Visual Arguments of the Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan movie trailers. By: Andrew Kaplan

Let me begin by saying that I have seen both of these films. The director for both of the films is of course Steven Spielberg, and to add to that, John Williams (The brilliant composer from works such as Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T., Hook, Jurassic Park, and much more) worked his genius into both of the films as well. I am a very big fan of both. Now. Onto the assignment.

Schindler's List is a very serious and adult film. To portray the film in a happy light is no easy task. That being said, the trailer for the film gives viewers a so-called "taste" of what the film is all about. The trailer begins with a sorrowful Jewish theme from John William's score, followed by what appears to be a mob of people (Jews) frantically trying to escape from where they are via train. You then see German Nazis infiltrating buildings, removing the people and throwing their personal belongings to the floor. To anyone of the Jewish faith or heritage, (myself being of the heritage) this visual argument strikes deep. Spielberg personally interviewed the survivors of this story, and the images on the screen are truthfully sound and convey a sense of sadness or loss. You then see the silhouette of Oscar Schindler (Liam Neeson) standing in front of a brightly lit window, providing a sort of imagery that he is the "light in the shadow." The visual argument that Schindler is a "hero" is considered controversial amongst historians and surviving victims. You then see many images of Nazis terrorizing the Jewish ghettos and images of Oscar Schindler. Towards the end of the trailer, images are shown to convey a sense of hope, which is an argument in itself due to the mood of the film.

In general, there are two major visual arguments with this trailer. One, why is the film in black and white when it was released in 1993? There is the motif of "the girl in the red dress" presented in the film to aid this reason for deep artistic value, but I shall not get into that. And the second argument is to those skeptics who claim the Holocaust never happened. Although I do not practice the Jewish religion, my friends would crack "Jew-jokes" all the time. After they saw the film themselves, the came over to me and apologized and said that they would never make fun of Jews again. The film itself is a visual argument, and a powerful one at that.

 In contrast, Saving Private Ryan is a film that took place around the same time period, but to anyone who saw the trailer, they would see that the images and scenes were in full colour. (Except to those who are colour-blind) The variation to the theme "Hymn to the Fallen" by John Williams, allows the listeners to be pulled into the crisis of WWII, allowing them to "feel" the feelings of a weeping mother over her lost sons and the struggle the soldiers felt at the Invasion of Normandy. Whereas Schindler's List is mostly non-fiction, Saving Private Ryan presents the "glory" of America with the very true cruelties of war. Both provide the visual argument that may be suggested to the viewer to ask the question, "What about Germany's side of the story?" Although my own grandfather (Who fought in WWII) would never watch this film, (He felt, to his death, that no war movie could ever portray the horror of what war really is) many WWII veterans who saw the movie were tearing up throughout the movie. This film was created entirely out of respect; however, the visual argument presented is one of value; for example, my classmates in High School only saw this film for the violence and special effects. 

One visual argument is whether the film is a deep emotional experience, or just an action flick. This trailer is one that appeals to the viewers' emotions entirely. While showing occasional violence, the images and scenes show a type story that could never be understood by those who were not there; hence, a deep emotional experience. In my opinion, the "Best Picture" images only hurt the trailer, but this visual argument is one for the Studio Executives. In other words, they use the factual evidence that this film was considered to be "Best Picture" material, and in-so-doing, that marketing strategy will boost the profits attained from the film. Also, including Tom Hanks in the cast couldn't hurt profits either. Tis an example of a visual argument on screen.

Spielberg was rich, successful, and well accomplished long before he directed these film. He was not in it for the money. From viewing both trailers, one can conclude which film was created to be a blockbuster and which film was not.