


Stanley Kramer's film is based on a television play by Abby Mann. Over ten years after the end of World War Two, judge Dan Haywood (Spencer Tracey) is sent to Germany to preside over the prosecution of Nazis, including Ernst Janning (Burt Lancaster). While the prosecuting attorney bases his case on the war crimes and atrocities committed by those on trial, defence counsel Hans Rolfe (Maximillian Schell) claims that to try Nazi officers for simply obeying Hitler's commands is equivalent to judging all Germany. Review: Stupendous - Three hours of intense courtroom drama. This is a film that could have been worthy but dull. Instead it was a fascinating study of the aftermath of the Second World War with steadily rising tension - even if one could guess at the eventual outcome. This was a film about people, principles and process rather than a verdict. There were some intriguing subplots, such as the subtle relationship between Spencer Tracy (as Judge) and Marlene Dietrich as the embittered widow of a German war hero. The acting was extraordinary by any standard and it would be invidious to pick out the best performance. Burt Lancaster, Spencer Tracy, Maximilian Schell, Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland were all simply outstanding. The script was intelligent and avoided all the usual clichees. I felt I was in the courtroom with the accused and everyone else. And I kept asking myself, how would I have stood up under all the pressures of living in Nazi Germany. Was it that easy to rebel against an authoritarian state? The shots of Nuremberg after the allied bombing raids - stark, skeletal, burnt out - were bleak but set the tone and gave the viewer some sympathy for the plight of the average German caught up in the horrors of war. In the end, we were left with the question 'Was it four judges on trial - or the whole of Germany?' and that was something we all had to answer for ourselves. This is a great classic movie. It's in black and white - and probably all the better for that bearing in mind the film was set in the late 1940s. Worthy of all the superlatives that have been applied to it. Review: This is rhe real thing from an age that valued truth. - Excellent film and tr;u;thful. just. Puts to shame a film that would be waffled today. Justice does exist but it's been sacrificed and nearly forgorren. That's the climate we live in.
| Colour | Black & White |
| Contributor | Alan Baxter, Burt Lancaster, Edward Binns, Judy Garland, Kenneth MacKenna, Marlene Dietrich, Maximilian Schell, Montgomery Clift, Richard Widmark, Spencer Tracy, Stanley Kramer, Torben Meyer, Werner Klemperer, William Shatner Contributor Alan Baxter, Burt Lancaster, Edward Binns, Judy Garland, Kenneth MacKenna, Marlene Dietrich, Maximilian Schell, Montgomery Clift, Richard Widmark, Spencer Tracy, Stanley Kramer, Torben Meyer, Werner Klemperer, William Shatner See more |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,279 Reviews |
| Format | PAL |
| Genre | Drama |
| Manufacturer | 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |
| Number of discs | 1 |
| Runtime | 3 hours and 5 minutes |
D**I
Stupendous
Three hours of intense courtroom drama. This is a film that could have been worthy but dull. Instead it was a fascinating study of the aftermath of the Second World War with steadily rising tension - even if one could guess at the eventual outcome. This was a film about people, principles and process rather than a verdict. There were some intriguing subplots, such as the subtle relationship between Spencer Tracy (as Judge) and Marlene Dietrich as the embittered widow of a German war hero. The acting was extraordinary by any standard and it would be invidious to pick out the best performance. Burt Lancaster, Spencer Tracy, Maximilian Schell, Richard Widmark, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland were all simply outstanding. The script was intelligent and avoided all the usual clichees. I felt I was in the courtroom with the accused and everyone else. And I kept asking myself, how would I have stood up under all the pressures of living in Nazi Germany. Was it that easy to rebel against an authoritarian state? The shots of Nuremberg after the allied bombing raids - stark, skeletal, burnt out - were bleak but set the tone and gave the viewer some sympathy for the plight of the average German caught up in the horrors of war. In the end, we were left with the question 'Was it four judges on trial - or the whole of Germany?' and that was something we all had to answer for ourselves. This is a great classic movie. It's in black and white - and probably all the better for that bearing in mind the film was set in the late 1940s. Worthy of all the superlatives that have been applied to it.
G**R
This is rhe real thing from an age that valued truth.
Excellent film and tr;u;thful. just. Puts to shame a film that would be waffled today. Justice does exist but it's been sacrificed and nearly forgorren. That's the climate we live in.
W**I
Uncomfortable subject matter, but great movie
Great movie about how German judges enforced Nazi laws during the second world war and how they were brought to trial post war. Great acting and historical content.
C**E
Top quality film
Quality performances , excellent film.
S**T
A great cast in a first class film.
Haven't seen this since it was relased ,superb cast and really looking to see this again .
R**N
This is history, to the shame of humankind it happened
This portrays the war crimes tribunal after WWII. It includes scenes and narratives that should never be forgotten lest man's inhumanity to his fellow people's be repeated. It should be compulsory viewing as part of the history curriculum of at least, all nations that fought in that war
J**E
Judgement At Nuremberg [DVD]
Excellent DVD
D**S
It's the acting
Sadly dated, or do we expect more in the 2000's. In the current age of the documentary, this is a better medium for a presentation of the events at Nuremberg (as opposed to a drama). Is there such a documentary? Spencer Tracy is worthy, the supporting cast supporting, but this is a film of its time (post-war Germany), not necessarily a challenge to the values and behaviours of Nazi Germany, or is it a rationalisation of USA participation in WWII, and how bad the Nazis were. The film is more interesting now in terms of the actors performances, than the awful subject matter of Nuremberg, necessarily prettified in the film.
G**U
Five Stars
Nowordstodescribethisrivetingmovie.Thosetimesarelostforever.Pity.
P**E
Visages purs
Bel envoi. Toute confiance. Dietrich Tracy lancaster clift Garland : tous ces héros enfin en très bonne définition. Dommage pas de sous titre !
R**G
Tadellose Bestellung
Alles ist gut geklapt mit einen schwierigen zu finden Film.
B**N
WARNING! Disc is Region A and does not play in European Blu-ray players
There was nowhere any mention that the disc delivered would be region A coded, and thus not playable in European Blu-ray players. This was discovered after the eligible refund period, but neither Amazon nor the seller seem willing now to take responsibility for misleading their customers here. Shame on you. I still hope that either seller or Amazon will acknowledge their fault and offer a full refund. I have thus not been able to see the movie. Edit: After having had contact with the customer service of Amazon they gave me my money back. The rep that helped me understood the situation and acted promptly, with good results. Thanks!
G**S
Must watch
With brilliant acting and a chilling moral, this classic film will leave you questioning today's politics.
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