Nuremberg (2025)
Content by Tony Macklin. Originally published on November 9, 2025 @ tonymacklin.net.
In an age of posturing amorality, Nuremberg is an important release. Even if you have no concern with politics, Nuremberg is worth seeing for the performance of Russell Crowe as Hermann Goring, Hitler's 2nd-in- command in World War 2.
Crowe stayed with the independent project by writer/director James Vanderbilt for 13 years. Crowe is the talented bulwark of the film. He even learned to speak articulate German for the film.
In Nuremberg, Crowe shows he is still one of the best, most committed actors of his generation.
Crowe is able to humanize Goring despite his obvious evil. After making the film, Crowe spoke about what he learned, and warned that human nature can turn dark at any time.
Nuremberg features the battle of wits between Goring and psychiatrist Lt. Col.Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek). Kelley interviews those German officers to see whether they are mentally competent to stand trial. Kelley says, "What if we could dissect evil?"
Nuremberg also focuses on the movement to create the first international tribunal. Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson (Michael Shannon) participates in the effort.
Crowe portrays Goring as nimble, slippery and sly. He has deceptive charisma. Malek holds his own as the ambitious, vulnerable psychiatrist.
Leo Woodhall as the translator also learned German for the film. John Slattery is a bit hammy as the prison's commandant.
Vanderbilt is an able director and writer (writer of Zodiak 2007).
At times Nuremberg loses its urgency. But Crowe brings it back.
He takes us beyond the face of evil.
