I Only Need Two Words:Burt Lancaster

Rating: Null/10 (3 October 2002)

Ok,let's faced,The Germans are the bad guys:they killed a lot of people.The Americans are the good guys:they saved the world.So,by the natural order of things we are supposed to root for the good guys and let the Germans get what they deserve.But that,at least for me is virtually impossible when it comes to Ernst Janning,a German jurist with the face of an angel,played by an amazingly beautiful Burt Lancaster.What the american Prosecutor,played by Richard Widmark say with a thousand words and screams,Ernst Janning say with his eyes,to tell the truth,he stays in complete silence for almost the entire trial,But his face is all he needs.Another starry performance is given by Maximilian Schell,who have the task I would kill for,defending Janning.Whe cannot forget the wonderful Spencer Tracy who have the most hard task,at least for me:convict the defendants.The greatest scene of this masterpiece is when Rolfe(the defense lawyer)is crucifying the witness,(I'm not going to be a spoiler,you will have to see the film to know why),and Ernst Janning finally explodes,and that gives space to a dreamy speech(9 minutes in close-up,with that heavenly face of Burt Lancaster dominating the entire screen,putting out everything hidden in his heart.I really would not want to be in Spencer Tracy's place because I would never convict a man so beautiful as Burt Lancaster.If you are looking for a massterpiece:"Judgement At Nuremberg" is your film.10 out of 10.And 1000 out of 10 to Burt Lancaster.