Henry's Top 100: The Holocaust Edition (Numbers 68 and 67)

Numbers 68 (Life is Beautiful) and 67 (Schindler's List)

Okay here's the thing...this wasn't planned. Honestly, when I was ranking my top 115 movies, these two met at this point. I considered rearranging things so that this didn't happen. It is...a little awkward...but here we are.

These are two very different movies about the same time and place (more or less).

Life is Beautiful is an incredibly sweet movie that uses the Holocaust as a backdrop. A lot of people had a problem with this. But, I found the story of a father's love and protection of his son, in the worst of circumstances, a wonderful tale. Anyone who can't imagine that a man could rise above the horrors around him, and find a way to make his son laugh, does not have nearly enough faith in humanity in my opinion. Roberto Benigni directed and starred in Life is Beautiful and does a fantastic job in both roles. Life is Beautiful is a must-see.

Schindler's List, obviously, is one of the greatest films ever made. Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and Ralph Fiennes are unbelievable. Spielberg put everything he had into this film, and he has a lot. It is, flat out, one of the best films of all time. But, I just can't watch it that often. Who can? Who comes home and goes, "The Mets have an off day today. I think I'll have some Chinese tonight. I'm gonna watch Schindler's List." It doesn't happen. It's too serious and upsetting. In tone, it is the opposite of Life is Beautiful.

These are two very different but spectacular films. One thing they share in common, other than the whole Holocaust thing, is that both are a great examinations of what man is capable of. Benigni saves his son, Schindler saves many, but each is a strong example of the best that man is capable of.

Best Scenes? Benigni in the classroom / the introduction of Schindler's character in the restaurant.