SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993) Movie Reaction | First Time Watch | Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley

The film's black and white aesthetic, with the singular use of color for the little girl in the red coat, is a powerful artistic choice. It visually emphasizes the innocence lost and the stark reality of the Holocaust, making her a symbol that profoundly affects Schindler and the audience.

Kristen and Brandon repeatedly highlight the black and white cinematography and the red coat as a 'visionary' and 'powerful' element that makes the film 'stronger' and 'visually captivating.' Kristen notes, 'the only thing that was red... it speaks volumes for the story.'

Oskar Schindler begins as an opportunist, leveraging the war for personal wealth. His transformation into a savior is a gradual process, subtly guided by his Jewish accountant, Itzhak Stern, who strategically places 'essential' workers in the factory. Schindler's direct observation of the ghetto's liquidation, particularly the girl in red, solidifies his commitment to saving lives.

Kristen states, 'the accountant, he's a huge hero because Schindler, he didn't know necessarily what he was getting himself into. First, it show it started as like a very selfish thing... the accountant... slowly planted this idea and planted but also showed him the truth.' Brandon adds, 'he knows already what his accountant's doing... and he kind of lets it be done because he's okay with it.'

Amon Goeth's character is portrayed as arbitrarily cruel and unpredictable, making him a truly terrifying antagonist. His actions are not bound by logic or rules, highlighting the senseless brutality of the regime. This unpredictability makes even small acts of mercy or defiance incredibly risky.

Kristen describes Goeth as 'very scary' and 'very unpredictable.' Brandon emphasizes, 'the thing that makes him so bad is there's no rules with him. You don't know what he's thinking, what he's going to do.' They recall instances like Goeth shooting people 'for no reason at all' or 'every other man with a pistol.'

The hosts discuss the philosophical idea that extreme situations, like war, reveal true character. While many succumb to evil or fear, others, like Schindler and the Jewish community, demonstrate resilience, compassion, and the enduring power of choice to do good, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Kristen argues, 'war... it either brings out the best in people or the worst.' She continues, 'bad situations bring out the true like your true self and who you are. So in a crisis... look at yourself and your actions in that moment.' Brandon agrees, 'There's always a choice. I think war makes makes it a harder choice.'