Nuremberg

Using newsreel and other footage, this film documents the hearings held in Nuremberg, Germany, by the International Military Tribunal, during which twenty-one Nazi war criminals and six organizations were judged: The hearings begin on 21 November 1945 with an opening statement by the American prosecutor, justice Robert H. Jackson. The Americans present the evidence for Count One against the defendants: that they participated in "a common plan or conspiracy to commit crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity." The Americans then argue that Adolf Hitler and his followers believed that the "master race" was entitled to control or eliminate "inferiors," and testimony is heard regarding actions of the defendants during Hitler's rise to power. A film reprising the history of Germany's aggression up to time of the signing of the Munich Pact is shown to the tribunal. Sir Hartley Shawcross of the United Kingdom then presents Count Two: that the defendants participated in "the planning, preparation, initiation and waging of wars of aggression, which were also wars in violation of international treaties, agreements and assurances." The testimony now follows the history of the war from the invasion of Poland to the signing of the Axis Pact in 1941, which divides the world into spheres of influence. In Jun 1941, the Nazis invade the U.S.S.R. without a declaration of war and send the Luftwaffe against Britain. Now, General Roman Rudenko of the U.S.S.R. and Henri de Vabres Donnedieu of France present Count Three: that all the defendants committed "war crimes in Germany and in all countries occupied by Germany." Footage of the concentration camps where six million people died, mass executions and mass graves is shown in the courtroom. Testimony is heard regarding the terrible conditions in prisoner of war camps, the mass murders of Poles and the complete destruction of Lidice, Czechoslovakia in retaliation for the assassination of an S.S. leader. Rudolf Hess testifies about his command at Auschwitz, where two-and-a-half million people were killed and another half-million died from starvation and disease. He claims to remember nothing about his Nazi past and when not testifying, reads a book. Next, the U.S.S.R. and France present Count Four: that all defendants committed "crimes against humanity including murder and persecution of all people opposed to the Nazi party." Witnesses testify that people from conquered countries were enslaved, exploited and deported, and that foreign goods were stolen and taken to Germany. Hess describes the Nazi policy toward Jews arriving in concentration camps. Scenes of emaciated bodies are shown, as is footage showing piles of gold looted from the bodies. After all prosecution evidence is presented, the defense begins. Sixty-one witnesses and many thousands affidavits are presented. Some of the attorneys make blanket denials of guilt on behalf of their clients. Others lead their clients through carefully prepared defense statements. During cross-examination, many of the defendants disclaim knowledge of the various crimes. Several of the defendants make final statements. Hans Frank admits to feelings of guilt. Walther Funk states that he experienced a nervous breakdown after hearing the evidence against him. After summation speeches on both sides, the verdict is declared by Lord Justice Geoffrey Lawrence, on 1 Oct 1946. The entire S.S., the Gestapo and the Corps of the Political Leaders of the Nazi Party are found guilty, but the General Staff and High Command of the German Armed Forces, the S.A. and the Reich cabinet are acquitted. Among the individuals charged, Hermann Göring, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Wilhelm Keitel, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, Alfred Rosenberg, Hans Frank, Wilhelm Frick, Julius Streicher, Fritz Sauckel, Alfred Jodl, and Arthur Seyss-Inquart are sentenced to death by hanging. Hess, Funk and Erich Raeder receive life in prison, and Karl Doenitz, Balder von Schirach, Albert Speer and Constantin von Neurath also receive prison terms. Hjalmar Schacht, Hans Fritzche and Franz von Papen are released. Martin Bormann, reportedly killed by an Allied mortar shell, is tried in absentia and is sentenced to death by hanging. Göring commits suicide while awaiting execution. In a closing written statement, Jackson states, "This trial is part of the great effort to make the peace more secure....It constitutes judicial action of a kind to ensure that those who start a war will pay for it personally."