Writer/Director: James Vanderbilt
Starring: Rami Malek, Russell Crowe and John Slattery
‘A Mesmerizing Drama’
The Holocaust is a controversial subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. 80 years after Hitler’s downfall, it’s proven difficult for directors to portray genocide that’s painful to recall. From a personal point-of-view, I saw the impact of genocide on a professor that was a Jew. Years ago, I was taught by a professor whose parents died in a downtrodden Jewish ghetto. In college, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor that had knowledge. An inspirational professor, he was dedicated to teaching students about genocide in which life wasn’t beautiful. Being Jewish, his goal he strived to accomplish was to teach students about genocide in which his people had to perish. He always took great pride teaching students about a grim genocide in which his people died. Fascinated by the Nuremberg trial, he would strive to educate students about historical events he saw worthwhile. I soon found that my professor held strong views against films that depicted hardships of Jews. He considered Cinema art with limitations that couldn’t do justice to genocide tearing lives apart. My teacher would complain that movies were art that could never capture the genocide’s pain. He would often strive to explain when genocides occurred involving a few good men. Put simply, he believed movies could never capture frightening genocides that were inglorious. I would cherish time I spent with a one-of-a-kind teacher that had a beautiful mind. He became an inspirational guide in whom it was simple for me to confide giving me lifelong interest in genocide. Looking back in nostalgia, I’ve gained respect for a professor that taught me about lessons on the Shoah. Years later, I treasure a larger-than-life teacher that taught me about genocide disaster.
As someone treasuring memories of a teacher that was fascinated with Nuremberg, I adored “Nuremberg”. Released in 2025, James Vanderbilt’s movie captured the Nuremberg trials in history. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a mesmerizing historical drama. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Russell Crowe, who embodies a Nazi commander facing sorrow. Although “Nuremberg” is riveting, it isn’t a flawless film. It’s overlong, and suffers from an ambiguous ending. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that will satisfy fans of historical dramas.
“Nuremberg” tells the true story of Nazi war criminals that faced trials in Nuremberg. Russell Crowe portrays Hermann Goring, a Nazi war criminal facing trials that are frightening. Goring has always shown strong devotions towards Hitler whom he has never stopped following. However, Goring’s life forever changes when he participates in a courtroom case causing disaster. Interrogated by psychiatrist Jack Kelley (Rami Malek), Goring faces trials that are tragic. Under anxiety, Goring questions lifelong devotion to the Nazi party.
James Vanderbilt has always been fascinated with themes of truth. His award-winning film “Truth” captured downfall of a scandalous journalist uncovering a truth. With “Nuremberg”, however, Vanderbilt created his first historical drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture a controversial trial in German history, but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Vanderbilt captures a controversial trial that occurred in history. Evoking Oliver Hirschbiegel’s “Downfall”, Vanderbilt effectively uses archival footage to capture events leading to a nation’s downfall. For instance, the archival footage elevates the Holocaust concentration camps scene. During this unforgettable scene, Gorring witnesses frightening footage of the Holocaust concentration camps shown in the courtroom. It brought back heartwarming memories of a professor that would love teaching students about a mass genocide disaster. Archival footage is a tricky technique. As Ron Howard’s “A Beautiful Mind” suggested, archival footage elevates commemorated biopics about legendary mathematicians. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using groundbreaking visuals, Vanderbilt captures a courtroom trial that’s frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “Nuremberg” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is well-made. Evoking Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”, Vanderbilt effectively uses production of prisons to capture genocide destruction. Throughout the movie, the prison serves as an important location in capturing Nazi destruction. For instance, the location of the prison elevates the argument scene. During this unforgettable scene, Gorring has an argument with Douglas Kelley after he is criticized for committing genocide. It reminded me of my teacher’s criticisms about movies being an art form that could never capture genocides which left the world emotionally devastated. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Brian Tyler’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing a genocide causing despair. Through stunning production, Vanderbilt honours mass genocide destruction.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Nuremberg” is a historical drama that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues capturing Nazi leaders that face tension. Evoking Rob Reiner’s “A Few Good Men”, Vanderbilt effectively uses monologues to capture tensions faced by a courtroom filled with few good men. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the final speech scene. During this unforgettable scene, Johnson delivers a rousing speech penalizing Gorring for crimes. It reminded me of my professor’s passion for teaching about a mass genocide that left the world emotionally devastated. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” suggested, dramatic monologues elevate bold medieval epics. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using a spectacular screenplay, Vanderbilt honours a frightening mass genocide which came with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Russell Crowe delivers one of the best performances of his career as Hermann Gorring. Crowe achieved recognition for playing ancient Roman gladiators in commemorated medieval epics. With “Nuremberg”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a despicable Nazi commander that faced trials in history, but he succeeds tremendously. Evoking Christoph Waltz in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds”, Crowe embodies an inglorious Nazi commander facing obstacles that are dangerous. With mesmerizing expressions, he embodies the angst, desperation and resentments of a Nazi commander facing tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
While the movie is a showcase for Russell Crowe, the supporting cast is outstanding and worthy of appreciation. Rami Malek is remarkable, capturing heroic personality of a psychiatrist seeking to evaluate Nazi criminals that are tragic. Michael Shannon is magnificent, capturing dedication of a lawyer seeking to win a case involving genocide destruction. Lastly, John Slattery merits appreciation. As a military commander, he is unforgettable
Despite it’s extraordinary performances, however, “Nuremberg” can’t quite honour a notorious courtroom case that took place in Nuremberg. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Vanderbilt’s decision to integrate political subplots into the movie is bold but doesn’t entirely succeed. Due to this faulty decision, scenes capturing Hermann Gorring’s political interactions with Nazi commanders are less engaging than his courtroom trial. As Michael Mann’s “The Insider” suggested, political subplots elevate movies about controversial scandals. Moreover, the movie lacks a compelling ending. It’s an ambiguous ending that lacks a satisfying resolution. At worst, it sugarcoats the harsh realities of a mass genocide in history. Therefore, “Nuremberg” can’t quite capture harsh realities of a court trial in Nuremberg.
Nevertheless, fans of historical dramas will definitely appreciate “Nuremberg” and so will movie-goers seeking educational entertainment. A haunting historical drama, it proves Cinema is an art form that can honour genocides of an earlier era.
A towering tribute towards hostile Nazi criminals penalized for crimes committed against humanity in a commemorated courtroom trial, it’s a riveting reminder about the power of movies that can educate audiences about historical events that’s worthwhile.
Nearly 90 years after Nazi war criminals experienced commemorated Nuremberg trials in Germany, it has given me newfound appreciation for a dark moment in history by inspiring me to celebrate a distinguished professor whose lifelong interest in the Holocaust motivated me to turn dreams of film criticism into reality.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 