Spielberg, 25 Years After ‘Schindler’s List,’ Warns Against Collective Hate

In the wake of the mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue in October, acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg believes now, more than ever, is when people must confront the alarming rise in hateful ideologies.

Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning film about the Holocaust, “Schindler’s List,” is returning to select theaters this week in honor of its 25th anniversary. It’s a story that still resonates today, he said in an interview with “NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt airing Wednesday.

“I think there is more at stake today than even back then,” Spielberg said, referring to when the film was released.

Although he made some of the most popular and enduring blockbusters in history — from “E.T.” to “Jurassic Park” to “Jaws” — it was “Schindler’s List” that earned Spielberg his first Academy Award. But he never imagined it would also earn commercial success.

“I couldn’t imagine based on the story that we told that an audience would tolerate just the amount of violence, human against human. Or inhuman against human,” Spielberg, 71, said. “No one thought the film was going to make any money.”

Liam Neeson in “Schindler’s List.”Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection

But it did, and then some — snagging $320 million worldwide.

Ultimately, it was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won seven, including best director and best picture, and is widely considered to be one of the most important films of all time.

For a man who is no stranger to “best-of” lists, Spielberg still ranks “Schindler’s List” as one of the most personal films he has ever made.

“I don’t think I’ll ever do anything as important,” he said, adding, “So this, for me, is something that I will always be proudest of.”

“Schindler’s List” was produced by Universal Pictures, which is owned by NBC News’ parent company, NBCUniversal.

(Excerpt) Read More at: NBCNews.com