A captivating psychological drama, “Nuremberg,” directed by Mames Vanderbilt, explores the complexities of the post-WWII trials of Nazi leaders and is based on the 2013 book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist” by Jack El-Hai.
The film focuses on a psychiatrist tasked with the investigation of numerous Nazi leaders to determine their mental fitness and stability, to prepare for their trial.
Played by Rami Malek, seen in “Oppenheimer” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the film follows Douglas Kelly, a United States psychiatrist tasked with the investigation of the mental fitness of top-ranking Nazis to prepare them for their trial.
The film focuses on the relationship between Douglas and Nazi leader Hermann Goering (played by Russell Crowe). The film explores themes of human nature and understanding how a seemingly ordinary human can cause great genocide.
“You know what sets him apart from us? Nothing,” Douglas Kelly says as he describes Goering. The film captures the intensity of the trials by focusing on the intimate relationship rather than the larger historical context of the Nuremberg trials.
Vanderbilt heightens the tension by keeping the actors in close walls of prison cells, creating a forced sense of pressure and claustrophobia. The way the movie portrays the characters also challenges the audience to view the Nazi leaders as human beings.
Vanderbilt depicts high-ranking Nazis as complex individuals who commit extreme violence while still showing love toward their own families. For example, Goering is depicted as a caring father and intelligent human being, contrasting greatly with his character as a merciless murderer.
The major historical context revolves around the Nuremberg trials and highlights the difficult effort to establish an international court that sets guidelines for future war crimes. The film accurately shows the difficulty of establishing credible evidence for the trial.
The film also illustrates the intense weight of the Nuremberg trials while taking some dramatic liberties. It makes trade-offs between focusing on personal details of the Nazi officers and simplifying the historical events of the Nuremberg Trials.
Many thought “Nuremberg” deserved Oscar nominations, and even though it did not earn any, it is still one of the better movies of the year and deserves a watch.
