Judgment at Nuremberg - 1961

Director: Stanley Kramer

Cast:
Spencer Tracy ... Chief Judge Dan Haywood
Burt Lancaster ... Dr. Ernst Janning
Richard Widmark ... Col. Tad Lawson
Marlene Dietrich ... Mrs. Bertholt
Maximilian Schell ... Hans Rolfe
Judy Garland ... Mrs. Irene Hoffman Wallner
Montgomery Clift ... Rudolph Petersen
Ed Binns ... Sen. Burkette (as Edward Binns)
Werner Klemperer ... Emil Hahn
Torben Meyer ... Werner Lampe
Martin Brandt ... Friedrich Hofstetter
William Shatner ... Capt. Harrison Byers
Kenneth MacKenna ... Judge Kenneth Norris
Alan Baxter ... Brig. Gen. Matt Merrin
Ray Teal ... Judge Curtiss Ives

JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG is a movie with many strengths, among them Abby Mann's terrific writing and Stanley Kramer's always sure-footed direction. But the chief joy of this movie is its sensational cast. Possibly the best "all-star cast" movie ever made, JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG is a fascinating study, not only of its subject matter, but of different acting styles coming together.

Spencer Tracy's quiet and thoughtful turn as the lead judge is a perfect contrast to Maximilian Schell's (sensational) passionate defense attorney and Richard Widmark's almost fanatically zealous prosecutor. With these three remarkable actors "running the show," so to speak, we are treated to a parade of simply splendid performances.

Marlene Dietrich (in what may be the most difficult role in the film) plays the widow of a prominent Nazi general. Outside the courtroom she strikes up a tentative friendship with Tracy. Dietrich (a passionate Nazi-hater) brings a surprising depth of feeling to her portrait of a woman caught between her love for her country and the terrible times in which she lives.

In the midst of all this are two brief yet absolutely mesmerizing performances: Montgomery Clift and Judy Garland as victims of Nazi atrocities. Garland is utterly heartbreaking as a woman haunted by Nazi persecution; struggling to rebuild her life and regain her dignity, she is a very reluctant witness for the prosecution. Garland here reminds us what a superb dramatic actress she was.

Clift, in what may be the most chilling moment of the film, plays a man sterilized by order of the Nazis. By now it is well known that Clift was quite ill by the time he made this film; he uses his physical problems for all they are worth, making the character so real it is actually painful to watch.

Burt Lancaster makes an interesting departure from his usual gutsy male hero; here he plays the chief defendant, the former Minister of Justice. Lancaster abandoned his usual bluster here; this is a terribly moving performance: the man's quiet surface dignity belies the guilt he lives with. When at last he is forced to face himself, Lancaster delivers a monologue that in the theatre would bring the house down.

Last, but by no means least, there is Werner Klemperer as one of the defendants, a fanatical Nazi totally unashamed of his actions or his beliefs. For those of you who only know Klemperer as Colonel Klink on HOGAN'S HEROES, be warned: this is a chilling portrait of a monster.

Sprinkled among these delightful star turns is a supporting cast in which there is never a false note: William Shatner in a surprisingly un-hammy performance as the chief Judge's aide; Ben Wright and Virginia Christine as Tracy's housekeeper and manservant; Torbin Meyer and Martin Brandt as the two remaining defendants; John Wengraf, Karl Swenson, and Olga Fabian as witnesses; Kenneth MacKenna and Ray Teal as Tracy's fellow judges; Howard Caine as Garland's husband.

Watching really good actors ply their craft is always a great joy; JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG serves up a feast of mesmerizing performances in a film you will find it very hard to forget.