Nuremberg

Based on Joseph E. Persico's acclaimed book Nuremberg: Infamy on Trial, and featuring moments taken directly from testimony during the world famous trial of 21 members of the Nazi high command just after the conclusion of World War II, Nuremberg not only dramatically recreates a historically significant moment in history, but does so in a highly compelling, patient and finely nuanced way extremely rare in large historical productions. Alec Baldwin plays prosecutor Robert Jackson, who overcomes self-doubt to lead the trial of the century, while Brian Cox as Hermann Goering is matched in seductive villainy only by F. Murray Abraham's Saliere in Amadeus. In a universe of studied and compelling characterization, none stands out as highly as that of Matt Craven's Captain Gilbert, the army psychologist assigned to assess the suicide risk of the prisoners, struggling to hold his Jewish outrage in check as he comes face to face with an utter absence of empathy in his charges' souls. Humanizing the Third Reich without excusing its crimes, this frightening, poignant courtroom drama is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Ray)