TMT: “This list… is an absolute good.”
This is the next entry in a Theatre… a Movie… and a Time, a series that was begun here. Two separate but relative film items induced this particular theatre, movie memory. The first being my initial-viewing of the 2004 thought-provoking documentary, Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust, last month. The other, my colleague ckckred‘s 2012 piece, Stanley Kubrick on Schindler’s List, I only recently found:
“Schindler’s List is perhaps the highest praised film of the last twenty years and one of the most heralded. Though Kubrick does have a valid point, I feel he’s missing the message of Schindler’s List. Spielberg’s story not only was about the Holocaust, but the redemption of a man. Oskar Schindler’s rescue of hundred of Jews is not only heroic and brave, but also touching to the audiences.”
Theatre
The AVCO Centre Cinemas:
Movie
Time
December 29, 1993: Show me the child of a war veteran and I’ll show you someone, at some time or another, compelled to look in-depth at the historical conflict that drew their parent in. It’s a given, at least for me. In my case that was World War II, the Pacific Theater campaign specifically. The enormous scale and scope of a world at war meant any study couldn’t stay in one area of action, though. With what occurred in Europe, sooner or later any leafing through history will force you to come to terms with slaughter unimaginable.
That being the mass murder of Jews under Nazi Germany during this period, aka The Holocaust. Even with the war’s wholesale destruction and loss of life across Europe and Asia, spanning the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the systematic and bureaucratic killing of approximately six million Jews by Hitler’s regime remains a shocking and sobering deed. Still difficult to fully comprehend, then and now.
When Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List was released in 1993 everyone I knew was fully aware of its content going in. And the film’s power to upset and move viewers. Back then, L.A.’s westside venues screened the film to packed houses throughout that first month. Especially on weekends. Many wrote or spoke out about their experience and its impact. So, it was during a weekday evening that my wife and I attended this at the AVCO Centre Cinemas (I’d pre-bought tickets).
To this day it remains one of the most searing and affecting movie experiences. For both of us. Ever since, every few years I’ll re-watch the film at home. It’s difficult for me to screen it more often than that. It would be because, almost twenty years later, the film’s lost none of its power.
The entire TMT series can be found here. If you’re interested how it’s put together, click here.
It Rains... You Get Wet 
23 Responses to “TMT: “This list… is an absolute good.””
Thanks for the mention! Schindler’s List really is a powerful movie.
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My pleasure, ckckred. I enjoyed your article and observations of this stellar film. Thank you.
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I love Schindler’s List although it is a difficult watch. But the difficulty lies in the power and potency of the film. It has an amazing ability to bring the truth of the Holocaust home. I also 100% agree that it’s a story about the redemption of a man.
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Oh gosh, yes. It’s probably what brings me back to the film. Thanks, Keith.
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It’s been a long time since Ive seen it. Mainly because it’s so powerful… It was definitely a really rough watch the first time I saw it (emotionally, of course, not saying it was a bad film)
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I understand perfectly, Fogs. That first time with the film makes for a remarkable and indelible experience. Many thanks, my friend.
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This is one of the most heartbreaking films I’ve seen to date. I mean just hearing John William’s theme of Schindler’s List makes me tear up every single time as it conjures up the scenes from the film. Great TMT, Michael, as always!
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I freely admit I’ve never been able to keep a dry eye in any of my viewings (theater or home). I don’t think it’s ever going to happen with this film. Great point of Williams’ score, Ruth. Thank you.
p.s., I do recommend streaming the ‘Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust’ documentary on Netflix. It is quite thought-provoking history.
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I’ve not seen Schindler’s List, which is a shocking thing to say, I know! It’s sat at home on my shelf waiting to be watched but I just haven’t got round to it. Need to sort that out.
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I do recommend it. Just prepare yourself for the experience. Thanks, TM.
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I haven’t seen Schindler’s List for a number of years now. It isn’t my favorite Spielberg film but it is definitely a powerful experience and one, quite rightly, not easily forgotten.
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I understand completely, Dan. Many thanks for the read and comment, my friend.
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I still recall the theater I saw this movie in as well. It was recently transformed into a retero theater and closed. The thing about this movie with me is that is so affected me that I have only watched it once, I am not sure if I have it in me to ever see it again, although I often have wanted to. It is easily one of my all time favorite movies.
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Believe me, I understand your point. It took a lot to get me to pop in the VHS tape of this years ago and watch it at home. I think I told myself I could stop if it got to be too much. Thanks for sharing that, mummbles.
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Great post as always, my friend.
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Thanks so much, Fernando.
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Well said, Michael. I didn’t get to see Schindler’s List until just a couple years ago, and it is still amazingly heartbreaking. I don’t think I could handle seeing it again, at least not for a long time.
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It is amazingly heartbreaking. The film is quite a feat in filmmaking. Like me, perhaps in few years you’ll come back to see it again. Many thanks, Eric.
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i remember watching this for the first time. It wasn’t in a theater…it was in my living room about 5 years ago. so moving. I almost pressed the “stop” button on 3 separate parts but knew I had to finish it. so moving, so heartbreaking, so respectful, so touching. Spielberg really left a lasting impression and did it expertly.
i haven’t seen it since.
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I understand completely, T. Powerful, heartbreaking film, indeed. Thanks.
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Awesome new look Michael!! Sorry I didn’t notice the change before, looks splendid.
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Thanks a lot, Ruth. I made the change today, in fact. It’s been two years since I came over to WordPress and I thought it was time to try something different 😀
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Awesome Michael! Love it!
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