Schindler's List on DVD March 9

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

Universal has officially released a statement in which they anounce Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List will be released on DVD March 9 of next year.

It's not really a film I would buy (I don't see myself kicking back to watch something like SL for fun), but it's a masterpiece nonetheless. With one of John's best scores of course.

Here's the news:

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/446/446903p1.html

Just thought you should like to know.

- Marc,

[Elmo Lewis 6]

Excellent. I have been longing for this movie for ages.

It's not a movie I would like to watch repeteadly either, but I still will buy it. I want to have it so I can study it slowly, and also I like to keep movies for reference - and I like to lend my favorite movies to friends, so that's also a good motivation. Never will enough people see Schindler's List.

[ocelot 445]

It's a fabulous movie and So well done in every aspect.

[Romão 1,931]

Yes!!!Finally.

I hope it contains footage of the recording of the score.

[Miguel Andrade 964]

Yes!!!Finally.

I hope it contains footage of the recording of the score.

I have a snipet of SL recording sessions somewhere... I'll try to find the tape to show it to you tomorrow.

[HPFAN_2 0]

I never watched it!

[Morn 7]

It's so overly sentimental as too appear made up, contrived and fake, why did they have to pick such a unusual and atypical story from the holocaust too, I would prefer something more brutal to show the terror of the event, like something set in the awful V2 underground factories about trying to survive, where thousands of people were worked and starved to death. The Pianist is right on the mark for a holocaust movie, note that the director even is a survivor

But SL is still a good movie mostly, especially if you ignore the terrible I could have done more scene.

[Morlock 9]

I think the Pianist is great as a historical document, but doesn't really work as a dramatic presentation. I've seen it twice and see no possible reason to see it again.

Schindler's List is a masterpiece in every sense, and if the ending didn't work for some people I think it just has to do with the time, place and mood you see the movie in. If you're into it- it's sweeping, involving and real. If your not- it's overly sentimental. And I think the film is correct in being more optimistic and more relenting than The Pianist- it's leaves a message of hope as well as the horror of the events. The scenes in Schindler's List actualy depicting the horror go a long way, and I found them much more evocative and stirring than the ones in The Pianist (except for one in The Pianist, which stuck with me for a long time).

[Trumpeteer 243]

Schindler's List and The Pianist work well in their own ways. Each director, writer, actor, etc., viewed the Holocaust differently and brought different things to it.

Basically, there's no one way to view the Holocaust. There have been so many fine movies centered around the Holocaust that it shows that this topic can be filmed for years and not run out of inspiration.

I look forward to the Schindler's List DVD. I watch the movie once a year, and would love to replace my VHS copy.

Jeff -- hoping for a great music featurette

[Melange 446]

I'm not sure about Schindler's List on DVD. Like others have said, i'm not sure if it's one i'd watch that often. Because of the astronomical cost of DVD's in Britain, i only buy a DVD for a very special reason. It has to be one of my absolute favourites that i know i'll watch again and again. They're just far too expensive here, to find out quickly that you wont watch them anywhere near as often as you thought you would when you purchased it very eargerly.

[Morlock 9]

I actualy don't have on it VHS. I only saw it for the first time three years ago, and ever since then I've been borrowing it from people every 6 months or so.

[Romão 1,931]

Schindler's List is my all time favorite movie. There is not a single thing about this movie I would change.Everything is spot on.

As for The Pianist, as great a movie as it was, I actually thought it was not emotional enough.

[Morlock 9]

Schindler's List, The Godfather and Amadeus are my absolute favorite movies. Then there are about 2 dozen at second place.

[jasonblueeyes 0]

Schindler's List is the greatest film of the past 13 years. This movie completely absorbed me and transported me into Hell for 3 and a half hours. I mean in that in the highest possible complimentary way. For a film to take you and involve you is an extradorinary accomplishment. I saw this in the theatre 10 years ago and when it was over grown men walked out in tears.

This film is a once in a lifetime film experience.

