Nuremburg, rated PG-13
*** ½

Nuremburg is a well-acted historical film primarily about the relationship between Hermann Göring, played by Oscar winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator), the highest-ranking surviving Nazi, and American psychiatrist Captain Douglas Kelley, played by Oscar winner Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody). The film was written and directed by James Vanderbilt, and is based on the book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, by Jack El-Hai.
The film’s title refers to the city where representatives of four Allied nations that teamed up to defeat Nazi Germany gathered to put its leaders on trial. Nuremburg picks up after the death of Hitler and the end of World War II. It covers the time before and during the trial of the twenty-one Nazi leaders, including Göring, who was Hitler’s former second in command. The film opens with Göring surrendering to American troops.

***SPOILER ALERT***
Kelley was one of the psychiatrists brought in to counsel the detainees before their trial. Kelley develops a relationship with Göring, delivering letters from Göring to his wife and daughter. He has aims of writing a book about his relationship with Göring. Eventually Kelley uses what  he learns from Göring to help the chief prosecutor Supreme Court associate justice Robert H. Jackson, played by two-time Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals, Revolutionary Road).
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The film features exceptional performances by Crowe and Malik, and features a good supporting cast, including Shannon, Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me), Emmy nominee John Slattery (Mad Men), and Leo Woodhall.
The film features some difficult to watch real-life footage of the emaciated and dead prisoners from Nazi concentration camps. It also includes some adult language, including the abuse of God’s and Jesus’ names.
Nuremburg is a well-acted film, featuring excellent performances by Russell Crowe and Rami Malik. The best scenes in the film are between these two fine actors.