History Heartwarming / SchindlersList

* Tear jerking as the armless man's death was, he died believing he was useful for someone.

** The Goleszow transport wasn't in the movie, but deserves to be mentioned. In January 1945 a frozen train with about 100 Jews who had been traveling for weeks arrived in front of Brünnlitz. Many were already dead and it was clear that those who were alive would never be able to work at the factory, but Schindler employed them as "essential workers" and many survived.
* Also Emilie Schinder, through the movie and in RealLife, as she also had every opportunity to leave Oskar and the Jews, but remained just as steadfast in supporting him and saving Jewish lives no matter the sacrifice or struggle. When the real Emilie appears in the final scene at the grave of her husband, even though he had abandoned her years ago, she makes it clear that she still loves him.

* Also Emilia Schinder, through the movie and in RealLife, as she also had every opportunity to leave Oskar and the Jews, but remained just as steadfast in supporting him and saving Jewish lives no matter the sacrifice or struggle. When the real Emilia appears in the final scene at the grave of her husband, even though he had abandoned her years ago, she makes it clear that she still loves him.

* After introducing Elise to Stern, she spends the rest of the scene kindly greeting every single worker she goes by.

* Initially, Music/JohnWilliams turned down the offer to compose the score, telling Spielberg "You need a better composer than me".
Spielberg's response? "I know, but they're all dead!"

* Initially, Music/JohnWilliams turned down the offer to compose the score, thinking he was not good enough. Spielberg's response? "Everyone who is better is dead."

* At the end of the movie, Oskar speaks with the guards about their orders to exterminate all the Jews in the factory, and gives them choice - follow orders and kill them, or leave with a clear conscience ("And return to your families as men, instead of murderers"). [[WhatYouAreInTheDark Every single guard turns around and leaves]], and Nuremberg Defense be damned.

Sure, the film and the tone of the movie might be nihilistic and unflinching, but Spielberg used that to make the light brighter, especially for the ending. That's why this movie is so damn beautiful.

*** The movie was made in 1993. Today the number is closer to eight thousand.

* Oskar Schindler, throughout the movie and in RealLife.
** In the movie, they portrayed him only start caring about the workers in the middle of the movie. However in real life, he actually planned to save the Jews ''right from the start.''
** The Goleszow transport wasn't in the movie but deserves to be mentioned. In January 1945 a frozen train with about 100 Jews who had been traveling for weeks arrived in front of Brünnlitz. Many were already dead and it was clear that those who were alive would never be able to work at the factory, but Schindler employed them as "essential workers" and many survived.

** A bit later, as the Perlmans arrive at the factory...Regina sees them enter; the expression on her face says volumes.
* Early in the film, Itzhak Stern is placed on a transport to almost certain death and Schindler shows up at the Krakow train station to fetch him, coolly explaining the potential danger to "production". Despite his seemingly tranquil bluster, he clearly starts to panic when he spots Itzhak in a moving train, banging frantically on the doors of the cart. The facade is cracking...

* Tear jerking as the armless man death was, he died believing he was useful for someone.

-->"[[http://youtu.be/1HKTYYX50hQ?t=3m13s My number was 83317. I am a Holocaust survivor. It's a long way from Auschwitz to this stage]]."

--'''Stern:''' Oskar, there are ''eleven hundred'' people who are alive because of you. Look at them... There will be generations because of what you did.

* Creator/GeneSiskel's first words on the film in his and Ebert's review: "There's something I have to say to Steven Spielberg, both as a film critic and as a Jew: thank you."

* At the end of the movie, Oskar speaks with the guards about their orders to exterminate all the Jews in the factory, and gives them choice - follow orders and kill them, or leave with a clear conscience ("And return to your families as men, instead of murderers."). [[WhatYouAreInTheDark Every single guard turns around and leaves]], and Nuremberg Defense be damned.

* At the end of the movie, Oskar speaks with the guards about their orders to exterminate all the Jews in the factory, and gives them choice - follow orders and kill them, or leave with a clear conscience ("And return to your families as men, instead of murderers."). [[WhatYouAreInTheDark Every single guard turns around and leaves,]] and Nuremberg Defense be damned.

* The tear-jerking end scene where the ''real'' people Oskar saved place stones on his grave (a great sign of respect for the dead) accompanied by the actors who portrayed them, concluded with Liam Neeson laying roses in the center.

** [[http://www.auschwitz.dk/Schindlerletter.htm The letter itself.]]
* Not in the movie itself, but Spielberg's refusal to accept a salary for this movie, stating that it would be "blood money", definitely qualifies.

* Near the end of the film, there is a poignant scene where Schindler expresses remorse over not saving more; on how he could have traded more just to save one more... [[SamaritanSyndrome just one more]]...
* Producer Branko Lustig's acceptance speech for this movie's Best Picture Oscar Award began with these words:
--> "[[http://youtu.be/1HKTYYX50hQ?t=3m13s My number was 83317. I am a Holocaust survivor. It's a long way from Auschwitz to this stage.]]"
** When he ended his speech, he got a standing ovation, which almost never happens during a Best Picture speech.
* Creator/GeneSiskel's first words on the film in his and Ebert's review: "There's something I have to say to Steven Spielberg, both as a film critic and as a Jew: thank you."

* After Schindler breaks down from his guilt over not having saved one more person, dozens of his workers give him a big hug.

* At the end of the movie, Oskar tells speaks with the guards about their orders to exterminate all the Jews in the factory, and gives them choice - follow orders and kill them, or leave with a clear conscience ("And return to your families as men, instead of murderers."). [[WhatYouAreInTheDark Every single guard turns around and leaves,]] and Nuremberg Defense be damned.

* Early in the film, Itzhak Stern is placed on a transport to almost certain death and Schindler shows up at the Krakow train station to fetch him, coolly explaining the potential danger to "production". Despite his seemingly tranquil bluster, he clearly starts to panic when he spots Itzhak in a moving train, banging frantically on the doors of the cart. The facade is cracking . . .

* Near the end of the film, there is a poignant scene where Schindler expresses remorse over not saving more; on how he could have traded more just to save one more...just one more...

* At the end of the movie, Oskar tells speaks with the guards about their orders to exterminate all the Jews in the factory, and gives them choice - follow orders and kill them, or leave with a clear conscience. [[WhatYouAreInTheDark Every single guard turns around and leaves,]] and Nuremberg Defense be damned.

*** The movie was made in 1993. Today the number is closer to seven thousand.