Sir Ben Kingsley talks about playing Itzhak Stern in Schindler's List

Sir Ben Kingsley spoke at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
on March 1, 2011, for a special program devoted to the power of film and the Holocaust. In his conversation with NPR host Scott Simon, he discussed the opportunity to play Itzhak Stern in Schindler's List and working with Steven Spielberg.
"The Power of Film and the Holocaust, An Evening with Sir Ben Kingsley"
was a special event organized by the Washington Next Generation Board
and made possible in part by The A.G. Newmyer III Foundation.
Learn more about the Holocaust Museum's Next Generation Initiatives:
www.ushmm.org/support/nextgen/.
To learn more about the Holocaust at, see: www.ushmm.org.

[@lisameier1215]

Itzhak Stern. A name that will live forever. Sir Ben Kingsley really brought him to life the mannerisms were incredibly consistent as was the look in his eyes. When he hurt and thought it was all over "I think I better have that drink now" , it pulled you into that very moment in the life of Itzhak. Pain and hopelessness radiated from him. I just am at a loss for words for the emotions I felt for this intelligent, stoic man. It's hard to think our world lost so many like him.

[@karihiltner7407]

That scene in the movie got me crying. When a tear ran down his cheek I started crying. Sir Ben Kingsley is an incredible actor! I just love him! ❤️

[@brucekilby9957]

His performance was Superb. Your so right his Stern is so perfect with his Mannerisms,Looks and his sad Resignation that all is lost. But he a very tough character,his accidental trip on a death train and return showed he was a just as terrified of the Madness as every other poor Innocent victim of that Insanity. Ben Kinsley deserved a Oscar,but they had all been won. A fine actor for so long.

[@giovannischulze1253]

I hope u realize, that the depiction of Ithzak Stern is a fusion of at least three different individuals working for Schindler. Dont be the classic ignorant american, not doing research and the spouting off in the comment section.

[@stephenriddle7930]

When he wanted that drink after resisting for so long it just seemed all is lost I could not stop crying

[@wesleysmith5275]

He was chosen as a leader and savior of his people although unwillingly, truly a great man.

[@snakey934Snakeybakey]

Itzhak Stern passed away before Schindler. It's said that Oscar Schindler was inconsolable at Stern's funeral. They weren't just business partners, they were brothers

[@lekebbles1392]

this man is one of the few actors the room goes silent when he speaks

[@thehitchrules]

Incredible film . One of the greatest films ever made.

[@thehitchrules]

Agree, it is truly a great film.

[@shalevedna]

You would think the West would learn something at least from the movie. But here we are 20-25 years after and antisemitism is raising its ugly Hess again and the Holocaust is being denied As a 2G, I wi set what the people who made the movie think now?????

[@malvolio01]

@@shalevedna It’s mostly in the Muslim world that it’s denied, not the West.

[@aBoughtLemon]

Spielberg has made a lot of great films - but I think Schindler's List is his best.

[@southerncalifornia42]

100%

[@alma6911]

a superbly gifted actor! He really lives the parts of his characters.

[@stickiedmin6508]

It's surreal beyond words that Sir Ben *_ALSO_* played Eichmann fairly recently.

[@speedracer2008]

Ben Kingsley has such a range. He can alternate between playing loud, brash, and intimidating characters like Don Logan in Sexy Beast and meek, wise characters, like Gandhi and Itzhak Stern.

[@lifepsycho123]

He was so convincing I thought Itzhak Stern was playin Ben Kingsley in the film

[@oldcreekroadpictures]

Sometimes the best acting is without any words. I feel that Sir Ben Kingsley portrayed Itzhak Stern as a reticent of a horrid time but gentleness of aspiration. Cheers to you Sir Ben Kingsley.

[@lysjanvier]

i thought he deserved an oscar nomination

[@Anna7Anna]

So moving to hear Sir Kingsley affirm "witness" and "conscience" as relevant to his theatrical choices. Not surprising that his performances in Schindler's List and as Otto Frank in Anne Frank are profoundly moving and cut to the heart of the characters. Here is a man who recognizes the undeniable truth in the characters' hearts and acts accordingly. It is a gift he has been given and we are grateful it is gift he has shared with us.

