Julian Scherner Character Analysis in Schindler’s List

Julian Scherner is a police chief in Nazi-occupied Poland and an officer in the SS. As a middle-ranked man in the Nazi Party, Scherner oversees atrocities against Jews but is arguably more interested in his own personal enrichment than in party ideology. Though Oskar Schindler secretly despises Scherner (as well as the other police chief, Czurda), the two often drink together and have a working relationship. When Schindler ends up in prison, Scherner is at the top of the list that Schindler gives his secretary Klonowska to call. Because Scherner’s name carries a lot of influence, he is successful in getting Schindler out of jail. Scherner is just one of many unsavory characters who nevertheless plays a key role in helping Schindler carry out his rescue plan, without even realizing it.

Julian Scherner Character Timeline in Schindler’s List

The timeline below shows where the character Julian Scherner appears in Schindler’s List. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the violin and Leo on accordion. Seated at Goeth’s table are some Nazis, including Julian Scherner (head of the SS for Cracow) and Rolf Czurda (chief of a security branch in... (full context)

Schindler doesn’t like Bosch, Scherner, or Czurda, but he needs their cooperation to keep his plant in Zablocie running, so... (full context)

Goeth and the police chiefs (Czurda and Scherner) like Schindler, although they find him unusual. They blame it on him being from a... (full context)

...would be possible to get some kitchenware for her. Schindler owes a debt because the Scherner’s office has already gotten him out of jail twice. He asks if the goods should... (full context)

...the ghetto. Control of the ghetto has been handed down from Governor Frank to Julian Scherner, a middle-aged SS officer who looks like a standard bureaucrat (and whom Schindler has met... (full context)

The first name on Schindler’s list is Julian Scherner, and the second is Martin Plathe of the Abwehr. Third is Franz Bosch (whom Schindler... (full context)

...the officers name, because he wants to take the issue of the list up with Scherner and with General Schindler. At last, the officer relents, and Schindler is able to free... (full context)

All the local factory owners are called to a meeting in Julian Scherner’s office, where Goeth is present. Goeth hopes to charm Bosch, Madritsch and Schindler into moving... (full context)

...condition that the SS generals also approve. The next day, a meeting is arranged with Scherner. Goeth and Scherner make Schindler pay the expenses for the new camp construction. They don’t... (full context)

...anywhere else. They aren’t allowed inside the camp itself, because Schindler makes angry calls to Scherner if that happens—but this suits the guards fine, because they don’t mind having an easy... (full context)

...under the authority of General Oswald Pohl in Oranienburg. Schindler’s contacts in local police, like Scherner and Czurda, lose much of their power, so Schindler now must report to the officials... (full context)

...him in. Finally, after a week, Schindler sends a message through Huth and Klonowska to Scherner. Scherner comes and says it’s an outrage how Schindler is being treated, but he says... (full context)