Nuremberg: Unraveling Justice After WWII
Whereas World War II movies are plentiful, depictions of the aftermath – the attempts to hold perpetrators accountable – are less common. Nuremberg offers a glimpse into this complex period, immediately following the Allied victory, and highlights the challenges of bringing those responsible for war crimes to justice on an international scale. The drama is adapted from Jack El-Hai’s 2013 nonfiction book, The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, and centers on the true story of a U.S. Army psychiatrist tasked with evaluating 22 high-ranking Nazis before their trial for war crimes committed during WWII. As he forms a troubling connection with one of the former German leaders, his understanding of evil is profoundly tested. Directed by James Vanderbilt (Truth), the period piece stars Russell Crowe and Rami Malek.
When and Where to Watch Nuremberg
Nuremberg is currently available for streaming on Britannica.
Who’s in the Cast of Nuremberg?
- Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring
- Rami Malek as Douglas Kelley
- Shannon as Robert H. Jackson
What Happens in Nuremberg?
As Nazi Germany falls to the Allied forces, American troops capture Hermann Göring, Hitler’s second-in-command, in Austria. Upon hearing this news, U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson seizes the opportunity to participate in something unprecedented: a tribunal of world powers charging Göring and other surviving Nazi leaders with war crimes, establishing the first precedent for the international prosecution of war criminals. Jackson believes that legally convicting and sentencing the remnants of Hitler’s regime is essential for global healing and serves as a warning against future dictators.
As part of Jackson’s efforts to establish the International Military Tribunal, U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley is brought in to evaluate the mental health of the prisoners. While most of the accused treat Kelley with contempt, his conversations with Göring are markedly different. Kelley finds Göring to be civil and even charming at times, but recognizes him as a highly intelligent narcissist who believes he will escape consequences. As Kelley continues his interviews, he becomes embroiled in a psychological battle with Göring, questioning the moral high ground in war and whether there are only winners and losers. With the unprecedented trial hanging in the balance, understanding Göring’s motivations is crucial to unraveling him on the stand.
Is Nuremberg Based on a True Story?
Yes, Nuremberg is based on the Nuremberg Trials, during which 22 Nazi leaders were tried for their crimes between November 1945 and October 1946 by an international tribunal. Following WWII, the Allied powers debated how to handle captured Nazi war criminals. While some advocated for summary execution, U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson argued that the Allies’ moral standing would be affected by how they treated the defeated Nazis – particularly if they resorted to the same methods as Hitler by executing individuals without trial.
Jackson then spearheaded the creation of a legal framework for the trials, which included defining three new crimes: crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Göring and other Nazi leaders were charged with various combinations of these crimes. The year-long series of tribunals established that, in the postwar world, justice would be served in a courtroom, not on the battlefield.
Many characters in the film are based on real people, including Hermann Göring, Douglas Kelley, Robert H. Jackson, Burton Andrus, John Amen, Gustave Gilbert, David Maxwell-Fyfe, Howard Triest, and Elsie Douglas.
The Historical Significance of the Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg trials were a landmark event in international law, establishing the principle of individual accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The trials demonstrated that even heads of state and military leaders could be held responsible for their actions, and they laid the foundation for the development of international criminal law. The trials also highlighted the horrors of the Holocaust and the systematic persecution of Jews and other minority groups by the Nazi regime. Britannica provides further details on the trials’ significance.