NINETOES VS. NUREMBERG

Ninetoes watched a movie about a famous trial we think too many people haven’t watched…and should.

A WWII psychiatrist evaluates Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg trials, growing increasingly obsessed with understanding evil as he forms a disturbing bond with Hermann Göring.

Directed by James Vanderbilt

Written by James Vanderbilt and Jack El-Hal

Starring Rami Malek, Russel Crowe, and Michael Shannon

Run Time 2 hours 28 minutes

Hey there, movie lovers! It is your old pal, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes HQ. Today, I am taking a look at the historical drama, Nuremberg. I have popcorn in my system and my thinking cap on, so let’s get to it!

History is in my blood. I love to read it. I love to watch it. I. LOVE. HISTORY! The one era of history I love to read about, and study is World War II. My love of World War II history started when I was a kid and listened to my grandfather’s stories of the time he served on the S.S. Cogswell. When I saw the previews for the movie Nuremberg last year, I knew I needed to see it.

Well, I did.

This movie is a powerhouse of a movie. Every scene is a testament to craftmanship. There are three principal characters: Hermann Goring (Russel Crowe), Dr. Robert Kelley (Rami Malek), and Justice Robert H. Jackson (Michael Shannon). The movie starts with Goering surrendering himself after the war is over. He is second to Hitler in the Nazi High Command, meaning if Hitler dies, he is the one in charge. Dr. Robert Kelley is brought in by the United States Army to learn all he can about Goring. Kelley also wants to understand the nature of evil, and he wants to write a book about it. Justice Robert H. Jackson is the man who will try Hermann Goring for atrocities committed during the war. This has never been done before. The world will ne watching, and if he does not make his case, the Nazis can come away looking like heroes. The stakes have never been higher. The trial will be held in the bombed-out city of Nuremberg. There is one building standing that needs minimal repairs, and the courtroom will be set, with so many lights that people will be given sunglasses.

Twenty-Two members of the Nazi High Command were either captured or they gave themselves up. Twenty-two cells were filled. The cells were designed to make it close to impossible to commit suicide. Close, but not definite. Goring is the key. Let the trial begin.

The acting in this movie was phenomenal. There is no other word for it, and in my honest opinion, it is a crime that no one from this movie was at least nominated for an Academy Award. The truest test for an actor’s talent is that you do not watch and say that is X playing Y. This movie achieved it across the board! Each and every actor went beyond their A-game and delivered stellar performances. This movie is a Master Class in acting.

The story is based on the book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Göring, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WWII by Jack El-Hai. I have not read it…yet, but it is in my to-be-read list this year. From what I can tell, this movie is very close to historical accuracy. It is hard to tell if there are any moments where Hollywood took over and said, “Make this more sensational.” This is a hard story to do that with. There is one scene in the movie where everyone in the courtroom watches a movie of what was discovered at the concentration camps. It is the first time that the world saw what happened, and it is a gut punch. Actual film footage from the time was used in this scene, and a statement was made in the most powerful way.

Nuremberg is movie-making at its best. In my opinion, it is movie-making perfection and has made it to my top five list of best movies of ALL TIME. It is perfect for history buffs, drama lovers, and movie lovers.

I give Nuremberg 5+ popcorn buckets out of 5!

Darren “Ninetoes” Perdue is a book and media reviewer. When he is not reading, he is watching true crime shows, cooking for his family, or working on a plan for universal domination. If you see him on his porch, say hi. He does not bite…much.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.