‘Greatest film ever made’ showing reality of World War Two streaming | Films | Entertainment

One of the greatest movies ever made, showcasing the brutal reality of life during World War Two, is now available to stream for free in the UK.

With a runtime spilling over three hours, Schindler’s List is regarded as Steven Spielberg’s crowning masterpiece and detailsthe true story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist, played by Liam Neeson, who saved more than a thousand mostly Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany during the Holocaust.

Schindler, a member of Hitler’s Nazi party himself, used his factories in occupied Poland to employ Jewish workers, ultimately saving around 1,200 people.

“Spielberg employs all the emotive Hollywood tools at his disposal, and the result is a remarkable film with wide appeal and real importance,” film critic Wendy Ide wrote for The Times during a 2024 revist, adding that “[Liam] Neeson is phenomenal, but matched by towering performances from Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes.”

Now, UK audiences can enjoy this masterpiece free of charge as it streams on BBC iPlayer, free to anyone with a valid TV Licence.

But the site states the film is only available for viewing until Sunday, so be sure to get around to catching this ‘must-watch’ movie before then.

Online film review site Rotten Tomatoes ranks Schindler’s List as the sixth best movie of all time, giving it a 98% audience approval rating on its Tomatometer system.

Originally released in 1993, the movie received widespread critical acclaim and public praise, winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and earning Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes nominations for Best Actor and Best Actor in a Supporting Role, respectively.

Fiennes, who has also portrayed Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise and M in James Bond, takes on perhaps his most sadistic role as the Nazi SS officer, Amon Göth, commandant of the Płaszów concentration camp.

Fiennes’s chillingly realistic performance earned him a slew of award wins and nominations, alongside the Academy Award’s Best Supporting Actor nod. His portrayal was so convincing that when a Holocaust survivor met him on set while he was in character, she trembled with fear.

“To be honest, I think this is the most important movie ever made. An absolute masterpiece,” Rotten Tomatoes user Liam B wrote in a five-star review for the movie, which has a three-hour-15-minute runtime.

Another user added: “Where do you start? The score?The writing?The acting?The direction? Everything is 100% on point.

“Fiennes’ performance shames unworthy Oscar winners before and since-incredible. Neeson gives the performance of his life. Spielberg delivers arguably his greatest film.

“And it’s black and white apart from the little girl in that red dress. The ghetto liquidation is one of the most harrowing scenes in mainstream cinema history. Always as relevant as it is brilliant.”