Judgment at Nuremburg 4.5 stars - Outstanding! Must see HDTV! B&W, AOR: 1:85.1. This film follows the military tribunal of 4 Nazi judges who are accused of using their office to legitimize Nazi policies of human exploitation and genocide (aka societal sterilization). The proceedings occur a few years after all high profile Nazi leaders were all tried. While these trials were of a lesser profile, they were certainly important in understanding how Nazi Germany was able to establish Nazi policies, practices, and actions as being lawful and necessary.
Spencer Tracy (American Judge Dan Haywood) leads an all-star cast in this Classic: Burt Lancaster (Dr. Janning), Richard Widmark (Col. Lawson), Marlene Dietrich (Mrs. Bertholt), Maximilian Shell (Hans Rolfe), Judy Garland (Mrs. Wallner), Montgomery Clift (Rudolf Petersen) Werner "Col. Klink" Klemperer (Emil Hahn), and even a young William Shatner (Capt. Byers) who plays one of Judge Haywood's aids. The acting was solid and often brilliant!...even though Judy Garland's performance was less than stellar. Although largely silent through the first 2 hours of the film, Burt Lancaster delivers a stunning performance when he takes the stand to testify against himself and his peers; he nails what this trial is all about.
The film is brilliant because it does not focus directly on the Holocaust. Instead, it reveals an insight into how it happened, and the horror at how the events unfolded in a civilized country. Again, great move...great acting...just a great experience.
Col. Lawson (Widmark): Now, what was the Feldenstein Case?
Dr. Geuter (Feldenstein lawyer): The case of a man accused of racial pollution.
Col. Lawson: Will you explain what is meant by racial pollution?
Dr. Geuter: This is the charge that is referred to by the Nuremberg laws, it says that any non-Aryan having sexual relations with an Aryan may be punished by death.
