) the main characters, as well as the people who help the protagonist survive his ordeals. All of this combined helps puts a very identifiable single human face on a story in the midst's of a genocide that is so overpowering you can easily lose the individuals in it. It is understandable that the individual stories can be lost when trying to cover the holocaust in cinema, because the subject matter can eradicate the individual when so much horror on such a massive scale is present. But with The Pianist, it tries to show you the micro instead of the macro, and I think you need to see it. The acting, the cast, the sets, the audio, the design... all of it thought is second to none. It is a story that has to be seen... ...and you sir, would be the best person out of all of the "react" channels, to actually watch and digest it. Granted, it is a tough film as well, and it will seriously throw you about in emotions. But if you think about it, what survival story set in that time period wouldn't be complex and tough to watch? (Side Note: this is regardless of what people think of the director and his own actions / choices in life… and I would also happen to agree with many people out here, that I seriously have my druthers with what Polanski has done in his own personal life. This film needs to still be seen, even in spite of any personal misgivings one has with Polanski). So if you’re on the fence about watching The Pianist, please consider this a vote that you take the time out to see it. As bleak as the subject matter is, the story is an important one to watch, and from a personal standpoint I would really like to see your take on that film. Thanks again for everything Shan. I know it takes a lot to do this channel, but I just wanted you to know it is greatly appreciated.

This guy is astute, friendly and doesn't showboat. He's the reactor's reactor.

I stumbled upon your channel a couple of months ago and was quickly astounded, not only by the machine-like consistency of your uploads, but even more importantly by the wide variety of films you react to and review. Whereas most reaction channels choose more recent, popular films, there seems to be no barrier to the age, type of film, or genre that you're willing to tackle. Bravo! Not only that, but your reviews are thoughtful and well organized. I might not like a lot of the films that you review, but I know that it won't be long before I see another forgotten favorite appear in my feed. Keep it up. Two more things. First, please clean that poor, neglected guitar standing against the wall. It looks like it's covered in a layer of dust. Second, your reaction reminded me of another old film you might add to your poll: Gandhi (1982), directed by Richard Attenborough and staring Ben Kinsgsley in the title role. The film won eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Kingsley.

Great reaction/ analysis of a genuinely great film. I am a disabled retiree and I watch scores of reactors everyday as my main source of entertainment; and your film reactions are by far the most meaningful and intelligent. Keep it up! BTW, I saw Schindler's List on its first release (at Universal Citywalk in CA) and it was so moving that strangers were hugging and crying as they left the theater.

You are the best analyzer I’ve seen on RU-vid. Better than my classes at school.

This was a very thoughtful and excellent reaction and review of this film. Subscribed.

Shan: the best director who doesn't make movies.

I have seen this film and showed even showed it to my students. From the first time I personally saw I always praised this phenomenal and artistic work for the beautiful way it portrays these real events, from the purity of human charity to its diabolic savagery. You, however, are one of the few people that picks up on all the nuisances that Spielberg subtlety weaved into each scene like a tapestry, and have even showed me a few things that I missed before. Definitely looking forward to watching not just your mere reactions (which was great!), but your ANALYSIS as well.

Liam Neeson did a movie called The Grey from 2012, which he made shortly after his wife suddenly and tragically passed away from an accident. It's an intense dramatic thriller, that will leave you emotionally devastated. Neeson is fantastic in it; I can't recommend it enough. Conversely, Liam Neeson's several-minute-long appearance in the short comedy series Life's Too Short is one of the funniest things you could possibly imagine from a dramatic actor such as himself.

So happy to see your reaction to this epic film. My mom grew up during the war while being bombed in England. My grandfather was captain of a mine sweeping ship. Such a horrid time in history. Thanks for being so thoughtful and respectful. 💜

I was enthralled by your reaction, intelligent, compassionate and totally real

Ashleigh Burton, The Homies, ItsAPrimate, and now you Shan. You guys have definitely been on top of your game today with some great uploads.

I've been watching your reactions for a few months now and I must say that your insight, objectivity, attention to detail, enthusiasm, and emotional honesty are as impressive as they are refreshing. You're really quite astute and your knowledge of the elements of storytelling and filmmaking is really rather sharp. I always enjoy your videos and this one is no exception. Outstanding! And yes, you absolutely should watch The Pianist. It's a beautiful, heart wrenching, and historically faithful work of art. Even if you don't react to it, please do watch it for your own edification. Thank you for sharing your reactions and thoughts with us. Cheers.

My grandfather was born in 1905 in Kalisz, Poland, in the Pale of Settlement, the youngest of nine. The family had moved to Munich by the time he was 5 years old, and many of them stayed there through the 30s. He lost siblings to the Nazis, and his own story of escape is hardly believable from the safety of the present day. This movie is a powerful reminder that we must never forget what happened, or why it happened. Thank you for watching it.

@Shan Watches Movies Another really great movie about WWII ist "Downfall" (Der Untergang) from 2004. Most people know it maybe from funny memes about Hitler's angry outburst, which is then translated incorrectly. But the movie is phenomenal and the actor who played Hitler did an amazing job! The plot is a historically almost perfect representation of the last days in Hitler's Bunker in Berlin while losing the war. It's a german production, so I don't know if there is a dubbed version in English. But even just with subtitles it is really worth to be watched! Great channel! Keep it up and good luck from Germany...

I never picked up on some of the framing of the shots that you pointed out, even though I've seen this movie a lot, so thank you very much!

Great commentary! The best movie (most powerful) I have ever seen, and I try to watch it once a year, lest we forget.

I first saw this film in a theater in San Jose, California, then I bought the DVD. I have seen many, many, reviews,(some good, some not so good.) Your review is by far the very best. That you balanced technical input with opinion work perfectly.

