2181 Chestnut Cres
Saline, MI, 48176

September 20, 2014

Steven Spielberg

Universal City, CA, 91608

Dear Mr. Spielberg:

My name is George Lancaster, I am a huge fan of your work and am writing to you today about your film "Schindler's List." This film spoke to me on a deep level and I would like to thank you for this masterpiece you created. Many movies that are made can be considered "good," but there are few movies that are truly great films to be worthy of praise.

One reason this film is so wonderful is for its significance to American history. Many films have touched on the topic of the Holocaust, but few are able truly tell of the atrocities committed in that period of history. While the film may tell the tale of Oskar Schindler it never forgets to show the horrors of the Holocaust. I would also like to praise you for shooting the film in black and white. This style of shooting makes the film seem timeless, like it can not be buried by the sands of time. The story of  "Schindler's List" never shys away from the brutality committed by the Nazis and explains the Holocaust for what it was and in doing so makes it an important historical film worthy of preservation for all of time.

I would also like to praise you for the way this film develops Oskar Schindler. One reason the development of this character is so powerful is because the film portrays him at the beginning and end of the war. At the beginning Schindler was an opportunist willing to use Jewish slave labor in order to make a profit from their suffering, but throughout the film the viewer gets to witness Schindler's change of heart. At the conclusion of the film we see that Schindler is no longer concerned with the gain of wealth, but rather he wants to preserve human lives. To be able to push aside human greed in order to do something noble is truly a brave and wonderful thing. This development of Schindler is shown in a clear way that really makes the viewer understand the ideas going through Schindler's head making the film a beautiful thing to watch.

And finally I would like to praise you for your recurring use of music. John Williams is an amazing composer and I would like to thank you for using his talent to aid this film. The recurring use of the musical theme of this movie throughout its most emotional scenes is truly a beautiful thing. The solo violin played in this theme is truly able to capture the essence of the film through music. Also, while it is not a recurring song I would like to thank you for the use of the children's choir in the "Krakow Liquidation" scene, the use of children in this song really brought attention to the children who were murdered that day.

I can go on and on with praise for this magnificent film. Thank you so much for your time Mr. Spielberg and I wish you the best of luck as you continue your career.

Best Wishes,

George David Lancaster