Schindler's List was among the major cultural events of 1993, a superbly realized remembrance of European Jews who suffered genocidal persecution during World War II. As a film, it transcends critical evaluation with its overwhelming social message. Nonetheless, specific aspects of the film stand out, in particular Liam Neeson's complex performance as the humane industrialist who protects his workers from the horrors of German concentration camps. Widely considered director Steven Spielberg's masterpiece, Schindler's List is a landmark moment in cinema. It is frequently used as a teaching tool, and it has helped ensure a public awareness of Nazi atrocities for years to come.