I cannot say how much restoration of the 20 year old film was necessary for this presentation, but the press release accompanying the Blu-ray states that Spielberg himself oversaw said restoration. What I can say is that whatever work may have been done, the end result is an exceptional one. The level of detail present in the black and white piece is fantastic; grain has been preserved; and there is not a scratch, blemish, or distortion present to mar the image. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is certainly front heavy, but when the surrounds come into play they are all the more powerful for it. The track is well-balanced, crisp, and clear. As with the video, there is nary of blemish of which to speak on the audio track.
Are there people out there who dislike Schindler's List? Of course there are. Some of those arguments stem from ideals about not dramatizing such events, some come from people not being able to watch such horrors unfold, and still others from a dislike of the fictionalized aspects of the movie (and there are some), the list goes on and on. I, however, think that the tale Spielberg puts on film, is a powerful one, that it features incredible performances, and truly emotional moments. It shows exactly how powerful film can be and reminds us that we all have a duty to our fellow man, no matter where they're from, what they look like, or what god(s) they might worship. It is an important movie in a way that few are, and remains wholly engrossing in a way that few films do. The fact that it combines these two things makes it that much better.
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