[@sandal_thong8631]

I prefer "witness" over "conscience" not because Spielberg said it, but because there was a scene where Ben Kingsley's character said something like, "What's the difference whether this plant makes munitions or not?" And Schindler says, "Because less will be made," undermining the war effort in a small way. In General Bradley's book there were a few logistical shortages like ammunition and fuel in liberating France and heading to the border. One was because some people running plants back in the states thought the war would be over by Christmas, so what's the point of manufacturing arms they won't be able to sell?

[@sephardim4yeshua155]

I remember having such a shock when I was reading the names of those who were murdered in the Holocaust and there were three men with my exact name. First, mid and last name. That hit me so hard. My grandfather fought in WWII, in the US Navy and it is an honor that he was my grandfather. He joined the US Marines after the war and then he was sent to war in Korea and then retired after 30 years in the Corp. He was a hero and a Jew who got to fight against those who murdered Jews in WWII.

[@SgtPHT]

One of my favorite characters from the film. He was outstanding.

[@atyourserviceable]

Evil flourishes when good men do nothing .This film is as close to reality as it can possibly be.The fear and the terror that those innocent souls endured is just staggering to the mind.For a race of people to hate another to that extent,is simply mind boggling.Of all the movies that I have seen in my life no other has touched my very essence as Schindlers List.All the actors were just superbe and unbelievably realistic ,Ide say bordering on posessed by the very souls that perished .Their memory and sacrifce should never be forgotten ,and lessons should be learned to never let this ever happen again ot any race of people for the sake of Hate.

[@tdamtoft]

As close to reality as it can be? Clearly you never watched the footage from 1945. Yes, brilliant movie, 'nuff said.

[@Freiya2011]

@@tdamtoft Sadly I must agree. Great movie, being watched in the soft, warm security of a comfortable seat with a full belly, wearing warm clothes....

[@joshgellis3292]

Nicely articulated. Anyone who disagrees with "Evil flourishes when good men do nothing." Should get a psychological evaluation.

[@annalisavajda252]

That's not really accurate if you know many of the Germans did not hate the Jews they just would also be murdered if they tried to help them too. Certainly many Nazis enjoyed their work though but stories like Valkyrie or Rommel and indeed Schindler show some did not agree with the fuer but their lives were also endangered for that.

[@johnmoyle4195]

Ben Kingsley doing what he does best: telling an attentive audience what a brilliant actor he is without interruptions.

[@stevendiaz619]

My heart weeps when I see this movie. To go through that kind of thing for years and years everyday of every second I could never imagine.

[@myamdane6895]

never again ☮️

[@robertandhollyscorpiofan2697]

In the summer of 1994, i was sharing a noon meal with a female acquaintance. A short, older gentleman walked by our table, she stopped him for a chat. After about a minute, he crossed his arms at his waist, left over right. After seeing my eyes widen, without a break in the conversation, he angled his body so that i could get a better look at the tattoo on his outer left forearm (I’m sure he was surprised a 20something like me knew what the tattoo meant, but he covered it well). As i touched it, i said, “which camp?” He, ‘Auschwitz.” Me, “how many in your family were murdered?” He, “74.” He didn’t want to accept my condolences, but the acquaintance knew me well enough to say, “she means it.” I had read the Diary of Anne Frank at roughly the same age she was when she wrote it, and had seen “Schindler’s List” the previous year (and was the youngest in the sparse audience by at least 20 years).

[@madaraenina1245]

The best performance of 2 incradible actors Sir Ben Kingsley and Liam Neeson❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@fabiobonetta5454]

Sir Kingsley's Itzhak Stern is the single greatest acting performance I've ever witnessed on film. I dare you to find a better one. I couldn't

[@exex9378]

Ralph Finnes playing Amon Goeth

[@KimFsharpHarp]

Yes both were profound actors.

[@sammyhill69]

Amen to that. What an extraordinary actor he is. Kingsley's portrayal of Gandhi is just something that is also unforgettably genius.

