In the early eighties of the twentieth century, the Australian writer Thomas Kennily wrote the novel Schindler’s Ark. The story of Leopold Pfefferberg inspired the author to create this work. Kennily was awarded the prestigious literary prize for this book. Ten years after the writing of the novel, the famous director Steven Spielberg made the film Schindler's List. The actors who played in this film, after the premiere of the film became famous.
History of creation
Spielberg did not immediately agree to the shooting of this picture. However, he became interested in Kenny’s work, and the largest American film studio acquired the rights to film adaptation. This happened in 1983. Only ten years later, the shooting of the painting “Schindler's List” began. The actors who played the main roles in the film were not widely known to the audience in the early nineties. The director intentionally refused to invite world stars.
the main role
The plot of the film tells the story of a German businessman, for whom getting profit is the meaning of existence. Schindler in one of the first episodes declares to his wife that war is the best time to increase profits. This man is charming, agile and incredibly adventurous. As a result of fraud, he becomes the owner of a factory in which Jews work. Their work is inexpensive. Workers of Polish descent would have been much more expensive for a businessman. But Schindler’s views are changing. When he finds out about the mass extermination of Jews, he commits an act reckless from a commercial point of view. Schindler makes a list of workers in his factory. Each name in it costs Oscar financial costs. But to save even one life means to save the whole world.
For the main role in the film "Schindler's List", the actors tried quite famous. Among them was even Mel Gibson. However, Spielberg gave preference to an unfamiliar artist. Liam Neeson is an actor of Irish descent. For the role in the film, which is discussed in this article, in 1994 he was nominated for an Academy Award. By the time of the creation of the legendary picture in the filmography of the actor, there were about seventy works. But it was precisely the role of Schindler that brought him fame.
Yitzhak Stern
The role of manager required an actor with a Jewish appearance and a wise penetrating gaze. Yitzhak Stern is a key character in the plot of the movie Schindler’s List.
The actors who played in the famous Spielberg film are today associated with the characters in this film. The image that Neeson created on the screen is forever connected with the composition written by John Williams. Ben Kingsley, who played the role of Stern, has several dozen works in the filmography. However, it was the image of the humble and wise assistant Schindler, a kind of mediator between the German merchant and the Jewish population of Poland, that became the most striking in his acting career. Spectators around the world will forever remember him in the role of Yitzhak Stern.
Amon Geth
Many celebrities passed the role of SS officer. Among them is Tim Roth. However, the director approved the role of an SS man with sadistic inclinations Ralph Fiennes. This actor brilliantly managed to create on the screen the image of a nervous cruel madman. Fiennes played an exalted and merciless hero, blinded by power and permissiveness. For Goethe, living people became experimental rabbits; he shot them in dozens exclusively out of curiosity and “emotional satisfaction”. For the role of an SS officer, the actor was nominated for an Oscar.
The film was also attended by Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Segal, Mark Ivanir.
Interesting Facts
After the release of the film on the screen, Spielberg refused the fee. This event has become almost unique in the cinema world. The director sent the proceeds to the foundation of a charity fund.
It is noteworthy that at the time when Spielberg doubted whether he should make a film about the Holocaust, he suggested that his colleague, Roman Polanski, begin to film the Kennily book. But he refused. And later, ten years later, he created the cinema masterpiece “The Pianist” on this subject.