For me, however, the most compelling scene is the one where Oscar Schindler (Liam Neeson) encourages Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes) to exercise the latter’s power in prudence. In this scene, Goeth is so drunk that Schindler is convinced he can do something to change the Goeth’s murderous streak. As commander of the Krakow concentration camps, Goeth has the power of life and death over thousands of Jewish prisoners held by the Germans in that part of Poland during World War II. Steven Spielberg’s masterful storytelling effectively conveys the absolute power which Goeth wields.
Goeth so revels in his power over the Jews that he enjoys them at random. Schindler, eventually moved by his conscience, tries to stop the murderous commander by convincing Goeth that he is already powerful enough and that killing the Jews does not enhance his stature. Schindler argues that Goeth’s real power would be best demonstrated if he pardons the Jews instead of executing them, which is in accordance with Hitler’s Nazi policy. Given that "reality," all Jews were virtually dead. Their continuing existence was a mere lease in answer to the labor needs of the German war efforts.
Schindler tickles Goeth’s imagination by suggesting that going against Hitler’s order is the real measure of power.
We’ll never know if Goeth actually entertained the idea that he could rise above the Fuhrer – at least in this domain. What the movie shows is that Goeth tries to translate Schindler’s advice into action. He pardons a girl being beaten by a German guard and a boy who mistakenly leaves his horse’s harness on the floor. Yet Goeth’s resolve collapses when he shoots the same boy just because he fails to remove a speck of dirt on Goeth’s tub.
I guess this is the central theme of Schilndler’s List. It’s all about power and how people can be bent on acquiring it, exercising it, holding on to it. We’ve seen how many of us have gotten so caught up in power. History has shown us how such people have failed. And yet, we see leaders hanging on to power at whatever the cost. Maybe, it’s time our leadership comes to terms with what real power is all about. But there lies the glitch.
Even the movie does not define what real power is – perhaps because that’s how it is in real life. Spielberg’s protagonist, Oscar Schindler, for all his efforts to save the Jews, himself admits near movie’s end that he has failed to save more Jews because he had been so selfish that he did not give up the pleasures of life that could have given the Jews a fresh start. This scene where Schindler, who realizes he could have done more, is so moving.
Perhaps as humans, we can only do so much. Either we are prevented by circumstances from enacting our good nature to the hilt, or our own nature prevents us from doing real good. Indeed, good intentions can only take us so far and from there we’re on our own.
Which brings to mind our coming election. This movie should remind us that confidence alone in our leaders will never lead us to salvation for leaders can never be entirely relied on. Candidates are dishing out promises for us to consider, many of which will most likely not be fulfilled.
As the Jews were almost doomed to extinction by the likes of Hitler and Goeth pushing them to the abyss, so are we with the likes of dubious leaders pushing us to ravines of despair.
There may be alternative candidates but sadly, they are bound by limitations in the same way that Oscar Schindler was limited by his circumstances.
Schindler’s List is a beautiful film that shows us the extent to which power can be used – and abused.