Why does Schindler's List have one of the most tragic climaxes in cinema history?
The movie is about a visionary member of the Nazi party who steps foot in Poland to create a successful industry but ends up saving the lives of over 1000 people during World War II.
Oskar Schindler wanted to take over a Jewish and Polish-owned business and Germanize it. He comes to Poland on a mission to earn loads of money by starting his own Enamel industry with the help of forced Jewish labor. He hired an accountant named Itzhak Stern, who greatly contributed to recruiting laborers and establishing the company. As time went by, Oskar saw how mercilessly people were killed and knew officers didn't care about their lives. He then met Amon Goeth, a remorseless leader of the Nazi party when he wanted to make some adjustments for his factory. Until then, Schindler had established a fortune in the industry and was a well-known businessman.
To stay in good light of Goet, Oskar agreed with most of what he had to say and developed a friendship. However, being close to Amon meant more violence around him as the ruthless leader wouldn't think a moment to shoot a Jew. Schindler gradually showed empathy towards the troubled Jews and their misery. He spent more time helping the Jews than expanding his business, spending loads of money that Oskar earned from the Enamel industry.
The movie is about a selfless German, who saved over a thousand lives. The film alone can teach you the price of life and how one person can make a huge difference. While it is based on the harsh reality of World War II, Schindler's List also depicts peak storytelling throughout the movie.
Oskar's constant struggle to keep people alive
While Oskar developed a good friendship with Goet, he learned about Germans planning to wipe out the majority of the European Jewish population by transporting them to killing centers through rail cars. During one instance of the film, more than enough detainees were piled in these cars. The overcrowding in every compartment led to the suffocation of people in it and begged for air through a small window.
The selfless man couldn't ignore their voices of pain and decided to help them, regardless of Amon Goeth and other officers' authorization. To prevent them from suffocating, Oskar sprayed water into the compartments through the windows in each and every compartment of the railcar. Meanwhile, the rest of the officers were laughing at his vain efforts, except Geoth. The cruel leader amazingly gazed right into Schindler's eyes as he helped the deportees, as Goeth tried to comprehend his sympathy for them. This scene was a huge turning point in the movie as Oskar openly assisted the concerned people. From here, the German Industrialist willingly stood up for the detainees and helped them whenever he saw one in agony.
Rescuing more than 1000 lives
In 1944, Jews were about to be transported to Auschwitz's camp to eradicate millions of them. Oskar Schindler then decided to request and bribe his friends at high places to rescue some of his industry workers. He and his accountant Itzhak Stern made a list that carried every Jew name he knew for them to save, which had more than 1000 names.
When asked the reason for transporting them, Schindler explained that the detainees would help to produce ammunition for Germans. He then transported Jews to Bruennlitz and named the place as a sub-camp.
The Regret
When World War II ended, Oskar left Bruennlitz and relocated to Regensburg. The movie had one of the most heart-aching scenes in Hollywood's history during its climax. While Oskar was leaving the sub-camp, he realized that many more people could have been saved if he had sacrificed more things.
Throughout the film, the audience can see the increase of Schindler as more and more people die in front of his house. Also, the more money he earns, Oskar learns that money has no value compared to people and drains every penny to save people.
