Judgement At Nuremberg is a stunning coutroom drama based on the actual Nazi war crimes trials that were held in Nuremberg, Germany at the end of WWII. An impressive script by Abby Mann is brought to life by a stellar cast including Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster, Marlene Dietrich, Richard Widmark, Maximilan Schell, and Montgomery Clift.
Set in 1948, Judgement At Nuremberg tells the fictional story of the trial of four judges who served in Nazi Germany. As judges under Adolf Hitler's regime, they upheld Nazi laws and passed down death sentences based on the race/religion/political affiliation of the accused. Jugements that were passed down had no legal basis because Hitler's words had power above all written law. As a basis for their rulings, judges were encouraged to ask themselves "What would Hitler do in my place?". After the war ended, the German judges had to answer for the actions that they had undertaken during Hitler's regime, they were put on trial by the Allied forces. It is an interesting concept, the tables are turned. Now the former judges are being judged and they are in the position as the accused.
Although there are four defendants in the dock, the movie focuses specifically on one - Ernst Janning (played by Burt Lancaster). Janning had served as a judge under the Nazi regime, but before Hitler had come to power, Janning had an impressive career as a fair jurist. He had written several well respected legal books and was even one of the framers of the Weimar Constitution - Germany's first democratic constitution. Janning stands as a very interesting and complex figure in this story. Once revered as a principled jurist, he is now a defendant accused of inhumane crimes. This movie raises many interesting and fascinating issues regarding human nature, nationalism, pride, guilt, and personal responsibility. I do not want to say too much about the story because it is interesting to watch it unfold.
There are many layers to this engrossing story. The performances are outstanding as well. Marlene Dietrich plays Mrs. Bertholdt, the German widow of a general who had been hanged by the Allies for crimes against humanity. She sets out to befriend judge Dan Haywood the Chief judge in the tribunal presiding over the Ernst Janning case in the hopes of finding some justice for the memory of her dead husband. Spencer Tracy plays Dan Haywood, the small town American judge called to preside over the trial of the German ex-judges. He is intent on judging them firmly all the while knowing that many people felt that these ex-judges were not important enough in the Nazi hierarchy to be put on trial and therefore it is a waste of time. Montgomery Clift plays Rudolf Peterson, a mentally disturbed man who had been sterilized by the Nazis. He is called to the stand to testify against Ernst Janning. Richard Widmark plays Colonel Tad Lawson, the hard-nosed prosecuting attorney haunted by the memories of the horrors that he encountered when he liberated the concentration camps. He is determined to see the defendants be held responsible for their actions despite the fact that they were not high-level Nazis. One of the most powerful performances is from Maximilian Schell as Hans Rolfe, Ernst Janning's defense attorney. The spirited Rolfe energetically defends his client for reasons other than truly believing that he is not responsible for his actions, in his client he sees Germany itself. Also, the trial is complicated by matters outside of the courtroom. After jointly defeating Hitler's armies, the Americans and the Soviets were now at odds with each other. A major power struggle was taking place between them and Germany was a very significant factor in this struggle. There were many people who saw practical reasons to end these Nazi war crimes trials.
The majority of the movie takes place in the courtroom inside the Palace of Justice. There is amazing camera work in the courtroom under the skillful direction of Stanley Kramer. As far as disturbing imagery is concerned, there only one instance. It is a scene in which a short film is shown in the courtroom depicting footage of what was found by the Allies when they liberated the concentration camps. There are some very distressing images in the film.
This is a powerhouse movie with an intense and compelling story to tell. Although it runs rather long, (about three hours), it is very gripping and interesting throughout.
Tags: judgement at nuremberg, maximilian schell
Currently Feeling: 
pensive
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
anise_starr's journal
<<< Previous 10 Entries Next 10 Entries >>> 
