Jewish Movie

Jewish Movie

Steven Spielberg was originally attracted to the Jewish movie Schindler's List in 1982 when Thomas Keneally's book, Schindler's Ark, was published to critical acclaim. What drew Steven Spielberg to the novel was its emphasis on the experiences of individual people, which help anchor the reader emotionally within the overwhelming events of the Holocaust.

Jewish Movie - Schindler's List

One of the best movies about the Holocaust and most ambitious productions ever to be filmed in Poland, principal photography began on Schindler's List in Krakow on March 1, 1993. This Jewish movie was completed 72 days later, four days ahead of schedule. The predominantly Polish crew was complemented by workers from England, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Canada, Israel and the United States, including many Polish-Americans.

One of the few Polish cities to escape devastation during World War II, Krakow was listed by UNESCO in 1978 as one of the great historic cities of the world. "We had a tremendous set in Krakow itself," explained Holocaust movie producer Gerald R. Molen. "It's a wonderful piece of history. We used the city in so many different ways: the streets, the buildings, the ambiance." The production also used many original locations, including Schindler's old factory and the elegant apartment he lived in during his time in Krakow when filming the Jewish movie. Both buildings remain almost exactly as they were just over 50 years ago, such authenticity helped to make Schindler's List one of the best movies about the holocaust.

Many renowned locations were utilized in and around the historic city when filming this Jewish movie: the 14th century Church of St. Mary's, Krakow's most important church; Rynek Glowny, one of the largest and most distinctive market squares in Europe; the train station of Krakow Glowny; many streets and buildings in Stare Miasto (Old Town); and the quaint town of Niepolomice. Production designer Allan Starski also built a replica of the forced labor camp Plaszow, one of the largest sets ever built in Poland. The Jewish movie set was constructed using plans from the original camp. Overall, the company built 34 barracks and seven watchtowers and also recreated the road into the camp that was paved with Jewish tombstones helping to make Schindler's List one of the best movies about Holocaust.

Production for the Jewish movie Schindler's List also spent two days filming outside the fences of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where a symbolic scene of prisoners leaving the train and entering the camp was staged. Located in the industrial town of Oswiecim, the desolate camp stands today as a memorial to the millions murdered there by the Nazis.

More about Schindler's List - One of the Best Movies About Holocaust

Spielberg hopes Schindler's List will renew public awareness about the Holocaust and help encourage audiences to explore its legacy in modern society. Now you can learn more about the Jewish movie Schindler's List and the new DVD at the Official web site: Schindlerslist.com.

Jewish Movie | Survivors Of The Holocaust | Buy DVDs | Buy Schindler's List DVD
©2004 Universal Studios