Nuremberg, the latest historical drama centered on the aftermath of the Second World War, offers a careful, informative, and largely conventional retelling of the Nuremberg Trials through a fictionalised lens. While not especially inventive in its filmmaking, the movie provides a compelling exploration of the psychological battle between Nazi officials and the American officers assigned to evaluate them.
A Story Told Through the Eyes of a Psychiatrist
The film follows Douglas Kelley, played by Rami Malek, a US Army psychiatrist tasked with assessing the mental state of top Nazi defendants held for trial — most notably Hermann Göring. The narrative revolves around a tense psychological duel between Kelley and Göring, as both men attempt to outmaneuver one another within the fragile psychiatrist-patient dynamic.
Adapted from Historical Sources
Written and directed by James Vanderbilt, the film draws on Jack El-Hai’s non-fiction book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist. While it remains unclear how closely the film adheres to historical accuracy, Nuremberg gives the impression of thorough research. At the same time, it occasionally indulges in dramatic embellishments, including Kelley’s unrealistic flirtation with a young Englishwoman or a theatrically staged moment involving US prosecutor Robert Jackson and Pope Pius XII.
Standout Performances
Russell Crowe delivers one of the film’s strongest elements with his portrayal of Hermann Göring. Crowe presents him as charming on the surface but unmistakably arrogant, manipulative, and morally hollow beneath. His nuanced performance captures the duality of Göring’s personality as both a charismatic leader and a ruthless ideologue.
Malek’s performance, marked by his characteristic eccentricity, may be divisive, yet it provides a distinct interpretation of Kelley. Supporting roles from John Slattery, Richard E. Grant, and Michael Shannon further ground the film, with Shannon embodying imposing moral authority as prosecutor Robert Jackson. Leo Woodall particularly stands out in a smaller but emotionally significant role.
A Serious Film with Familiar Limitations
The film concludes with a modern reminder about the persistence of fascist ideologies, a message timely but delivered with a heavy hand. Overall, Nuremberg fits squarely into traditional awards-season historical drama: serious, respectful, and well-acted — yet stylistically conservative and somewhat heavy in execution.
While not a groundbreaking film, Nuremberg succeeds as an accessible, thoughtful portrayal of one of history’s most consequential trials, anchored by Russell Crowe’s compelling performance.
