A disturbing and thought-provoking masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (30 November 2007)

Of the large output of movies that concern themselves with accounts of the Nazi era and its aftermath, there are perhaps only a handful that can be called 'great'. This is certainly one of them. This film is about the (fictional) tribunal of 4 of the German judges, who 'legalised' the atrocities enshrined in the so-called 'Nuremberg Laws' and were swayed by political rather than legal considerations when making their judgements. By 1948, there was increasing political pressure for the trials to cease. Germany was becoming regarded as a bastion against the threat of communism from the East. As one character in this film remarks : 'You do not get help from the German people if you constantly keep putting their leaders on trial.' Spencer Tracey plays the principal judge, who is determined that the tribunal shall go ahead, and makes every effort to understand how such terrible events could occur in a 'civilised' country. As the trial progresses we are shown, not just from witnesses brought in and the courtroom drama itself, (and very dramatic it is), a country that permitted the most horrendous crimes to be committed in its name, now shamed and defeated, trying to regain a semblance of normality and self-respect. All seven principals (The cast list reads like a Hollywood who's who) give stunning performances and the direction by Stanley Kramer makes for an unforgettable experience.