In the past, performers have gone above and beyond to prepare for their roles. Actors frequently experience what is known as “the method,” where they immerse themselves so fully in a role that it costs them physically or emotionally. Robert Pattinson summoned his inner chiropterologist (a person who studies bats) to become Batman, Isabelle Fuhrman trained until her hands bled for the character of Alex in “The Novice,” and Brad Pitt chipped his front teeth for his role in “Fight Club.” Actors claim that the practise permanently alters them.
But how does one start getting ready to portray the commandant of a Nazi concentration camp? Ralph Fiennes had to learn it for himself after being given a significant part in Steven Spielberg’s World War II thriller “Schindler’s List.” According to Fiennes, he fell so far down the rabbit hole that he started to feel sympathy for the Nazi commander.
He understood the appeal of Nazi recruitment
The historical story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a businessman and Nazi party member who saved more than 1,000 Jews during the Holocaust by hiring them in his factories, is told in “Schindler’s List.” Seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, were given to Spielberg’s movie. For his depiction of SS commander Amon G. th, Ralph Fiennes received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
The New York Times reported that in order to understand the persona of Amon G. Th, Fiennes had to become completely immersed in Nazi literature. This includes watching recruitment videos and Nazi propaganda movies like “Triumph of the Will.” The recruitment material and movies, according to Fiennes, were supposed to convey a sense of “power, the order and hierarchy, and the patriotism.”
Fiennes put on 26 pounds to physically like G Hitler because he thought the Nazi leader succumbed to food and booze because of the horrifying deeds he would accomplish. According to TheL.A. Times, Fiennes’ diet consisted of three substantial meals per day, lots of Guinness, and a weight-gainer composed of vegetable fat. The script called for instances where G. the appeared shirtless as he oversaw the Nazi labour camp, therefore the physical metamorphosis was required.
What kind of toll does portraying a character that is so brutal and grounded in truth have on an actor?
Fiennes found himself relating to the character
Fiennes is aware of the psychology involved in playing someone as evil as Amon G th and is aware that it is very impossible to completely escape the repercussions of the character. He pondered:
“I think there was a price to pay for this one. When you’re investigating behavior that is that negative so intensely for three months, then you feel sort of peculiar because you might have at moments enjoyed it and at the same time you feel slightly soiled by it. It just throws up all kinds of question marks, about acting, about human behavior, about how all of that is probably a lot closer to the surface than we like to think.”
After the planning, a terrifying five-month shoot in Poland took place. The production, according to Entertainment Weekly, was awful on a number of levels. It might be as cold as 15 below zero. Billboards displaying anti-Semitic messages were displayed to the cast and staff. The entire time, director Steven Spielberg was engaged in a covert conflict with the company over the film’s realism, fighting for the right to shoot in monochrome and outside of Auschwitz.
Due to the realities of the production, Fiennes found himself in the improbable predicament of identifying with the hateful character he played. Fiennes claimed that when you are acting, you “immerse yourself in thinking about that character, how he walks, how he thinks.” “In the end, he turns into an extension of who you are. You enjoy him.” An expensive price to pay for a significant part in such a moving film.
