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Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Judgment at Nuremberg is Director Stanley Kramer's socially conscious 1961 film that focuses on the war crime trials about atrocities occurring during World War II. Most of the action takes place in the courtroom and pits German and American legislators against each other; the Americans wanting justice against the Nazi's for their horrible war crimes against people and countries. An all-star cast steers the three-hour film and includes Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich, Maximilian Schell, Judy Garland and Montgomery Clift.
I n this fictional story, the famous trial follows World War II and centers on four Nazi judges on trial - Dr. Ernst Janning (Burt Lancaster, Executive Action), Emil Hahn (Werner Klemperer, Death of a Scoundrel), Werner Lampe (Torben Meyer, The Fly), and Friedrich Hofstetter (Martin Brandt, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.). At the head of an American panel of judges is Dan Haywood (Spencer Tracy, Boys Town). The parallels of two opposing judges, Janning and Haywood, are fascinating. Once on even turf, now one must decide the fate of the other.
Maximilian Schell
Defense attorney Hans Rolfe (Maximilian Schell, A Bridge Too Far) has the incredible task to take up the German cause as he represents Ernst Janning (Burt Lancaster). Facing off against him is Colonel Tad Lawson (Richard Widmark, The Street with No Name). Both actors portray their characters passionately and provide many exciting and believable moments during the film.
No courtroom drama can reach a fever pitch without a slew of witnesses for jurors to determine if they speak the truth or not. Judgment at Nuremberg is no exception. These actors include Rudolf Petersen (Montgomery Clift, From Here To Eternity) and Irene Hoffman (Judy Garland, The Wizard of Oz), who once grilled by Rolfe. Although both Clift and Garland had
Judy Garland
brief appearances on screen in relation to the length of the movie, their portrayals earned them a Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. Maximilian Schell actually won the Oscar for Best Actor for his heartfelt and genuine performance.
No movie is good without conflict. Marlene Dietrich (Destry Rides Again) brings plenty of that to the story playing Madame Bertholt, a woman whose husband was executed by the Yanks who then added insult to injury when they
Marlene Dietrich
confiscated her house. Haywood must take many aspects such as this into account when he's deciding the outcomes of the trial. Like most of Tracy's movies had already proved, he can play an open minded and fair guy as easily as the worst gangster. His speech as Haywood delivering his final judgment practically brings chills; it's so insightful about the entire situation.
It goes without saying that it's not a welcome thought to sit through a three-hour movie, yet in addition to films such as Gone With the Wind or Shawshank Redemption (two & half), this is one to consider. In addition to the remarkable performances, it's a highly intriguing story that one can't help questioning his/her own mind about and wondering how he/she would have handled the situation had he/she been on that bench making such a heavy decision about life and death no matter what the consequences of the crime.
Spencer Tracy &
Marlene Dietrich
Here are the Academy Award nominations and wins of the film: Wins - Actor - Maximilian Schell; Actor - Spencer Tracy; Director; Adapted Screenplay - Abby Mann;
Nominations - Best Picture; Director - Stanley Kramer; Supporting Actor - Montgomery Clift; Supporting Actress - Judy Garland; Cinematography (B&W) - Ernest Laszlo; Art Direction (B&W) - Rudolph Sternad &
Montgomery Clift
George Milo; Film Editing - Frederic Knudtson; Costume Design (B&W) - Jean Louis.
Once a viewer has had time to watch and reflect on this story, a trip back to watch the bonus features is a must.
Special Features
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A Tribute to Stanley Kramer - a documentary featuring Mann and Kramer's wife, Karen, talking about career and life, and what Stanley thought of Dachau's Holocaust victims.
Director: Stanley Kramer
Writer: Abby Mann & Montgomery Clift (unaccredited) - screenplay, Abby Mann - story
Cast: Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich, Maximilian Schell, Judy Garland, Montgomery Clift
Rating: Not Rated
Classic Movie Guide Rating: 4 out of 5
DVD Release Date: 9/07/2004
Run Time: 178 minutes
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment
Format: B & W - widescreen version
Photo credits: MGM Home Entertainment
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