What is the effect and purpose of the technical / production strategies used in Schindler's List?
Steven Spielberg uses a number of technical and production strategies to add meaning to the film.
Black and white film: Spielberg chose to shoot this film in black and white, rather than colour, with the exception of a few scenes and moments. Why do you think he chose to do this? Consider also the use of shadow.
Symbolism: Spielberg uses symbolism to great effect throughout the film. Below are a few examples.
The girl in the red coat – This is perhaps the most obvious symbol in the film, mainly because the girl’s red coat is one of the few colours you see throughout. The girl herself represents the innocence of the Jews; the moment Schindler sees her is the moment he starts to fully comprehend the horror and violence around him. His transition is complete when he later sees her body thrown unceremoniously into the fire pit. The fact that her coat is red is significant too, for not only is red the colour of blood, danger and war, it could also symbolise the red flag the Jews waved at the Allied powers during World War 2 as a cry for help.
Schindler and his wife fleeing together: It is worth noting that when Schindler is forced to flee after peace is declared, he has his wife with him. This simple act demonstrates how much he has changed as a person – from a selfish, womanising, war-profiteering man into a caring, compassionate hero – almost as much as the ring given to him.
Piles of personal items: Nothing demonstrates the loss of life more vividly than the piles of personal items left behind after the Jewish people had been trucked off to the death camps. These simple, everyday items are a harrowing representation of the millions of lives that were lost.
Juxtaposition/Parallel Editing: Spielberg also uses juxtaposition or parallel editing to highlight the contrast between the hardships and horror the Jews suffered and the comfort and luxury members of the Nazi party experienced. An example of this is when Schindler moves into a luxury apartment in Krakow that a wealthy Jewish family have been forcibly evicted from – the image of Schindler inspecting it and lounging on the furniture is contrasted sharply with the image of the old tenants being shoved into the dank, dirty, dark room they now have to call home. What are some other examples of juxtaposition in this film? What effect do they have?
Black and white film: Spielberg chose to shoot this film in black and white, rather than colour, with the exception of a few scenes and moments. Why do you think he chose to do this? Consider also the use of shadow.
Symbolism: Spielberg uses symbolism to great effect throughout the film. Below are a few examples.
The girl in the red coat – This is perhaps the most obvious symbol in the film, mainly because the girl’s red coat is one of the few colours you see throughout. The girl herself represents the innocence of the Jews; the moment Schindler sees her is the moment he starts to fully comprehend the horror and violence around him. His transition is complete when he later sees her body thrown unceremoniously into the fire pit. The fact that her coat is red is significant too, for not only is red the colour of blood, danger and war, it could also symbolise the red flag the Jews waved at the Allied powers during World War 2 as a cry for help.
Schindler and his wife fleeing together: It is worth noting that when Schindler is forced to flee after peace is declared, he has his wife with him. This simple act demonstrates how much he has changed as a person – from a selfish, womanising, war-profiteering man into a caring, compassionate hero – almost as much as the ring given to him.
Piles of personal items: Nothing demonstrates the loss of life more vividly than the piles of personal items left behind after the Jewish people had been trucked off to the death camps. These simple, everyday items are a harrowing representation of the millions of lives that were lost.
Juxtaposition/Parallel Editing: Spielberg also uses juxtaposition or parallel editing to highlight the contrast between the hardships and horror the Jews suffered and the comfort and luxury members of the Nazi party experienced. An example of this is when Schindler moves into a luxury apartment in Krakow that a wealthy Jewish family have been forcibly evicted from – the image of Schindler inspecting it and lounging on the furniture is contrasted sharply with the image of the old tenants being shoved into the dank, dirty, dark room they now have to call home. What are some other examples of juxtaposition in this film? What effect do they have?