A perfect, star-studded masterpiece!

Rating: 10/10 (27 May 2015)

This movie is perfect on every level - the casting; the acting; the screen writing; the direction; the filming; the ambiance of every scene, especially in the courtroom; the passion of every actor...nothing could be remade any better.
Like so many remakes...to remake this movie would be a dishonor to this work of art!
Heading the cast as the leading judge of the trials, and, as the leading defendant, are two of my personal favorites...Spencer Tracy and Burt Lancaster, respectively. As with every other movie these two American icons have ever made, they are both impeccable in this classic as well.
Although this movie is 'very loosely based upon' the post-World War II Nuremberg Trails; and, doesn't mention real (names of) judges, lawyers, and/or, Nazi defendants (all characters are fictitious, although, the crimes are not) - this is still a great cinematic achievement starring miracle-working actors.
William Shatner (Captain Kirk from "Star Trek TOS" (1966), before he was Captain Kirk), is in this; as is Werner Klemperer (Colonel Klink from "Hogan's Heroes" (1965) before he was Colonel Klink - and, he's 'not funny' in this movie). Other greats are Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich, and, Maximilian Schell, whom need no introduction at all; Judy Garland from "The Wizard Of Oz;" Montgomery Clift from "From Here To Eternity" (where he also starred with Burt Lancaster); as well as great character actors like Ray Teal (the sheriff from "Bonanza"); and, Karl Swenson ("The Birds" and "Little House on the Prairie").
Another noted detail of this movie is the highly-versatile director, Stanley Kramer. Can anyone believe that he directed Spencer Tracy in this 'very serious' movie in 1961; then, two years later, directed Tracy in the 'very funny' "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" in 1963; then, again, in the highly-popular and controversial "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" in 1967 (Spencer Tracy's last movie)!?!? WOW! That's directorial mood control and eclectic charm!
This is just a perfect movie...about a very imperfect time in the history of mankind.