10 Unknown Facts About Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List
Schindler’s List, Steven Spielberg’s most successful and well-received film, has a wealth of well-documented narrative that reveals the extraordinary circumstances behind its production. These hidden narratives reveal the remarkable challenges, coincidences, and personal sacrifices that shaped this outstanding work।
Here are top 10 facts about steven spielberg's Schindler's list that no one knows
1. Spielberg's covert lifeline during production was Robin Williams. Here are top 10 facts about steven spielberg's Schindler's list that no one knows
Steven Spielberg found unexpected comfort in Robin Williams’ weekly phone conversations while filming some highly challenging scenes in Poland. Every week, Williams, who had collaborated with Spielberg on “Hook” Movie, made a plan to talk to the director and do a 15-minute stand-up performance. “I would laugh hysterically, because I had to release so much,” Spielberg said. Williams made it his personal goal to keep Spielberg’s spirits up during the demanding production since he recognized the psychological toll the movie was taking.
2. The Film Was Made Simultaneously with Jurassic Park
3. George Lucas Secretly Saved the Production
George Lucas intervened with a covert solution after Universal bosses objected to Spielberg doing both movies at the same time. “I said, ‘George, I’m in trouble,” Spielberg remembered. The studio is furious with me for not mixing Jurassic Park before traveling to Europe and making the Schindler’s List. Is it possible to combine Jurassic Park? Lucas consented to work with Kathy Kennedy on Jurassic Park’s post-production, freeing Spielberg from studio interference to concentrate solely on Schindler’s List.
4. John Williams Initially Refused to Compose the Score
The film’s rough cut left famed composer John Williams so overcome with emotion that he had to take a few minutes to walk around Spielberg’s room to regain his composure. Spielberg was subsequently informed by Williams that “I truly believe you need a better composer than I am for this film.” “I know, but they’re all dead” was Spielberg’s famous reply. Williams was persuaded by this conversation to write one of his most eerie and impactful compositions.
5. Ralph Fiennes Terrified a Real Holocaust Survivor on Set
During filming, Holocaust survivor Mila Pfefferberg visited the set to meet the cast. When she was introduced to Ralph Fiennes, who portrayed the brutal commandant Amon Göth, she began shaking uncontrollably. Fiennes so perfectly embodied the evil sexuality and menace of the real Göth that Pfefferberg was transported back to her traumatic memories. Fiennes had gained 28 pounds for the role, primarily by drinking Guinness, to match Göth’s physical appearance.
6. The Girl in Red Coat Broke Her Promise to Spielberg
Spielberg forced three-year-old Oliwia Dąbrowska, who portrayed the famous girl in the red coat, to swear she wouldn’t see the movie until she was eighteen. But at the age of eleven, she betrayed her pledge and was “horrified” by what she witnessed. She was originally embarrassed by her involvement in the movie, but she eventually realized and valued the importance of her contribution.
7. Auschwitz Filming Was Conducted Under Strict Restrictions
Spielberg was not permitted to shoot inside the Auschwitz concentration camp, unlike what many people think. Filming was only allowed outside the Birkenau camp’s gatehouse by the Polish authorities. Spielberg overcame this restriction by ingeniously utilizing the outside shots to build a meticulous recreation of the Płaszów concentration camp in a nearby quarry, replete with 34 dormitories, seven watchtowers, and even roadways lined with Jewish tombstones.
8. The Epilogue Scene Was Conceived Halfway Through Filming
The initial screenplay did not have the dramatic conclusion in which actual Holocaust survivors visited Schindler’s tomb in Jerusalem. Spielberg had to rush to find the remaining Schindlerjuden and fly them to Israel for filming after coming up with this concept midway through the production. Following his designation as “Righteous Among the Nations” by Yad Vashem, Schindler was buried on Mount Zion, where 128 survivors are shown in the scene paying their respects.
9. Spielberg Hosted a Passover Seder That United Enemies and Allies
Spielberg hosted a Passover Seder at the hotel where the actors and crew were staying while filming in Kraków. German and Austrian actors who had been playing Nazis for the day met with Israeli actors at the same table, having the customary Jewish dinner, creating a bizarre and poignant moment. During the film’s examination of humanity’s darkest period, this incident came to represent harmony and healing.
10. Spielberg Did Not Place the Roses in the Final Hand
A final hand places two flowers on Schindler’s headstone above the customary stones in the cemetery epilogue. Audiences thought this was Spielberg’s hand for decades, but it was Liam Neeson’s. This small gesture of respect shown by Neeson, who played Schindler throughout the movie, to the man whose tale he brought to life gives the scene an additional level of importance.