[@haveanicegreenday]

this is the only movie that the first time i watched hit me hard and deep , i don't think my heart can take me watching it again ,everything was perfectly made , the cast was perfectly choosen , the music - i have no words to describe, and this all put together made such a memorable movie . by the way my mom used " lullaby for angel" as a lullaby as i was baby , and i never maneged to fall asleep at the melody , it felt so achingly sad and beautiful at the same time , like you go through some suffering and pain ,and i didn't know where the melody comes from , and as i watched the movie and heard the melodie , i understood why i couldn't fall asleep on it

[@bloodlustshiva1]

Not sure if you will ever see this, seeing as how you posted your message five years ago, but I felt the need to add my own memories along with it. Back in the mid to late 90's when I was still in high school, I had a teacher who's last name was Goethe. This didn't mean anything to me initially, since I knew little of WWII at the time. At some point later in the term however, he brings in this film. The initial mood in the room after he speaks about how important such a film is not what you'd call solemn, considering all the cocky teenagers present, myself included. Twenty minutes in, the room is completely silent, save the film. Half way into the film and there has been heard the sounds of quiet sobbing. I myself was already used to losing loved ones, and was a little prepared to deal with such scenes, as horrible as they were. But then I chanced to look upon my teacher as he broke down in tears at the cruelty inflicted upon those people by a person he shared a name and blood with, and I too began to cry. Because in seeing the pain and sadness in this person took it from being a series of recorded events, and made it reality for me. I never intend to watch this film again. I will never need to, for I will never forget.

[@kathleenmckenzie6261]

Ben Kingsley is a marvelous actor. I watched him in Schindler's List and more recently in Operation Finale in which he played Adolf Eichmann. Amazing that he could portray two diametrically opposed roles so convincingly.

[@robbie_]

To see his range, you should watch Sexy Beast (movie) too.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

In college, I portrayed a character in a theatrical production where the primary antagonist was Adolf Eichmann. During one performance, some survivors of the Holocaust were in the audience. There was a monologue I had to deliver which was *TO* the audience. That was an extremely heavy, emotionally vibrant night. I can hardly explain it. I felt as though I was in a version of "Schindler's List", and the only thing that bothered me was that most of the cast was too young to understand how serious the storytelling was and needed to be. I published the first two books of my own series of six over 2021 & 2022. War is a critical part of the storytelling, and I take it VERY seriously. 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨

[@pierrenothbaar9116]

I'v put down a Ston on the grave of this great Man in Israel Hope that no one will forget him.

[@bigdavejames8763]

A moment in our history that will never be forgotton..always respected..incredible movie.

[@TheFinnola]

The author of the book Schindler’s List was based on, I feel does not get enough recognition for his original passionate construction. Thomas Keneally composed dialogue and sub-texts from the inspired moral belief of his own. He went through a faith journey by studying to become a Catholic priest but left the seminary. He wrote wonderful stories about crisis and dilemma of the human spirit. Spielberg thankfully recognised the specific angle and “knew” the story. Because without the way the book was written. it could have become a horrible glossed Hollywood token film. Great reaction thank you.

[@brucekilby9957]

Ben Kingsley Performance as Izthak Stern is Superb and the character of Stern holds the whole film together,Amongst the Madness, Greed,Cruelty and Insanity he walks and does his Loyal work for Shindler. A truly remarkable Movie. A great Director and Cast.

[@LivB4uDie]

I love this actor. Ben Kingsley is a legend.

[@STFU255]

Was 12 in 1997 and my Grandmother took me around Washington DC.. Got to tour the White House, Supreme Court, Congress, Cap Building, Vietnam Memorial and the Holocaust Museum.... Will NEVER forget two things. The amount of names of the Vietnam memorial and the SHOES of Jewish people stacked, the dentist table with can under to catch the blood... The wooden racks.... Stays with you.

[@user-ls1lu7gu4u]

Liam Neeson was brilliant but I think Ben Kingsley was the heart and soul to this movie.

[@gemmag.2988]

All 3 actors imo:. Kingsley, Neeson and Fiennes. Superb in their roles.

[@cherylhulting1301]

Yes. Stern is in fact the hero of the movie.

[@cun7us]

Can't disagree with that. The acting by all the cast was superb, even the supporting cast and extras.

