Summary:
Steven Spielberg's film Schindler's List makes use of a very rich mix of diverse filmic elements to create his heroes and villains. Spielberg does not rely on traditional narrative elements alone to portray his characters and entertain as we experience in most films.
Films are a popular form of entertainment. Films usually contain heroes and villains to make them interesting and entertaining to the viewer. Steven Spielberg's realistic film, Schindler's List, also contains heroes and villains. One of the main ways that Spielberg creates these heroes and villains is through the use of filmic elements, such as, camera usage, symbolic codes, use of music and choice of filmsetting. In Schindler's List, Spielberg's extensive use of film language plays a critical role in portraying the different characters and groups of characters to the viewer, both heroic and villainous.
Schindler's List concentrates on the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman, a womanizer, and a chain-smoking, self-centered member of the Nazi party. Throughout the film Spielberg focuses on Schindler's wealthy lifestyle and his wellbeing. Spielberg's casting of Liam Neeson in the role of Schindler contributes to the film language. Neeson is very tall, suave and handsome. He is always dressed very elegantly and with style, often with an attractive woman at his side. Schindler's voice is clear and educated and he speaks with persuasion and style. Often he is selecting cigarettes from an elegant case and drinking expensive spirits. Also Schindler always is transported in fancy limousines. The camera shots of Schindler are particularly close and frequently he is against a misty backdrop of smoke, which creates a romantic and elegant atmosphere about this character to the viewer. Schindler's lifestyle of luxury and style is in strong contrast to the style of life the Jewish people lead.
Itzhak Stern is another character where Spielberg has used film language to create and reflect demeanor and nature. Stern is cast as a small, demure, Jewish accountant, who cleverly and industriously manages the enamel pots and pans company for Schindler. Stern is much shorter than Schindler and smaller in stature. Stern does not use many words, in fact he hardly speaks. He always walks a step or two behind Schindler, never together with him, symbolizing the submission and inequality of the Jews and dominance of the Nazi's. He is not handsome with sharp features (which is in contrast to Schindler) and wears drab clothing. He only uses essential words, speaking very little and only when necessary. He is always busy, walking, working, very conscientious, industrious, persuading people to become an essential worker and therefore heroically saving their lives. Stern shows little facial expressions; he does not display emotion or express it. An example in the film that shows Stern's passive and reserved character is when Schindler invites him to drink cognac to show his gratitude and thank him. Stern sits, motionless, does not drink and does not reply. He does not respond at all, even to this act of respect from Schindler.
Another important character portrayed in the film is Goeth. He is the most obvious villain in the film. Goeth represents an evil natured Nazi who has no respect for the desperate and innocent Jews. He traumatizes the Jews. He forces them to run around naked into large chambers that look like gas rooms just for a wash. He beats the women because he knows he cannot have them and he shows no concern or remorse when he shoots them. There is one morning scene where Goeth indiscriminately shoots Jews for target practice and for no reason, to awaken him to the new day.
Goeth is most often dressed in uniform in the film symbolizing authority, power and force. His features are sharp and his actions are violent, cruel and often cowardly. When he beats Helen, his faithful Jewish servant, for example in the cellar, whom he has feelings for, the viewer sees his cruel and violent nature.
Symbolic codes in this film are a very important part of film language in adding to the portrayal of the characters. It is meaningful that Spielberg chose to project this film in black and white rather than colour,( there are actually only four instances where colour is used). This symbolizes several points. The first is this represents the time frame in which this historic event took place. Also the lack of colour emphasizes the cold, dull and bleak conditions the Jews as a collective group of characters, were facing when they were forced through this terrible period of history. These dull colours in the film send out a very authentic atmosphere of lack of hope and the sense of fear to the viewer.
The choice of setting for the film, mostly in prison camps and ghettos, also highlights the depressing and hopeless conditions for the Jewish people. The weather also forms part of the film language, being always black, dark and very cold when depicting the Jewish people.
Another important point of film language that Spielberg makes by using black and white is that this reflects the Nazis' lives. They are "black and white," as in they are not negotiable or respectful of the rules, particularly regarding humanity. The Jews on the other hand are dull and fearful and frightened. The film being in black and white reinforces the characters and their positions in life.
Finally, Spielberg's use of music forms part of the film language by reflecting what is happening in the scene. For example, there is religious music to reflect Hebrew celebrations in contrast to western music, which is played for the German celebrations.
All in all, Steven Spielberg's film Schindler's List makes use of a very rich mix of diverse filmic elements to create his heroes and villains. Spielberg does not rely on traditional narrative elements alone to portray his characters and entertain as we experience in most films. Rather Spielberg's film enlivens all our senses and emotions by his varied and clever use of film language.
This is the complete article, containing 947 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page).
