New Film ‘Nuremberg’ Spotlights 1946 Trials and Key Nazi Figure Hermann Göring

A new film starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek brings fresh attention to the historic Nuremberg trials and the role of Nazi leader Hermann Göring, 80 years after the landmark legal proceedings established international law regarding war crimes.

Hermann Göring was a central architect of the Nazi regime, directly involved in the persecution of Jews, the establishment of concentration camps, and the implementation of forced labor. He authorized Reinhard Heydrich in 1941 to develop a plan for the “total solution of the Jewish question in the German sphere of influence in Europe,” according to historical records. Prior to his political career, Göring was a decorated fighter pilot during World War I, commanding the famed “Flying Circus” squadron and claiming 22 Allied aircraft shot down.

The film, directed by James Vanderbilt, depicts the 1946 Nuremberg trials, a series of military tribunals held by the Allied powers – the U.S., France, the UK, and the Soviet Union – to prosecute prominent Nazi leaders for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace. The trials aimed to hold individuals accountable for atrocities committed during World War II and established precedents for international criminal justice that continue to influence legal frameworks today. Crowe portrays Göring, while Malek plays Douglas Kelly, a psychiatrist tasked with understanding the motivations of the Nazi leader, a process that also leads to self-reflection. You can learn more about the historical context of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The film explores the complexities of justice and morality, even within the context of unimaginable evil. Officials involved with the production have stated the film aims to move beyond simple courtroom drama to examine the human cost of the conflict and the psychological weight of bearing witness to such atrocities. The film is expected to spark renewed discussion about the importance of remembering the Holocaust and preventing future genocides, as detailed in this History.com article.

The film is currently in post-production, with a release date yet to be announced.