Law Not War: Ben Ferencz's Fight for Justice

In the realm of jurisprudence, Benjamin Ferencz is truly an icon. Ferencz is the last surviving chief prosecutor from the Nuremberg Trials and a primary force in the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). At 95, he shows no signs of slowing down—at least not during this documentary by filmmaker Ullabritt Horn that chronicles his remarkable life and career. Born in Romania, Ferencz's family fled anti-Semitic persecution, arriving in New York City when he was 10 months old. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he served in the U.S. Army and was tapped to participate as a prosecutor in the Nuremberg Trials following his discharge. His first case centered on the prosecution of 22 men who were among those responsible for the mass killings during the Holocaust. All were convicted, with 14 receiving death sentences (although only four were subsequently executed). While he had a desire to return to private practice, Ferencz realized that the lessons of WWII were not learned by all in the post-war world, which led to his involvement in creating the ICC to handle modern-day crimes against humanity. Throughout, Ferencz comes across as a veritable dynamo, vibrantly speaking and even showing off his physical prowess with a brisk walk around the Lincoln Memorial. A fine celebration of a legal hero, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)