[@20tejas]

His incredible performance as gandhi was also just awesome

[@ronaldcollins7839]

What a great Actor and human being Sir Ben Kingsley

[@decard01]

Great actor awful person

[@angelofontanesi7069]

"Whilst playing chess..." Incredible to imagine that Sir Ben Kingsley starred in two movies that year: Schindler's List and Searching For Bobby Fischer, probably my favorite film of all time. While most people think it's about chess (and it is in a sort of tangential way) it's really about fathers and sons.

[@margotmaines7427]

Very, VERY special .. thank you all from a grateful heart ♥

[@tommy2x4]

Sir Ben Kingsley...just an amazing actor.

[@janmarsh5643]

I watched this film while living in Golders Green in London. I spent quite a lot of time watching the film through my fingers over my face. I am glad I saw it but I couldn’t watch it again. The audience was silent during the film. People did not leave at the end but stayed for awhile before they started to file out. It was breath takingly poignant.

[@gemmag.2988]

Wow. xx

[@cesario21]

I remember this well as I worked at the ABC cinema in Golders Green when we screened it around 1998/1999 I think. An incredibly moving experience.

[@SCharlesDennicon]

Kingsley is one hell of a storyteller.

[@jackfitzpatrick8173]

IMO Schindler's List is the most important film ever made primarily in English. For me,Liam Neeson will always be Schindler,Ben Kingsley will always be Stern and Ralph Finnes will always be Goethe.

[@patrickfrei9322]

I agree it's one of the best and most important films! But I think you meant to say Göth (or alternatively spelled: Goeth if you don't have the ö). Goethe was a famous poet, among other things

[@jackfitzpatrick8173]

@@patrickfrei9322 German has never been my strong suit.

[@patrickfrei9322]

@@jackfitzpatrick8173 haha no worries :D

[@suzanneprock7286]

Ben Kingsley was remarkable in that role!

[@speedracer2008]

Ben Kingsley has a great voice that gets you listening.

[@paulustarsus]

If Ben Kingsley was playing Cinderella, he'd still be brilliance personified. 👊

[@1nalh]

this guy is a legend. played frank, stern and gandhi

[@honesty5964]

This movie opened the eyes of the holocaust to all levels of understanding in a purely genius way. There were moments of light humor to take the edge off, but it knew when the subject matter was too serious to be taken lightly... the liquidation of the ghetto. It is wonderful to know that a man can want more than $ on his journey.

[@melaniestubbs5955]

A Masterpiece, Just incredible...In one of our worst times in living History , Love and Understanding shine though in this Exceptional man and in Stevens interpretation of this era "though his Beautiful work" In a flim that lets us to NEVER NEVER FORGET... how it really happen...True, heartbreaking and so meaningless. GOD BLESS them all🙏. THANKS for THE PICTURE STEVEN. Though your eyes THE WORLD WILL REMEMBER "NEVER TO FORGET"...THANK GOD for that. R.I.P.

[@hanscombe72]

One thing I will always feel was such a shame about Schindler's List was there was never an official documentary made of the shooting of the film. All of the DVD extras were about the Shoah Visual History foundation but there was never a technical documentary. i always think that was a bit sad because I want to understand the choices made in that film.

[@Vegetarianj16]

There is one on HBO and you can find it on KZbin

[@cyndianderson7056]

There was an interview with Spielberg that was pretty informative. Of what they did and why. I know it's not visual but you can picture it in your head what he's saying. It was a fascinating interview.

[@ryahelta7835]

May there be peace in Jerusalem.

[@KimFsharpHarp]

The greatest film of all time. We do not know what will be asked of us in life. We must be prepared to choose the right side of life.

[@ULTIMATE_FREEDOM_FIGHTER]

So true. Unfortunately though, most people are often too ignorant to know what the right side actually is, on certain subjects... Ignorance is the ultimate tragedy of humanity, as it leads to all kinds of completely unnecessary and avoidable problems for people. Sigh...

[@spirokolioulis3404]

It's not even top 10

[@coffeeandbytes9854]

@@spirokolioulis3404 Is that so? I'd love to know what your top ten are.

