..an absolutely flawless film..

Rating: 10/10 (6 May 2006)

If there is a "spoiler" in these comments, certainly it is intended by my statement that this movie has received no justice, although it was its theme. Perhaps the most important statement in the entirety of the film was presented at its end, when viewers were informed that NONE of those defendants who were convicted by U S Tribunals as Nazi criminals was still incarcerated at the the time the film was released.
This only proves that what is justice for one period of time does not remain justice for future periods of time. One only needs to ponder upon The U S Supreme Court's decisions of the past decade. The Court's position has become the most political body of jurists since its inception. Jurists at this elevation should never be concerned with politics of any nature - it should rule ultimately and solely from The U S Constitution, not at the favor of a president. That august document has been twisted and misinterpreted to render judgments to favor the few, while leaving the majority without proper due cause.
Spencer Tracy (the chief tribunal in "Judgment at Nuremberg") delivered a monologue in which the ultimate truth is stated - no one is above the law and must suffer the consequences of his guilt......an award-winner role if there ever were one. Yet, how do you determine his performance as being a notch beneath the stunning performance of Maximillian Schell who rightfully won it, or the mesmerizing performance of Montgomery Cliff, or the against-his-character of Burt Lancaster, or the wrenching performance of Judy Garland. ALL of the main characters in this movie should have been nominated. I don't even remember what other films were nominated in l961, or what they were about, but they certainly must have been blockbusters - or the winner must have been by a popularity contest with the academy voters. As we know, they are not always right.
"Judgment at Nuremberg" was robbed - the only nomination it couldn't have won was for costuming. Oh, it looked right - there just wasn't the need for extravagant costumes. Costuming, make-up, lighting, special effects, music certainly add to a film's impact: however, serious film-plays should be judged just as legitimate theater-productions are, by its impact of the actors' performances. The acting by every cast-member of "Judgment" was flawless and portrayed every human emotion we know of. Just as prominent members of the motion-picture industry who were by-passed in the year they were nominated - or were never were nominated - but are given "life-time"-awards years later, there needs to be an award for movies that SHOULD have won, but did not.
This film should be a part of every history-class in every school - but, how many schools' itineraries, today, include a class on history? Please read some of these other commentaries on "Judgment at Nuremberg" to get the full information about the film. To see how movies which were made during a golden age of movie-making, you must view this film. It will stay in your memory for ever - you should own a VHS or DVD version of it. This is one of those 20-out-of-10 performances.