Oskar Schindler was born on April 28, 1908, in Svitavy, Moravia, then part of Austria-Hungary. His early life was marked by business ventures and a somewhat tumultuous personal life. Before the outbreak of World War II, Schindler was involved in various enterprises, some of which were of dubious legality, including espionage for the Abwehr, the intelligence service of Nazi Germany.
In 1939, following the German invasion of Poland, Schindler moved to Kraków and acquired an enamelware factory, which he renamed Deutsche Emailwarenfabrik (DEF). Using his connections within the Nazi Party, Schindler secured contracts to produce enamelware for the German military. This factory would become a refuge for many Jews, as Schindler began employing them to save them from deportation to concentration camps.
The Kraków Ghetto was established in March 1941, forcibly relocating Jews into a confined area of the city. Conditions in the ghetto were harsh, with overcrowding, starvation, and disease prevalent. The film's portrayal of the ghetto accurately reflects the dire circumstances and the brutal reality faced by its inhabitants.
A significant figure in both history and the film is Amon Göth, the commandant of the Plaszow labor camp. Göth was notorious for his cruelty, and his depiction in the film by Ralph Fiennes captures the terror he inflicted on prisoners. Historical records confirm Göth's sadistic behavior, including arbitrary executions and severe mistreatment of camp inmates.
One of the most iconic elements of the story is the creation of "Schindler's List," a roster of Jewish workers deemed essential to the war effort, thus sparing them from deportation to extermination camps. The list was compiled by Schindler and his Jewish accountant, Itzhak Stern. While the film dramatizes certain aspects of this process, the essential facts remain true: the list was a lifeline for over 1,200 Jews.
As the Red Army advanced in 1944, Schindler received permission to move his factory to Brünnlitz in Czechoslovakia, ostensibly to continue war production. In reality, this move was a strategic effort to save his workers from the advancing front and potential execution. The relocation process, including the harrowing train journey depicted in the film, aligns closely with historical accounts.
While "Schindler's List" strives for historical accuracy, it incorporates composite characters and condensed timelines for dramatic effect. For instance, certain characters in the film represent amalgamations of multiple real individuals, and some events are shifted chronologically to enhance narrative coherence.
The film portrays Schindler's transformation from a profit-driven opportunist to a humanitarian hero. This character arc is somewhat simplified; historical accounts suggest Schindler's motivations were complex, driven by a mix of genuine compassion, opportunism, and a desire to resist Nazi atrocities. Spielberg's interpretation, while not entirely inaccurate, emphasizes a more straightforward redemption narrative.
After the war, Oskar Schindler faced financial difficulties and struggled to rebuild his life. Despite these challenges, he maintained contact with many of the Jews he had saved, receiving support and recognition from them. In 1963, Schindler was honored as a "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial, acknowledging his extraordinary efforts to save Jewish lives.
"Schindler's List" has had a profound impact on public understanding of the Holocaust. The film's realistic portrayal of events has educated millions about the horrors of this period and the capacity for individual heroism amidst widespread atrocity. It serves as a poignant reminder of the impact one person can have in resisting evil.