This is the greatest piece of filmaking in like 20 years.

Speilberg's shots are amazing. Nobody can frame a shot like he can.

And of course the score completely peirces the heart.

I can't wait for March 9th.

[Morn 7]

And I think the film is correct in being more optimistic and more relenting than The Pianist- it's leaves a message of hope as well as the horror of the events.

The Pianist is very hopeful actually, he made it through all of that alive! And a German soldier helped him. What can be more hopeful? And it just feels real and down to earth helped by it's realism, SL is out there. Too many typical hollywood cliches and fake sentimentalism.

The scenes in Schindler's List actualy depicting the horror go a long way, and I found them much more evocative and stirring than the ones in The Pianist (except for one in The Pianist, which stuck with me for a long time).

Not really, because of the fake atmosphere of the movie it felt more like a horror movie than the holocaust!!! I mean honestly, The Pianist impacts you with the nature of the event, SL feels more like watching Red Dragon or Hannibal. I just didn't buy it.

[King Mark 2,924]

It's an unslaught of Morn tonight.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

I won't be getting it. SL is a great film but hardly Spielberg's best, and the ending is pure smaltz and lies.

But as others have said, I would not want to watch it over and over. It has alot of powerful scenes that need to be taken for what they are. No human should ever get used to the horrors of those scenes.

[AC1 3,565]

Schindler's List is the greatest film of the past 13 years. This movie completely absorbed  me and transported me into Hell for 3 and a half hours. I mean in that in the highest possible complimentary way. For a film to take you and involve you is an extradorinary accomplishment. I saw this in the theatre 10 years ago and when it was over grown men walked out in tears.  

This film is a once in a lifetime film experience.

This is the greatest piece of filmaking in like 20 years.

Speilberg's shots are amazing. Nobody can frame a shot like he can.

And of course the score completely peirces the heart.

I can't wait for March 9th.

I felt and feel the same.

----------------

Alex Cremers

[Morlock 9]

Not really, because of the fake atmosphere of the movie it felt more like a horror movie than the holocaust!!! I mean honestly, The Pianist impacts you with the nature of the event, SL feels more like watching Red Dragon or Hannibal. I just didn't buy it.

I didn't think the atmosphere was fake at all, and you and Joe are the first people I actually know something about that would call the end nothing more than schmaltz.

The scene where the women and children are sent to Auschwitz- to me that was terrifying, and very real. He used the look of the camp to evoke pure horror- but that's what it was. And despite having gothic horror scenes- neither Red Dragon nor Hannibal were the least bit scary.

The Pianist wasn't optimistic- it spoke of a single hero who survived, and not because of his persistance, but because of luck and because of connections. Schindler's List told about one man, who had absolutely no reason to save 1100 people, other than the fact that they were human beings. And he was liar, conman, cheated on his wife and was selfish. That is optimism for human kind- not half a dozen people helping one other person who they know or know someone that knows him.

I won't be getting it. SL is a great film but hardly Spielberg's best, and the ending is pure smaltz and lies.

 But as others have said, I would not want to watch it over and over.  It has alot of powerful scenes that need to be taken for what they are.  No human should ever get used to the horrors of those scenes.

'Pure smaltz and lies'? where are there lies? the fact that the one before the last scene didn't happen like that doesn't make it a lie- it is emotionaly true. There are just as many lies in every historical movie ever made (including the Pianist).

I've seen it 5-6 times to date- and the scenes don't lose a bit of their power. It is still heartbraking to see the girl in the Red Dress, and what happens to her.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

Schindler didn't cry, he wasn't the nice guy he appeared in the film. The horrible I could have saved more by selling this car scene, oh don't get me started, was embarrassing. Steven didn't know when to say when in that film. It wasn't emotionally true, it was emotionally hollow.

I'll just go right out and say it

Schindler's List is Steven Spielberg's most overrated film, followed closely by his other smaltzy war film Saving Private Ryan, (though SL is a better film the SPR).

