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This past week, I returned to the movie theatre after a lengthy absence for my requisite popcorn fix… and immersion into the drama of a historical story that could so easily be lost.
Let me take you along on this journey where I compare my probable all-time favourite movie alongside a “newcomer” that sizzles with a similar power to amaze us with what humanity is capable of.
If you had to choose, which one would you watch?
In the vast library of cinema, both of these films tiptoe the balance of unimaginable tragedy and darkness, with immense redemption, compassion, and courage.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, Schindler’s List and One Life illuminate different facets of the Holocaust, one a harrowing descent into the abyss, the other a flicker of hope on a train journey to an uncertain future.
Schindler’s List (1993)
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Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List is a masterpiece of stark realism. We enter the narrative alongside Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist initially driven by self-preservation and profit.
Liam Neeson’s portrayal is chillingly real, his transformation from opportunist to reluctant saviour etched on his face. We see it flicker in his stolen glances at the girl in the red coat – a vibrant splash of colour amidst the crushing monochrome world of Nazi-occupied Krakow.
Janusz Kamiński’s cinematography is a masterclass in creating atmosphere. The Krakow ghetto is painted in shades of grey, the snow falling like ash, clinging to the threadbare coats of those whose lives hang in the balance. The camera lingers on the haunting beauty of a young girl skipping through the snow, oblivious to the horror that unfolds around her.
Then, with a brutal shift, we witness the liquidation of the ghetto, the methodical cruelty of the Nazis stripping humanity from their victims. The silence is broken only by the heart-wrenching cries and the rhythmic crunch of boots on frozen ground.
The performances in Schindler’s List are nothing short of extraordinary. Ralph Fiennes embodies the sadistic SS officer, Amon Göeth… perched on his balcony, rifle in hand, casually picking off Jews in the ghetto like crows. With eyes devoid of empathy, his chilling presence hangs heavy over every scene, a constant reminder of the monstrous capacity for evil that lurks within humanity.
Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Itzhak Stern, the quiet orchestrator behind Schindler’s list, is a blueprint in understated power. Their scenes crackle with tension over the desperate negotiations and moral compromises made in the face of annihilation.
Yet, amidst the bleakness, a flicker of hope remains. Schindler’s transformation is a testament to the power of empathy. We see it in his growing horror at the unfolding atrocities, in his defiance against Göeth, and in his unwavering determination to save as many lives as possible.
The film ends on a haunting note, Schindler collapsing in tears as he and his wife leave the ghetto for the last time.
We are left with a profound question: in the face of such overwhelming evil, would we have found the courage to do the same?
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One Life (2024)
One Life introduces us to Nicholas Winton, a London stockbroker who becomes an unlikely hero. Anthony Hopkins portrays the elderly Winton with quiet resolve, his eyes reflecting the sorrow of a world teetering on the brink. Johnny Flynn is the younger version of Hopkins who refuses to give up in his lifesaving quest.
Unlike Schindler, Winton is not a larger-than-life figure. He’s an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances, a man who chooses to act when faced with the systematic degradation and starvation of Jewish children in Czechoslovakia.
Zac Nicholson’s cinematography creates a sense of intimacy, drawing us into Winton’s world. We see the worry etched on his face as he grapples with the weight of his mission. The camera lingers on his hands meticulously scribbling names on a list, each stroke a testament to his unwavering determination.
Helena Bonham Carter delivers a powerful performance as Winton’s mother, Babi. Her quiet strength and unwavering love provide a steady source of support amidst the chaos.
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One Life doesn’t shy away from the emotional toll Winton’s actions take. We see the sleepless nights, the gnawing fear of discovery, the frustration of knowing he can’t save everyone. But it also captures the quiet moments of triumph – the look of relief on a child’s face as they board the train, the flicker of hope for a new life.
The film winds down with powerful images – the train doors closing, carrying the children to an uncertain, unknown future as the Nazis invade Czechoslovakia.
And in his elder years, we see Winton’s face reflecting a mix of exhaustion, relief… and finally… the profound knowledge that his actions have changed countless lives.
We are left wondering, what small act of kindness could we initiate today, to ripple outwards and make a difference?
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Schindler’s List and One Life are not competing narratives, but rather complementary pieces of a larger story.
Schindler’s List confronts us with the depths of human cruelty, forcing us to wonder about the darkness that resides within us all.
One Life offers a glimmer of hope, reminding us of the power of ordinary people to choose compassion in the face of overwhelming odds.
Why watch one and not the other? I’d hate to choose; perhaps because Schindler’s List immerses us in the abyss, while One Life offers a glimmer of light.
But both are vital. One screams of humanity’s capacity for cruelty; the other whispers of its capacity for compassion. Watch them side by side, and you’ll understand—the shadows and the light are woven from the same cloth.
So choose your path. Dive into the monochrome abyss or follow the train tracks to hope.
Either way, you’ll leave the theatre disturbed and changed—a witness to history at its ugliest, and through compassion and courage, perhaps its finest as well.
In these films, you’ll find not just celluloid but fragments of your own soul.
And so, the reels spin, weaving tales of courage and frailty, of darkness and dawn.
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AFTERTHOUGHTS… there are parallels with these films in today’s world… we only need look at Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Syria.
Here’s a current Canadian story… there is a 9 year-old boy named Yahya in Gaza, whose parents, sister, and two brothers were killed when a rocket flattened the home where they’d been sheltering in early February.
The youngster barely survived, buried under crushed brick and concrete, shattering several bones in his arms and legs.
Even though he’s cleared the huge hurdle of being able to leave, other major obstacles remain.
In his case, it’s the huge cost of his medical bills, which would have to be borne by his Canadian sponsor, his uncle in Montreal.
“His full medical costs will not be covered by the [Canadian] government but by me,” said the uncle, Hamad. “Medical costs in Canada are not cheap.”
In an earlier interview, the family estimated they needed to find $40,000 to cover the boy’s treatment and recovery. So far, a GoFundMe page set up by supporters has raised $4,170.
To help just One Life, here is the link to Yahya’s GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/yahya-the-sole-survivor
Man On The Fringe 