Judgment at Nuremberg

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Judgment at Nuremberg

1961

3h 6m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

93%

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28 Reviews

93%

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5,000+ Ratings

In 1947, four German judges who served on the bench during the Nazi regime face a military tribunal to answer charges of crimes against humanity. Chief Justice Haywood (Spencer Tracy) hears evidence and testimony not only from lead defendant Ernst Janning (Burt Lancaster) and his defense attorney Hans Rolfe (Maximilian Schell), but also from the widow of a Nazi general (Marlene Dietrich), an idealistic U.S. Army captain (William Shatner) and reluctant witness Irene Wallner (Judy Garland).

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Critics Consensus

Judgment at Nuremberg dramatizes historical atrocity with thoughtfulness and vitality, interrogating complicity and genocide with an all-star cast at the peak of their respective powers.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Tracy delivers a performance of great intelligence and intuition.

Nov 7, 2007

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Chicago Reader

Watchable enough on its own terms, but insufferably glib next to something like Shoah.

Nov 7, 2007

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Time Out

There are no surprises in the direction, and Abby Mann's screenplay plays the expected tunes, but there's enough conviction on display to reward a patient spectator.

Jun 24, 2006

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Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

This film was about the causes and effects of racism that drove Nazi German and how punishment should be served. The coda at the end, should serve as a cautionary note.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 15, 2025

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Stefan Pape

Common Sense Media

Kramer ensures that the viewer is not given an easy ride—and nor should they be—and despite its three-hour runtime, the film remains compelling throughout.

Sep 18, 2024

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Victor Pineyro

Seventh Art Studio

Few 3-hour long court dramas are as compelling and thrilling as Judgement at Nuremberg. A film about injustice and war while portraying hopelessness and double standards. Incredible script, magnificent directing. Full review in Spanish

Rated: 8/10

Apr 8, 2022

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Lars N

It's rare to see a movie this thoughtful about the dilemmas it's trying to tackle. Three hours and not a second to long. It's as relevant today as it was in 1962, now that America is on its way over the fascist cliff. Absolutely gut wrenching and mesmerizing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/20/25

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Hail S

Who am I? Just a girl who loves a classic. Herr Janning - you're not getting off the hook, pal. One of my favourite films ever.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/25

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Isaiah Y

Thoughtful film with too many amazing performances to list

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

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David H

Many will notice disturbing similarities between certain aspects of this film and America in 2025.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

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Jay W

This movie proposes fascinating ethical questions. The movie doesn't claim to have the all the answers, instead it allows the audience to be introspective on the matter. When evil is done, how responsible are those who are 'just doing their jobs'? How long can someone remain willfully ignorant of the evil going on around them? The movie does not rely on a simple strawman to be the bad guy to prove their point. The trial setting allows both sides of the argument to be presented. The acting, cinematography and script are all finely tuned to provide top notch presentation. It is a story where judges judge judges. Is this movie that good? I will have you be the judge of that.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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Alain E

This thing has not aged well. You can hate nazism without having to condone the heavy handed presentation of the Nurenburg trials in this movie. Spencer Tracy still comes along as a sympathetic figure. Same with the chief prosecutor. I doubt whether in reality the defense was allowed to delve on nonessential elements when questioning witnesses. On Tubi.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

Full Review

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Stanley Kramer

Director

Spencer Tracy

Chief Judge Dan Haywood

Burt Lancaster

Dr. Ernst Janning

Richard Widmark

Colonel Tad Lawson

Marlene Dietrich

Mrs. Bertholt

Maximilian Schell

Hans Rolfe

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Synopsis

In 1947, four German judges who served on the bench during the Nazi regime face a military tribunal to answer charges of crimes against humanity. Chief Justice Haywood (Spencer Tracy) hears evidence and testimony not only from lead defendant Ernst Janning (Burt Lancaster) and his defense attorney Hans Rolfe (Maximilian Schell), but also from the widow of a Nazi general (Marlene Dietrich), an idealistic U.S. Army captain (William Shatner) and reluctant witness Irene Wallner (Judy Garland).

Director: Stanley Kramer
Producer: Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter: Abby Mann
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Roxlom Films Inc.
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1961, Original
Release Date (DVD): Sep 14, 2004
Runtime: 3h 6m

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