[Morlock 9]

It doesn't matter- he saved all those people. And again- for most people the movie was a perfect emotional ar, and the ending worked just as much as the rest of the movie.

I think E.T. is his most overrated movie, and I used to think the same about SPR- but like Black Hawk Down, I wasn't crazy about them the first 3 or 4 times, but now, that I've seen BHD 8 times and SPR at least twice that- They are both fantastic films. BHD is easily Ridley Scott's best film. Now Gladiator- there's an overrated movie.

[AC1 3,565]

I agree , that "ring and cry" scene was indeed a tad too emotional. But that doesn't diminish the greatness of all the other scenes Schindler's List is packed with. I wouldn't mind if Spielberg changed that into a more suppressed emotional facial expression from Liam Neeson as he said goodbye to the Jews. Again, less is more! I don't know why Spielberg felt Oskar needed to breakdown so melodramatically.

----------------

Alex Cremers

[Chris ChrusherComix 27]

It will be owned.

...and don't mind Morn... he's just repeating what some professor told him to think...

-Chris, Who always loves to take digs at the fair little lad...

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Someone needs to kidnap Spielberg's lazy ass in the middle of the night. Put him in a dark room where he is tired to a chair and his eye lids taped open and forced to watch a screening (like one of those wacky sci-fi films) of Schindler's List and deliver a friggin Director's Commentary for once.

The commentary track has become a DVD standard and not having one is bullshit.

For crying out loud! Even Lucas does a commentary.

[Guest]

But who's the one still making good movies?

[Rogue_Leader 2]

But who's the one still making good movies?

Lots of directors who make good movies also do commentaries wise guy.

Spielberg claims it hurts the experience.

Which is BS!

Someone care to explain for Steven how a commentary can hurt rather than enhance one's appreciation for a film? IMO a commentary can add alot of insightful comments about the making of the film and the inspiration behind it among other things.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

Well Spielberg feels - as I understand it - that a commentary eventually will turn to the director pointing out mistakes. ("Yeah, if you look in that mirror there in the far bottom left of the picture, you can see someone's hand.") Such a thing would mean that you would never be able to not see it anymore, and that the flaws in the picture will deminish the power of the film.

I don't agree with this, because over the course of a two hour film, there's more to tell than just point out flaws. Mayby if Spielly would actually DO one and see how it goes...

- Marc, who feels SL can go without audio commentary.

[Guest]

SL doesn't need a commentary. If you don't get it, you don't.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Hmmm...I actually agree with this.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Well Spielberg feels - as I understand it - that a commentary eventually will turn to the director pointing out mistakes. ("Yeah, if you look in that mirror there in the far bottom left of the picture, you can see someone's hand.") Such a thing would mean that you would never be able to not see it anymore, and that the flaws in the picture will deminish the power of the film.

Wrong Spielberg thinks that a film should be able to speak for itself, without it's director having to explain his thoughts and motivations for every scene.

It's a valid opinion, and I agree with it.

Stefancos- who does not listen to commentary tracks.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

Oh. I must have confused him with something Shyamalan said then.

IMO, a good documentary always often beats a commentary. Unfortunately, most DVD documentaries are just promotional stuff where everyone's kissing each other's butt. And sometimes, commentaries can just be a lot of fun to listen to, if whoever's doing it is enjoying giving the commentary.

But Schindler's List is a film that I think would actually lose some of its impact if it had a commentary, I think.

- Marc, who always listens to commentaries, except the producer's.

[AC1 3,565]

I share Spielberg's aversion for commentary tracks. All I really care for is the movie and the quality of its transfer (a new or restored print is always favorable). Of course, I don't mind if there's a docu featuring J. Williams. But I don't need any free bonuses that take away the magic of my most liked films.

----------------

Alex Cremers

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Indeed, i don't mind watching things like "Making Of " docu's, but that's something different like watching a film with somebody talking through it all the time.

If someone was doing that at the cinema we'd all be bashing him.

