A German Tries To Save His Jewish Employees From The German Soldiers

Summary

The video offers an in-depth look at the Oscar-winning film 'Schindler's List,' a historical war-drama based on true events. It follows Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who initially seeks profit by employing Jews in his factory during the Holocaust. As the horrors of the Nazi regime unfold, Schindler's motivations shift, leading him to risk everything to save over a thousand lives by creating a list of essential workers for his factory. The film poignantly captures the transformation of a profiteer into a savior, highlighting the power of individual choice amidst the darkest chapters of history.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The film 'Schindler's List' is a historical war-drama based on true events, highlighting the atrocities of the Holocaust.
• 🇵🇱 The movie opens with the German invasion of Poland in 1939, leading to the forced relocation of Polish Jews to Krakow.
• 📋 The bureaucratic process of registering Jews is depicted, showing the initial stages of systematic persecution.
• 🍷 Oskar Schindler, a German businessman, strategically builds relationships with Nazi officials to gain influence and access.
• 🏭 Schindler acquires an enamelware factory, using Jewish investors and employing Jews as cheap labor, which also protects them from deportation.
• 🤝 Schindler's relationship with Itzhak Stern, his Jewish accountant, is pivotal in the operation of the factory and the eventual saving of lives.
• 🔄 The film illustrates the harsh realities within the Krakow Ghetto and the brutal efficiency of the Plaszów concentration camp.
• 👗 Amon Goeth, a sadistic Nazi officer, is portrayed as a symbol of the cruel and arbitrary power wielded in the camps.
• 📜 Schindler compiles a list of workers to save them from extermination, showcasing his transformation from profiteer to savior.
• 💸 Schindler's financial sacrifices to bribe Nazi officials and secure the safety of his workers are a testament to his commitment.
• 🕍 Post-liberation, Schindler is honored by the Jews he saved, and his legacy is cemented as a Righteous Among the Nations.

Q & A

What is the historical context of the movie 'Schindler's List'?

The movie is set during World War II, starting with the German Army's defeat of the Polish Army in late 1939, which led to the relocation of Polish Jews to Krakow.

Who is Oskar Schindler and what is his initial motivation in the film?

Oskar Schindler is a German businessman and member of the Nazi Party who initially seeks to profit from the war by opening an enamelware factory using Jewish investors and workers.

What role does Itzhak Stern play in Schindler's business?

Itzhak Stern is an accountant who becomes Schindler's right-hand man, helping him manage the factory and ensuring that as many Jews as possible are employed there to save them from the Nazis.

Why does Schindler choose to hire Jews for his factory instead of Poles?

Schindler hires Jews because they are less expensive to employ and can be declared 'essential' workers, which protects them from being deported to concentration camps.

How does Schindler's perspective on his role in the war change throughout the film?

Initially profit-driven, Schindler's perspective shifts as he witnesses the atrocities of the Holocaust, leading him to actively work to save as many Jews as possible.

What is the significance of the red coat in the film?

The red coat worn by a young girl amidst the black-and-white scenes symbolizes the innocence and vulnerability of the victims amidst the horrors of the Holocaust.

Who is Amon Goeth and what is his role in the story?

Amon Goeth is a sadistic Nazi officer who oversees the construction and operation of the Plaszów concentration camp, where he orders and participates in the execution of Jews.

What is the significance of the 'Schindler's List' and how does it affect the fate of the listed Jews?

The 'Schindler's List' is a document created by Schindler and Stern that lists the names of over 1,100 Jews who are saved from extermination by being employed in Schindler's factory.

How does Schindler sabotage his own factory to protect his workers?

Schindler intentionally produces low-quality goods to ensure that his factory's output fails quality control, thus preventing the workers from being sent to the front lines or other dangerous assignments.

What is the outcome for Schindler and his workers at the end of the war?

At the end of the war, Schindler is forced to flee due to his Nazi affiliations, but not before ensuring the safety of his workers. He is later recognized as a righteous person by the Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.

What is the final act of gratitude from the Schindler Jews towards Oskar Schindler?

The Schindler Jews present Schindler with a ring made from a worker's gold teeth, inscribed with the Talmudic phrase 'Whoever saves one life, saves the entire world,' as a token of their gratitude.