Kirpianuscus
remains a mystery the source of seduction for this special film. explanations are many. the meet of Burt Spencer and Marlene Dietrich and the great artistic duel. the performances of Maximilian Schell and Cliff Montgomery. the wise way for translate on the screen a real delicate subject. or, maybe, the ash who becomes ground and sky in this portrait of Europe after a huge crime out of words. few scenes are fresh in memory long time after I saw it. fragments, crumbs, seeds. from an inspired portrait of the evil in the best manner. because it is more than a film about Nazi legacy. or sketches of few lives after war. something defines in profound manner the story. something present in yourself. it has many names - fear, fragments of readied stories, slices from news from every day. but it is so profound in yourself than this film becomes a form of cure. or exorcism. so, an useful film.
Ed
This famous film from 1961 features some of the most familiar faces of the period, most of which are recognizable by viewers who are old enough. (I only first saw it several nights ago on PBS.) The star of this film is, of course, Spencer Tracy as chief judge Dan Haywood soon after he played, in effect, lawyer Clarence Darrow in "Inherit the Wind" a similar role. Others following are Burt Lancaster whose stature as an actor was rising as he stretched himself more and more and eventually played the starring role in Visconti's "The Leopard" ( Il Gattopardo"). Richard Widmark played the prosecutor Tad Lawson and Maximillian Schell played the defense lawyer, Hans Rolfe. Montgomery Clift also appeared as a victim of the Nazi enforced sterilization law.The growing friendship between chief Judge Haywood and Frau Bertholt (Marlene Dietrich) seems to defy judicial protocol but it does give Dietrich, (In reality a noted enemy of the Third Reich), a chance to remind people of her association with the World War II song "Lili Marlene".At one point the character played by Richard Widmark introduces the familiar, still upsetting, graphic photos taken by the Allies at the liberation of the concentration camps.Towards the end of the film we get some appearances by, of all people, Judy Garland which should remind of us of her acting ability in addition to her stature as perhaps the greatest entertainer of the 20th Century! She plays a woman involved in what was a real case of an elderly Jewish man executed on trumped-up charges of defiling the "racial purity" laws of Nazi Germany.The first of the many real Nuremberg trials had many defendants but director Kramer concentrates only on four fictional criminals. Still, this film is a notable indictment of those who evaded their responsibilities towards humanity during one of the biggest blots on human history!
Bloodshed Throne Productions
On one hand, I'd say that this is the sort of film that could only have been made in the 50s or the 60s. It has that atmosphere with some cold war tension and that sort of audience. The time period was very unique and had a wide range of movies of different styles and was an era of change in the film industry.On the other hand, I'd say that this movie was of its time. With its quick camera motions, 360 degree turns and unique film-making style (by acclaimed director Stanley Kramer), this is without doubt almost an 80s or 90s film in directorial aspects.The two most powerful things that the film had in hand were its fantastic performances by Spencer Tracy (and others whose names I cannot remember), and the message of the film (which is almost a twist in itself).Overall, it's a masterpiece and nothing short of that. One of the best films I have ever seen.
linuxnutcase1
This film is above most films made, it has not adventure no actions not pictures of lovely ladies. But it contains something much more important, justice. This film may or may not be a totally true story. Although if it was totally true it would carry more merit. What is does show has more merit then almost all the words our of people on TV today, for the most part. The judges in the film had to judge people who were right in their own land. The judges showed though that we as humans are responsible to a much higher power. Some called it God, whatever it is there is laws above all society and governments which every one is responsible for and their actions against. This film address that problem in much more detail, with much drama. And even shows pictures and films of the terrible operations of the concentration camps. A part of history we don't see enough of by a long shot. It makes each of us think of our own lives and what we stand for. Over all this is truly a must see film, for all, I would strongly say every school kid needs this in their education.
AD