Stefancos- The Stewart Of Gondor, ROTK.

[Yoda Longbottom 0]

Schindler's List is my all time favorite movie. There is not a single thing about this movie I would change.Everything is spot on.

Same here. And I'm glad it finally found its way to DVD. I have a VHS copy that's selling here for about $40.00 (converted to dollars), and that wouldn't be too much for me hadn't the quality lose it self each time you "play" it. I was even considering buying a new, sealed VHS version and then ask someone to help me transfer it into computer for I could make an "svcd" of it or whatever the format that can be burned onto CD and played on DVD.

Now I don't have to.

Regardless of what others say, I love the movie to no end and the music (which you've heard me extol countless times) is even better and I don't have the words to describe how much I like it.

There's this little hope the DVD will be available in Czech Republic too...

Roman.-)

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Well Spielberg feels - as I understand it - that a commentary eventually will turn to the director pointing out mistakes. ("Yeah, if you look in that mirror there in the far bottom left of the picture, you can see someone's hand.") Such a thing would mean that you would never be able to not see it anymore, and that the flaws in the picture will deminish the power of the film.

I don't agree with this, because over the course of a two hour film, there's more to tell than just point out flaws. Mayby if Spielly would actually DO one and see how it goes...

- Marc, who feels SL can go without audio commentary.

Ummmm what? I have seen plenty of director's commentaries where the director doesn't point out the flaws. If the director actually has the time to waste bothering to mention the film's flaws then its usually because the movie sucked in the first place.

Another Spielberg excuse.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Another Spielberg excuse.

No, Marc probably misinterpreted Spielberg's reasons, good thing Melange is not here.

Stefancos- who does not need Spielberg to explain to him why certain scenes are so brilliant.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Stefancos- who does not need Spielberg to explain to him why certain scenes are so brilliant.  

Oh come on! You know just as well as I do Stefan that is NOT what commentaries are for. Its for the director to share his stories and experiences in making the film. If a director comments on a scene it is usually concerning the work that was involved or some funny happenings that may have occured shooting it or the difficulties involved with it.

That sort of thing. I have never seen a commentary where a director comments in scene after scene why each one is so brilliant. Any director who did that would have to be a friggin ego-maniac.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

I confused Spielberg with a quote from Shyamalan about pointing out errors. As I said, I don't share the same viewpoint. And I also don't think Schindler's List is a film where you would want someone telling funny stories.

- Marc

[Rogue_Leader 2]

I confused Spielberg with a quote from Shyamalan about pointing out errors. As I said, I don't share the same viewpoint. And I also don't think Schindler's List is a film where you would want someone telling funny stories.

- Marc

Well its not like the whole movie is one big somber tear-fest.

Surely there might be some opportunity for Spielberg to provide a few moments of levity in a commentary.

Or talk about something else.

Not to mention what Steven's excuse then for all the other commentaries he has not done?

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

Not to mention what Steven's excuse then for all the other commentaries he has not done?

Yes. While I consider SL to be a bit too heavy for a commentary, there are plenty of other films where a commentary would have been nice. JP, TLW, Indy, MR, etc.

- Marc

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Indy begs for a commentary!

OF course lazy Steve couldn't be bothered even for those films.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Is there really any need for you to be insulting Spielberg?

Remember Lucas is our common enemy here.

Stefancosd-

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Hey look I respect Spielberg as much as the next man, but even Lucas has the decency to give us a commentary.

Even if we didn't want one from him.

OK look I take it back. Steven is not lazy.

I just feel its inconsiderate to not think of the fans who want to hear him share his experiences on a film.

Hey look I think we can both agree here Stefan its a CREDIT to Steven that I and so many others would want to hear from him.

Why should he not indulge out wishes and give us a commentary. It would only take a few hours out of his life.

[Morlock 9]

Lucas' commentaries suck! And Not a single mention of JW in TPM and only 3 tiny ones in AoTC.

