Judgement At Nuremberg

Starring: Spencer Tracey, Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Maximilian Shell, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, William Shatner
Written by: Abby Mann

Director: Stanley Kramer
Year: 1961

Rating: * * * *   Stars       +       (Fan Bonus -  )  Total: * * * *

In post war, occupied Germany, four former Nazi's are tried as war criminals.

Spencer Tracey plays Judge Dan Haywood, who arrives in Nuremberg in 1948 to preside over the trial of four Nazi judges accused of war crimes in helping Hitler with his cleansing Germany of the socially undesirable. Richard Widmark is the prosecuting attorney who accuses them of being willing and evil accomplices of the Nazi's atrocities. Howard soon discovers that it isn't that simple.

It's been three years since the events of WWII, and with the cold war heating up, it seems politically, allied governments want to move on from this, and best let it be forgotten. This becomes one of many of the films powerful undertones. Should such atrocities be forgotten, or remembered? As the case evolves, the apparent choices the defendants faced were split between their allegiance to their country, and their allegiance to their own sense of humanity.

This film, nominated for 11 Oscars, including 2 wins, is a hard-hitting and compelling courtroom drama revolving around a subject matter that to this day still resonates with audiences. Maximilian Shell, Spencer Tracy and Judy Garland put in career defining performances. The use of authentic footage depicting crimes in concentration camps forces audiences to confront the unfiltered truth of the evils of the Nazi regime. The self-damning testimony at the end wakens us to the true criminals of this era, all of us. Whether through silent consent, self imposed ignorance, or fanatical loyalty, we were all in some way, responsible.

The relevance of this film is just as important as it was in 1961, that we should never forget, less we are doomed to repeat it. 

SEE THE TRAILER: Judgement At Nuremberg

*****On a special note, Retro Review celebrates its 50th review. Hope everyone has enjoyed the reviews so far, and we'll see you at post 100.*****