The Weight of History: Dissecting 'Nuremberg's' Legal Drama
In this episode of *Movies First*, reviewer Alex First delves into the harrowing psychological drama *Nuremberg*, which offers a profound exploration of the landmark trial that sought justice for crimes against humanity in the aftermath of World War II. The film centers on the unsettling dynamic between Nazi leader Hermann Goering, portrayed chillingly by Russell Crowe, and U.S. army psychiatrist Lt. Col. Douglas Kelly, played by Rami Malek. Alex discusses how Crowe captures Goering's disturbing duality—his affectionate side as a husband and father juxtaposed against the cold indifference he displayed towards the atrocities committed under his regime.
Listeners will be drawn into the intense psychological tension as Kelly grapples with the moral implications of his role in evaluating Goering's fitness for trial. Alex highlights Malek's nuanced performance, which effectively conveys the psychiatrist's internal conflict as he navigates the complexities of his professional duty while confronting the horror of Goering's actions.
The episode also examines the supporting cast, including Leo Woodle as the translator and John Slattery as Colonel Andrus, whose roles add depth to the narrative. The film's use of stark documentary footage serves as a haunting reminder of the atrocities that necessitated the trials, and Alex emphasizes the importance of this historical context in understanding the film's significance.
Director James Vanderbilt's adaptation of Jack El-Hai's book showcases not just the procedural challenges faced by the Allies but also the psychological toll on those involved in the trial. With a runtime of two and a half hours, the film maintains a gripping pace, compelling viewers to grapple with the weighty themes of justice, accountability, and the complexities of evil.
With a score of 8.5 out of 10, this episode invites listeners to reflect on the essential legacy of the Nuremberg Trials and the imperative of remembering historical atrocities, ensuring that justice prevails against the backdrop of human nature's darkest impulses.
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Alex First: The psychological drama Nuremberg
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delivers a powerful examination of the first
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ever trial for crimes against the peace of
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the world, focusing on the complex
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relationship between Nazi leader Hermann
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Goering and U.S. army psychiatrist
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Lt. Col. Douglas Kelly in
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1945. This groundbreaking
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legal proceeding was only made possible
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through unprecedented collaboration between
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Allied powers, setting the stage for how the
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world would deal with crimes against
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humanity. Russell Crowe portrays Goering,
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Hitler's second in command, with a disturbing
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smugness that perfectly captures the Nazi
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leader's narcissistic personality. The
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film highlights the jarring contradiction of
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a man who showed deep affection for his wife
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and child while remaining utterly dismissive
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of the 6 million Jews he helped send to
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their deaths. Crowe's performance
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emphasizes this duality, making his
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character both fascinating and revolting,
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particularly in scenes where his smirking
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demeanor betrays a complete lack of remorse
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for his actions.
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The story primarily follows Lt. Col.
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Douglas Kelly, played by Rami
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Malek, who arrives in the bombed out German
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city unaware that he will be tasked with
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evaluating Goering's psychological fitness
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for trial. Malick delivers a
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nuanced performance as he navigates the
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challenging role of a psychiatrist who forms
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an unsettling professional relationship with
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one of history's most notorious war
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criminals. The film explores
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the toll this assignment takes on Kelly's own
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psyche, with Malik effectively portraying the
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character's internal struggle between
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professional curiosity and moral revulsion.
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Supporting characters add crucial depth to
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the narrative. Leo Woodle plays Sergeant
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Howie Trieste, a German speaking translator
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whose background is revealed in one
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particularly powerful scene that stands as
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one of the film's most memorable moments.
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John Slattery portrays the steadfast
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Colonel Burton C. Andrus, whose primary
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mission is preventing the Nazi prisoners
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from committing suicide, a constant concern
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throughout the proceedings. Michael Shannon
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appears as Justice Robert H. Jackson,
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the lead prosecutor facing the monumental
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task of securing convictions in this
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unprecedented trial, bringing gravitas
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to a role that embodies the weight of
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historical responsibility. The film doesn't
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shy away from showing the brutal reality of
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Nazi atrocities. Most notably, it
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includes disturbing black and white footage
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of mass graves and and bulldozers moving
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piles of corpses, imagery that
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serves as a stark reminder of why these
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trials were so crucial. This
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documentary footage is integrated
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effectively, though viewers should be
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prepared for its graphic nature.
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The inclusion of such historical footage adds
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an undeniable authenticity to the narrative
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and forces viewers to confront the real
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world horrors that that necessitated these
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trials.
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Director James Vanderbilt, working from Jack
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EL Hay's non fiction book the Nazi and the
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Psychiatrist, crafts a taught psychological
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thriller that also serves as an important
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historical document. The film
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meticulously details the challenges faced by
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the Allies in mounting this groundbreaking
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prosecution, including numerous
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tactical mistakes and procedural difficulties
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that complicated their efforts. At two and
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a half hours long, the film maintains its
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grip throughout, offering a thorough
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examination of this pivotal moment in legal
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and world history. The movie
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particularly excels in showing the immense
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pressure faced by the American and British
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authorities to get this right,
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to ensure that justice would be served in a
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way that would stand up to historical
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scrutiny. Through careful attention to detail
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and and strong performances across the board,
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it illustrates both the procedural challenges
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and the psychological toll on those
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tasked with bringing these war criminals to
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justice. The film effectively
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conveys the historic significance of
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establishing legal precedents for prosecuting
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crimes against humanity. Most
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importantly, Nuremberg serves as a powerful
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reminder of why these trials were necessary
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and and why their legacy must be preserved.
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It stands as a testament to the importance of
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holding accountable those who commit crimes
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against humanity, while also exploring the
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psychological complexities of evil and those
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who must confront it directly. The film's
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M rating reflects its mature themes and
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disturbing content, earning it an 8
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1/2 out of 10 rating for its compelling
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portrayal of this crucial historical event
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and and the psychological drama at its core.
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The adaptation successfully balances its
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exploration of Goering's psychology with the
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broader historical significance of the
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Nuremberg Trials, creating a compelling
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narrative that forces viewers to confront
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difficult questions about human nature,
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justice and accountability. Through
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its careful attention to historical detail
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and powerful performances, the film
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delivers an important message and about the
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necessity of bearing witness to historical
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atrocities and ensuring justice is served,
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no matter how challenging the process may be.
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