Schindler’s List (1993), directed by Steven Spielberg, is a harrowing and powerful portrayal of the Holocaust, following the real-life story of Oskar Schindler — a German industrialist who saved the lives of over a thousand Jews during World War II. The film is a haunting masterpiece of cinema, known for its stark black-and-white visuals and emotional depth.
How well do you remember this unforgettable journey of humanity and sacrifice? Take our 10-question trivia quiz and test your knowledge of one of the most significant films of all time. This challenge is for those who truly understand the weight of history and the power of a single act of courage.
Schindler’s List Trivia Questions & Answers
Here are the correct answers to each question, along with in-depth explanations about Schindler’s List (1993) — a film that remains one of the most powerful depictions of human decency amidst atrocity:
1) Who directed the film Schindler’s List (1993)?
Correct Answer: Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg directed Schindler’s List with a restrained and reverent tone, creating one of the most emotionally devastating and historically important films in cinematic history. It earned him his first Academy Award for Best Director and is widely regarded as his most serious and personal work.
2) Who plays the role of Oskar Schindler in the film?
Correct Answer: Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson portrayed Oskar Schindler with quiet charisma and emotional complexity. His transformation from opportunistic businessman to compassionate savior anchors the film. Neeson’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination and elevated his status as a leading actor.
3) What is Oskar Schindler’s profession at the beginning of the film?
Correct Answer: Industrialist and businessman
Schindler arrives in Kraków as a German businessman seeking profit from wartime manufacturing. Using charm and Nazi connections, he establishes a factory producing enamelware, initially hiring Jews for cheap labor — a decision that slowly evolves into a mission of conscience.
4) What is the main purpose of Schindler’s factory during the war?
Correct Answer: To manufacture enamelware
The factory originally produces enamel goods for the German military. Though later converted to a munitions plant, Schindler ensures the factory never produces a single usable shell — a subtle act of resistance that allows him to protect his workers under the guise of war production.
5) Who is Schindler’s Jewish accountant and right-hand man?
Correct Answer: Itzhak Stern
Played by Ben Kingsley, Itzhak Stern serves as Schindler’s moral compass and organizational backbone. It is Stern who manages the workers and helps Schindler see the human cost of the Holocaust, eventually becoming instrumental in compiling “Schindler’s List.”
6) What does the girl in the red coat symbolize in the film?
Correct Answer: The innocence lost during the Holocaust
The girl in the red coat is one of the only colored elements in the black-and-white film. Schindler sees her wandering through the chaos during the liquidation of the ghetto. Later, he sees her body among the dead — a visual metaphor for lost innocence that sparks his moral awakening.
7) Who is the ruthless Nazi officer in charge of the Plaszów labor camp?
Correct Answer: Amon Goeth
Ralph Fiennes plays Amon Goeth, a brutal SS officer who embodies the worst of the Nazi regime. Goeth’s arbitrary violence, especially his sniping of prisoners from his balcony, is portrayed with chilling realism. His monstrous nature provides a stark contrast to Schindler’s growing humanity.
8) How does Schindler protect many Jews from being sent to death camps?
Correct Answer: By employing them in his factory
Schindler uses his fortune to bribe Nazi officials and argue that his Jewish workers are essential to the war effort. By creating a list of over 1,100 names — the “Schindlerjuden” — he prevents their deportation to Auschwitz and saves their lives through bureaucratic cunning.
9) What item does Schindler receive as a thank-you from the workers at the end of the film?
Correct Answer: A gold ring
The workers melt down a gold dental filling to create a ring engraved with a Talmudic phrase. The gift symbolizes their deep gratitude and immortalizes Schindler’s selfless actions. It’s a poignant moment that underscores the emotional cost of heroism and the legacy of one man’s courage.
10) What inscription is engraved inside the ring given to Schindler?
Correct Answer: “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire”
This quote from the Talmud encapsulates the moral core of the film. Schindler, who initially sought profit, ends up saving more than a thousand people. The phrase serves as a powerful reminder of how individual actions can have world-changing consequences — a message that still resonates today.
