Schindler's List ending explained

What happens

With Germany's surrender, Schindler must flee as a Nazi. The workers give him a ring made from a gold tooth, and he breaks down, saying he could have saved more. The epilogue shows survivors, with the actors, laying stones on his grave.

The last image

In colour, in Jerusalem, survivors and the actors who played them place stones on Schindler's grave, one by one.

What it says

The ending turns from triumph to doubt: the man of charm and control cannot count his success, only what he failed to do. Switching to real survivors insists this was not just a story, and must be remembered.