Although I don't feel that strongly- I would like a Spielberg commentary. But it should be a group commentary- there are very few solo commentary tracks that are really good.

I wish they'd do more Video commentaries- I loved the snippets they showd on the Dogma and Goonies DVDs, and also Jerry Maguire was great- the only all visual commentary I've seen (I only wish they hadn't done it at 4 A.M. after Cruise's birthday party.

Dick Donner does great commnetaries- his commentary on the Omen with Stuart Baird is priceless (although it did get ridicules how they kept on praising the movie and calling a landmark, the scariest movie...). The Usual Suspects also has a great commentary. Goonies' group commentary is a lot of fun.

One of my favorites is the one for Mummy Returns, where the director and editer talk for two how many mistakes they made, how ridicules some of the scenes were and howw inconsistant they were. For example(paraphrazing): "Where do these guys buy their clothes- 'Evil R Us'?" or "Yeah, it's always good to have a sword wrack in your living room, incase the minions of the mummy you killed come and attack you" or "Here's another climax- we've only had 14 for now, so we decided to put another one in" or "you see how there are five mummies here? wait, wait wait... now there are only four! you see, we ran out of money, so we just dropped one. No one seemed to notice." Anyway- it's hillarious.

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

That's hilarious.

The Ghostbusters commentary had the three guys (Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, and a producer) silhouetted against the image, which was kinda funny.

- Marc

[Yoda Longbottom 0]

 Although I don't feel that strongly- I would like a Spielberg commentary. But it should be a group commentary- there are very few solo commentary tracks that are really good.

Spielberg is allegedly planning lessons at P. Jackson's on "The Making of the Commentary, Part One: Bonus Hours of Chin-Wag".

[Morlock 9]

oookay- I don't get it.

[Lurker 5]

Spielberg's official line on the lack of commentaries is an interesting stance. He thinks that he spends so much time crafting the final soundtrack that to be able to watch just the visuals while hearing something totally different goes against everything he's worked towards in creating a movie. We may not agree with that position, but it clearly shows some thought. Rogue, it's really childish of you to say the man is lazy.

As for the lack of commentaries on the Indy films, that's fine with me. It leaves more space for a better picture.

Neil

[Rogue_Leader 2]

Spielberg's official line on the lack of commentaries is an interesting stance.  He thinks that he spends so much time crafting the final soundtrack that to be able to watch just the visuals while hearing something totally different goes against everything he's worked towards in creating a movie.  We may not agree with that position, but it clearly shows some thought.  

Neil

OH come on thats ridiculous! Another typical Spielberg excuse.

When you are listening to a commentary you are not "watching the movie" in the traditional sense. You are viewing the scenes and listening to the filmaker's experience in making the film.

He spent alot of time on the soundtrack? Well OK great! Thats what watching the movie in the normal fashion is for. That in no way explains why he cannot do a commantary.

OH and I don't care whether or not calling Speilberg is childish. Until I hear a legitimate excuse that cannot be quickly dismissed as the ones I have heard so far I am going to continue to blame his refusal to do one on either lazyness or a sense of self-importance in that he feels he doesn't need to do one because he is Speilberg.

I am not saying Speilberg is lazy or an egomaniac in general, but on this one I think most people would agree Spielberg is being unfair to the consumers he wants to purchase his DVDs.

[Yoda Longbottom 0]

oookay- I don't get it.

I respect Steven Spielberg and in that my remark about LOTR unending commentaries about everything and always impossibly in-depth exceeding playing time of the movie, I want that to never happen in case of Spielberg's commentaries.

The effort Peter Jackson has been putting into Lord of the Rings cycle suggests he could be willing to make any future re-makes of LOTR impossible and unnecessary to do, as he seems to want to leave no space for things to be improved upon suppose there's a remake to come in some 50 years from now. Considering how essential it is to have read the books to understand the story that unfolds from its big-screen adaptation, to me Jackson comes across as a straight-out prig.

Roman.-)