[@1czechit1]

Ben Kingsley is a wonderful actor. And the movies he has played in are truly magnificent.

[@rbfnrbfn8777]

This movie will always have a special place in my heart❤

[@ray7419]

An extraordinary actor for an extraordinary film. By far, one the best films ever made. It should be shown in classrooms everywhere. We must never forget.

[@user-cp8xi3ej2m]

It's such a great film i cry. Each time, i watch it having been to Krakow. It should be shown to all kids over 13 in schools everywhere

[@TomGuideKrakowPoland]

big thanks from Tom

[@ibizamaria]

I love Sir Ben Kingsley also Liam Neeson❤

[@phoebevanderhorst7760]

RIP Meitek Pemper. He was part of composing the list and he wasn't in the movie but for a second. Marcel Goldman, who was portrayed as a greedy ghetto policeman and later as a kapo, was the third person to add names Schindler paid for everybody but he was in jail for kissing a Jewish woman at his birthday party when the list was composed.

[@leehargreaves7473]

The scene, "I could have saved more", near the end, with Kingsley and Neeson, is getting tougher and tougher for me to watch. There's only so many times I want to feel that much sorrow.

[@soniabooquareyes9192]

One of my favorite movies of all time.

[@Braglemaster123]

Amazing

[@madaraenina1245]

A pure Master piece❤

[@adrievandijk]

At the end of the film I hoped to see the real Ithzak Stern, when the actors with the people they have played, the real people, layed a pebble on Schindlers grave. But I only saw his wife, and Sir Kingsley, so I knew that he wasn't alive anymore.

[@angelinasamson6996]

That’s beautiful and no such thing has a coincidence

[@rr7firefly]

Every time I have watched "Schindler's List" I am always tuned in to Sir Ben's character Itzhak Stern. The movie was a far better film with him contributing his dramatic genius to it. I have enormous admiration for him and his work.

[@holocaustmuseum]

@MissKilman Yes, that makes more sense. Thank you for the correction.

[@ajg2558]

a brilliant actor

[@wilmascholte7607]

I've seen Ben Kingsley do so many accents and mannerisms that seeing him being himself, it's like he's not Ben Kingsley at all.

[@andrewblack293]

This man nailed it!!!!

[@stephenvillafana9560]

When the movie came out I went to see it, l took my teenage daughter the next day, l told her not to focus on the nudity but to pay attention on the suffering of a people and on humanity, when people who holds people power choose to do evil even God share a tear 😢 wonderfully made

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent 👍👍👍👌👌👌

[@easyeagle3730]

This is a powerful film that should never be remade.

[@rahuldalal8]

Omg...that accountant is sir ben kingsley....not got him thruout the movie..respect🙏🙏

[@daniconaghan332]

What nice spoken man

[@mercian7]

Loved him in Dave.

[@wagnerpd5921]

U.S.H.M.... wish you'd te-submit your KZbin, other postings but Boost or Push the audio input, please. Thank you for the work that you do.

[@selliott1504]

Wonderful movie..

[@the_grand_tourer]

Ghandi, Itzahk Stern ... and Don Logan ... there is no other like him !

[@harmony2636]

Schindler.s list is a true masterpiece in all senses ..

[@ahndeux]

I just finished watching the film again 15 minutes ago. It still brings a tear to my eyes. The only other movie that was just as touching was Shoah. The most insane part is the movie is almost 30 years old now. WOW. Time flies.

[@nigelbilsby3826]

Beauty and talent!

[@SteveMudersbach]

Easily the most powerful film ever made. Schindler’s List is arguably the greatest film ever made. If not, the most important film ever made.

[@RiddaAneas]

Schindler's List, a Liam Neeson & Ben Kingsley duo

[@tobytaylor2154]

That film needs to be shown in all western democracies schools at an agreed acceptable age, due to the graphic scenes

[@buskeiten3625]

Movie was great and made me cry, all the times I watched it. When it aired in Germany, many would cry and I remember my grandmom having to leave early. She said she couldn't keep watching and that she felt embarrassed to be German... Probably the only movie I am aware of, that could wake up such feelings and emotions... and there are many movies about WW2 and Hitler around. Excellent performance by everybody.

