Visual Arguments in "World Trade Center" and "Schindler's List"

"World Trade Center" and "Schindler's List" are both films that document defining events in the world's history. These two trailers do the same thing, evoke emotion in the audience, but go about so in different ways.

"World Trade Center" opens with a peaceful scene of New York City the morning of September 11, 2001. The trailer then introduces two different characters sleeping happily with their significant other, waking up, and going to their job as police officers. The serenity of the city is quickly disrupted as the shadow of a plane is shown flying into the first tower of the World Trade Center. The two police officers are then trapped in the collapsed tower during an heroic attempt to evacuate the building. This movie evokes an emotion like nothing else quite can, most people can tell you where they were and exactly what they were doing on this tragic day. I personally got chills just watching the trailer. As Nikos said,"the fact that the movie is based on such a memorable true event [gives] it strong appeal to viewers' emotions." Although cliche, this movie is definitely one that hits close to home and appeals to Americans everywhere.

The "Schindler's List" trailer differs from many of its time for two reasons: it is black and white, and for the most part, has no dialogue. Doing so was no accident, Steven Spielberg chose to not use many modern film technology resources in order to create a more "real" depiction of the story. As one watches the preview, it is easy to forget that the movie is not real. Also, by creating the movie in black and white Spielberg was really able to use the "emotional power of color" by placing a girl with a red dress in the movie. The trailer definitely depicts Schindler in a positive and heroic light which as Andrew pointed out, "is considered controversial amongst historians and surviving victims." The reason being for this is that Schindler originally was using Jews as almost slaves, employing them in factories, paying them almost nothing, and bribing Nazis to stay in business. It was not until later when he saw how atrociously they were treated that he had a change of heart. The trailer ends with a scene of a candle being lit, which I saw as a symbol for hope.

Susan Sontag states in her article "The Decay of Cinema" that she feels that aside from a few exceptions, movies are now strictly to become blockbusters and to produce cash. I feel that both of theses movies are exceptions. These movies were made to tell stories, stories of events that effected the whole world. Movies that appeal to the emotions of millions. Movies of such events needed to be made in order to ensure that we never forget the sacrifices people have made for the good of mankind.