Schindler's List

German businessman and Nazi Party member Oskar Schindler initially exploits cheap Jewish labor in occupied Poland for profit, but gradually risks his fortune and life to protect over a thousand Jewish workers from deportation to Auschwitz. His transformation unfolds against the brutal liquidation of the Kraków Ghetto and the operations of the Płaszów concentration camp.

The film dramatizes the true story of Oskar Schindler, who saved approximately 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his enamelware and munitions factories, set against the German occupation of Poland, the Kraków Ghetto, and the Płaszów camp run by commandant Amon Göth.

Based on Thomas Keneally's novel drawing on survivor testimony and Schindler's own list; broadly accurate though some scenes and timelines are compressed or dramatized for narrative effect.

Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, joined by the Soviet Union on 17 September. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days after the invasion began.

The Westerplatte depot near Danzig held out for seven days against overwhelming odds and became a national symbol. Warsaw was besieged and surrendered on 28 September; the last regular units capitulated in early October.

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall

Positioned at 1939–1945 within the German occupation of Poland phase of the war, as part of the The Holocaust. This is entry 20 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Holocaust
• Oskar Schindler
• Kraków Ghetto
• Płaszów
• Amon Göth

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  The Pianist

  1939–1945

• 

  Swing Kids

  1939

• 

  Mrs. Miniver

  1939–1940

• 

  Uprising

  19 April – 16 May 1943

• 

  Judgment at Nuremberg

  1947

• 

  Life Is Beautiful

  1939–1945