Schindler's+List+-+Ending+Scene



In one of the last scenes in the film, as Schindler prepares to flee from the Allies, the Schindlerjuden give Schindler a gold ring made from gold fillings, engraved with the above quotation from the Talmud, the book of Jewish law. After the Allied victory, Schindler is a hunted war criminal. When the workers hear he must flee, they make him the ring as a small token of their appreciation, knowing that there is no way to repay the gift of life. Stern presents the ring to Schindler, telling him the quotation is from the Talmud. The Jews want Schindler to know that by saving them, he has saved humanity. Schindler drives off disguised in a Jewish prisoner’s uniform. A flash forward is then used showing the real life Schindler Jews accompanied by the actor who played them in the film. This section is in colour. Here (in full colour) the real surviving Schindlerjuden appear. Lined up as far as the eye can see—many with their actor counterparts in the film—they place rocks on Oskar Schindler’s grave. Spielberg’s decision to show the actors accompanying the actual survivors serves two purposes. First, the scene drives home the point that the characters in the film are real people rather than just invented figures. Viewers can feel a great sense of satisfaction in seeing the actual survivors who triumphed over evil. Second, Spielberg is sending a message to all those who doubt the reality of the Holocaust that human proof of the tragedy exists and that what happened can never be erased. Witnesses to the horror are still alive to tell their tales and to make sure we never forget.

The last image from this scene is a close-up of the Jewish headstones which pave the roads of the Plazow labour camp. The camera pans over the vast line of headstones while the final credits roll across the screen.

This scene is important as it portrays the theme of the film.
 * __ Techniques used in the ending scene: __**
 * Close-up - Hands clasped with Stern, Ring, Schindler’s grave
 * Dialogue
 * Music
 * Subtitles
 * Flash forward/use of colour – Schindler Jews accompanied by actors who played them
 * Close-up panning shot - gravestone road during credits
 * __ Significance: __**
 * The power of the individual to make a difference