Very good eye I never noticed the use of color between Neeson and Fiennes characters!!

The cinematography, the score, the acting, the story, the message: it’s all incredible.

A very well done reaction. Bravo!

I loved that the color movie at the start faded to B&W when the candles were extinguished and we watched the smoke rise.

I’ve seen Itzhak Perlman perform the theme from this film live. Extremely powerful.

The Pianist is great and I do recommend it. From what I understand, it's based on what the pianist, who went through it, wrote down about his experiences. So it's definitely one of the most accurate movies about the Jewish experience during world war two in existence.

1:24 "The Pianist" (2002) is worth a look, as is "Life is Beautiful" (1997).

I keep coming back to this, I don't know why. Thanks

When I do good I feel good, when I do bad I feel bad, and that's my religion. Abraham Lincoln

Glad you watched it. Everyone should be made to watch it. We are doomed to repeat these horrors if we don’t remember the past. The Holocaust was even worse in books I read and like you I’m glad it was shot in black and white. Spielberg made a masterpiece and the music was tremendously moving. The little girl in red haunted me and I think she’s what motivated Schindler to change. Great reaction Shan!

The pianist is a very good film, not quite the same, but it’s almost a companion piece showing a different perspective of events in the same general period and locations.

Great reaction. It's hard to watch and hard to talk about. Your honest, human, unscripted reactions are always spot on though. This was no exception. Yes, The Pianist is a worthy comparison. It's a devastating film with a few rays of light...very few.

In real life, thank goodness, the girl in the red dress actually survived. As terrible as all this is, her being dead in that shot was a powerful message, but there are so many inspiring stories that came out of all this horror that can give us at least some measure of hope for humanity even in the darkest pages of human history.

hi Shan, excellent reaction / analysis video. You should also do Sophie's Choice.

The book is called "Schindler's Ark", fyi

How far that little candle throws his beam, so shines a good deed in a weary world.

Quality reaction! Deep, visceral, emotional review😊 😊 Thumbs up from me. Did you say your father liked The Great Escape?? (Or was that another poster?). It’s not as shocking as Schindler’s list, but it does make you feel like you are in a POW camp. It starts slow, but once you familiarize yourself with the characters, the movie becomes more engaging - following the prisoners while they create ways to get the majority of the men to escape numbering 200 thereabouts. Some light-hearted moments and some not. Thank you again!

Another movie that is a Must is Come And See. It's a hard watch, but it's and important movie to see.

2:41 That is the music Pacino and Gabrielle Anwar dance the tango to in Scent of a Woman, and also Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies.

You know it’s a good film when you get choked up watching someone watch the film - good reaction man!

The cinematography is incredible. Speilberg’s shot selection is above reproach.

The set for the Concentration Camp that Spielberg had but still stands in a quarry south of Krakow, about half-a-mile from the site of the real camp. The real factory (as used in the film) still stands in Krakow, very near to the ghetto, which still stands, complete with it's wall.

I bawl every single time I see this film, and reaction. Every. Single. Time.

The Opening Music you said you have heard before was ALSO played in the early part of the movie of TRUE LIES ( the Comedy Spy Movie ).

Heavy heavy film I have seen numerous times it’s never easy obviously thanks Shan and yes “ The Pianist “ is excellent also , thanks again

My wife and I went to Auschwitz-Birkenau on our honeymoon. The most powerful day of my life. Great work as usual Shan!!

Love your insightful reviews, Shan! This is a fantastic film but it’s also so hard to watch movies on this subject. As a point of weirdness / interest, Ralph Fiennes is pronounced ‘Rayf Fiennes”. I always get him and Liam Neeson confused.

Around the time of _Schindler's_ release, Spielberg produced a companion documentary called _The Last Days._ A chilling, must see document. The Shoah Foundation is releasing an anniversary remaster this year. Check it out. Also, the "Ralph" in Ralph Fiennes is pronounced: *Rafe.* I know, we had trouble with it in '93.

Amon Goeth was a complete monster. Ralph Finnes frickin' nailed it!

18:04 This is my favorite scene with Ralph Fiennes because it illustrates the dichotomy of Amon Goeth. Here we have someone who isn’t a comic book Nazi the way Spielberg depicted them in the Indiana Jones movies but instead we have a human being who happens to have committed horrible deeds. He is also a man torn between his duty and his own wants and desires. He wants Hellen for himself and is willing to taste the forbidden fruit knowing that a sexual liaison between a Jew and Aryan was a crime punishable by death.

There are several great films about this subject. I think they were all made for TV movies or mini-series, "The Devil's Arithmetic" with Kirsten Dunst, "Holocaust" with Meryl Streep and James Woods and "Escape from Sobibor" with Rutger Hauer and Alan Arkin.

Just a quick side note: Ralph Fiennes’ first name is actually pronounced like “Rayf” ( like safe). Thanks so much for sharing your reaction to this film. 👍

The Pianist is an amazing movie, definitely worth a review/reaction. Also for the gun jamming scene there is a real explanation for that. The Gemans wouldn't get rid of any gun not even if they failed inspection. The good ones was went with soldiers going to the front lines and the less reliable ones went to the camps.

I've been a movie collector for a 35 years now, and here is my top 6: 1. Titanic 2. Braveheart 3. Schindler's list 4. Shawshank redemption 5. The green mile 6. Gladiator

It should be noted... that while Liam Neeson had a lengthy career prior to this movie... he was pretty unknown (at least in the US). This movie really brought his recognition to stardom levels.

Great choice, Shan.

Its been a long time but the pianist from what I remember was very good too.

The Pianist is fantastic (but harrowing as you can imagine) definitely worth watching.

The end of this movie chokes me up to tears every time I see it.