The 10 greatest black and white movies of all time - Schindler's List only at number 4

IMDb has revealed the greatest black-and-white movies of all time, and Schindler's List is only at number 4.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, this American historical film explores the power of the individual to make a difference against evil, the complexities of human nature and the struggle between good and evil, the ease of denial and bystanders in the face of atrocity, and the struggle for humanity and dignity amidst systematic dehumanisation and violence.

The film also highlights individuals' transformations, such as Oskar Schindler's moral awakening, and the fragility of life under totalitarian regimes.

Schindler's List was filmed in black and white to evoke the feel of historical footage and documentaries about the Holocaust, creating a sense of realism and conveying the period's grim atmosphere. The use of black and white also allowed for a more powerful impact when a few key scenes were presented in color,

People say Schindler's List is a powerful, emotionally impactful, and masterfully directed film, praised for its brilliant acting, especially by Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes, and its stark black-and-white cinematography that captures the horror and human resilience of the Holocaust.

However, it's also criticised for potentially sentimentalising or simplifying the complex history of the Holocaust, presenting a clear good-versus-evil narrative, and portraying Jewish characters with limited agency.

Despite these critiques, many consider it one of the most important and significant films ever made, with a vital message about how one person can make a difference against evil.

Users took to IMDb to comment on the film with one user sharing: "The movie started out pretty innocently, and for the first 20 minutes, I was wondering where the movie was going. Then it started to happen. The horrible cruelty of concentration camps. Oskar Schindler is an example of a man that no matter what the situation, there are people who won't go along with the cruelty of society. I'm sure it took courage to do what he did, because one wrong move and you'll be dead."

Another added: "Schindler's List is undoubtedly the best Holocaust film ever made. There just isn't anything like this film. Various other films have tried to show the true horrors of the Holocaust, but none of them succeeded the way that Schindler's List did. Schindler's List is a difficult film to watch. When you see the true atrocities of the Holocaust, your jaw drops. When you see the pain that all of the innocent people were going through, the only thing you can do is cry."

Films such as Pyscho and La Grande Illusion made the list with users commenting: "This is the rare example of a much-ballyhooed film that is truly deserving of all the hype surrounding it. It would have been nice to have experienced the film without any knowledge of the plot twists. Unfortunately, for most viewers, the big surprises are not possible since so many of the scenes are part of our popular culture.There were, however, so many unexpected surprises."

Another commented on La Grande Illusion: " 'La Grande Illusion' is one of those films that reaffirm a film lover's belief that cinema as an art form can be used by filmmakers to bring people together."

1. Citzine Kane

2. The Best Years of Our Lives

3. La Grande Illusion

4. Schlinder's List

5. Paths of Glory

6. Psycho

7. To Kill a Mockingbird

8. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

9. Sunset Blvd.

10. La Strada