[@clydecessna737]

"The list....is life."

[@palakmelani2892]

True

[@Freiya2011]

I adore this actor! I saw him both as Itzhak Stern as well as Gandhi. So good!

[@petrvrana834]

Did He win an Oscar for this role? If not he should!!!

[@cherylhulting1301]

He didn't, sadly. While SL took a lot of Oscars in early 1994, including Best Picture, Director, Cinematography, Score and Adapted Screenplay, none of the actors won an Oscar. Which is a damned shame.

[@FromHyrule]

Wow, I never new he played him

[@eanayac]

2:14 Witness and Conscience!! Damn right!!

[@cagedlemp5184]

STERN! ITZHAK STERN!

[@madaraenina1245]

I have always loved films based on True story. But Schindler's list best of the best❤

[@DMalltheway]

Great actor hands down and should’ve won best supporting actor.

[@jannikmaurer2231]

Best supporting should‘ve been Ralph Fiennes without a question, Kingsley was amazing as well though

[@jet43]

"Herr Direktor... Herr Direktor." Great actor, fabolous movie.

[@Arkelk2010]

It's a hard movie to watch. Maybe I'll be able to see it again in a couple of years. Doing the movie must have impacted, even changed, all of the on and behind the camera people involved.

[@curvy71]

the movie is very good.

[@curvy71]

yeah I know what you mean.

[@alatan]

I was quite young when I watched the film for the first time but still, when I saw that red coat in the pile..

[@robbabcock_]

Ike paraded German citizens through the horrific death camps at the end of the war because he KNEW EVEN THEN that evil would arise in the future and try to deny the atrocities committed there, to bury them. Spielberg performed a value service to humankind with a film that's not just beautiful but also a document to carry forward into the future.

[@Caligrammi]

Baffles me that people still try to deny this ever happened, that it was all a government conspiracy. I always reply with “how then do you explain the bins of shoes, eyeglasses, CHILDRENS shoes etc….” Most don’t have an answer and drop it. My father had family die in Auschwitz, his family emigrated in 1917 and as trouble brewed tried to get more to come to America but they didn’t think there was a danger until it was to late and the family found out through neighbors what happened, they never heard from them again

[@kevinprior3549]

Itzhak Stern and Otto Frank both played perfectly by one of Britain's finest actors... Sir Ben Kingsley.

[@aamir122a]

FYI ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Kingsley)

[@BruceWSims]

The European Holocaust of WW II was, in a sense a kind of one-two punch in that by the end of 1943, most of the Judaic Community in Poland, the Baltic States and the Ukraine were gone. What then followed was a brief "pause" of sorts followed by focus on the Balkans, Romania, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia etc etc. It may not happen in my lifetime, but, like Schindler, there were what I can only call "an Army of Saints" who intervened in this "second phase" and I hope their heroism gets documented as well. FWIW.

[@antoniorenteria2896]

holy crap i didnt realize that was him

[@cinemaipswich4636]

Ben deserves his knighthood. What a wonderful actor. He can shrug off himself, and take on another. Mr Spielberg has consumed all that footage, from long ago, and brought it back to us. I am not Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Jane.

[@toomasrett3931]

Good, Acton. Beitiful, 🧐

[@mojochi100]

🙏🌍🌹

[@charlotteworley1741]

Oscar Schindler was a very powerful man he tried to save as many Jews as he could

[@thejoeker3947]

He played another hauacaust survivor . And hit name is Otto Frank. From the disney version of the diary of Anne Frank.

[@traceyfairbairn2982]

It was called Anne Frank the whole story. It wasn’t the diary

[@thejoeker3947]

@@traceyfairbairn2982 Ben Kingsley is really good

[@traceyfairbairn2982]

@@thejoeker3947 he’s amazing. I’ve watched both movies several times and just found out the other day it was him in both parts

[@thejoeker3947]

@@traceyfairbairn2982 it’s ironic that He played Itzhak stern and the used Itzhak Perlman as the violin solos in John Williams music score.

[@keriioppolo4024]

Best movie ever