Brilliant film

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 2004)

Justifiably described as a "great movie" -- very well written, well acted, and well directed. One of the most interesting things about it is that it doesn't concern itself with trials of the 'big boys' -- it instead concerns itself with what might be thought of as 'small fry' -- legal functionaries, carrying out the will of (nazi) government. These men might not be thought of as war criminals, and therein lies the brilliance -- this movie isn't about Nazis, it's about how easy it is to just 'go along', hide one's conscience, and cause massive evil. Its about how easily the machinery of civilization (specifically, its legal system) can turn from protecting to destroying parts of the citizenry, merely with some bits of paper to hide behind.
Great performances by pretty much everybody (anybody could be great with words like these to say, but they're well acted anyhow) -- Mongomery Clift positively shines as a less- than-brilliant man who reminds us all that dignity isn't just for the best and the brightest. Max Schell does too as a man trying pretty much anything to avoid a guilty verdict he knows is all but inevitable. Widmark is relentless as the legal eagle prosecuting the case, and of course Spencer Tracy as the conscience is the gravitas of the whole thing.
A long movie, certainly, but worth your time.
And oh by the way, reviewers who try to fit this movie into their tiny-minded political of- the-day worldview should just leave off. 'nuff said.