Having now seen the entire film I can honestly say I have never seen a finer portrayal of a defiant lawyer than Maximilian Schell. Such passion, fire, vehemence and anger. He certainly deserved his Oscar.
My German born mother was 6 when Hitler came to power. She married my American father who was stationed there during the Nuremberg trials. She taught me about the dangers of unquestioning allegiance. I learned about Judgment At Nuremberg from her. I watched in full after her death. No movie ever affected me more. Max Schell became my favorite actor. He was amazingly talented in such an intense role. I learned much about my mother from the film. I feel strongly that this movie should be shown in every highschool. It reaches into the soul and promotes deep critical thinking. At least it did for me. I have seen the film countless times. It is just as relevant today.
Carolyn Argabright I am 66 today, and have watched this film over 100 times. It never gets old, it never get boring, and it's timeless message remains as relevant as the day is was made.
Couldn't agree more. Absolutely sensational. I recall watching this film as a teenager. I'm now 63 and his acting in this film goes down as one of greatest piece of acting.
@ouranso0101. this movie was not conceived. it is a very real story. more REAL than what you see. and unfortunately history is repeating itself. as it always does.
This film...the stellar cast of actors.... I cannot continue. Max Schell won an Oscar, because of the script, direction, and a brilliant performance! I'm out of words.
And with the wealth accrued from the third reich we got the Bush presidents. AT&T, Harriman, Bush, Ford, all funded a fledgling Nazi party as a bulwark against communism
That long steady track movement which went so smooth and added the dramatic factor is one brilliance and the unexpected zoom in end composition finished with zoom out .. pure classic filmmaking
Maximillian Schell is utterly brilliant but also as brillant as it gets...the director Stanley Kramer.the canvas of that particular scene is captivanting.we are a witness of the lack of response and I mean sooner than later is also revealing. A little masterpiece and a lesson to behold.greetings to all from Belgium.
This was not only a BRILLIANT performance by Maximillian Schell, but equally brilliant writing by Abby Mann. This is exactly why Hitler and the Third Reich were able to become as powerful and expansive as they were: the absolute cowardice of the civilized world that turned its collective head. This movie is one of the best EVER made, not only for the magnificent performances by all, but the top-notch script.
China and North Korea as we speak are doing unspeakable horrors on people, and do we care? Not enough of the world does. "Not our problem" they say, or "It's a lesser evil compared to greater ones". Every time we tolerate products from an abusive sweatshop, every time we allow our politicians to build deeper relationships with a government denying basic human rights, every time we shrug off reports shown to the world of tyranny and evil, we are in a way complicit in these atrocities against fellow humans.
The script is brilliant. "It is an easy thing to condemn one man in the dock." "it is easy to condemn the German people to speak of the basic flaw of the German character." Brilliant.
Wow. This movie is great, but this scene... It really leads me to think of what the world needs. Love, peace. And the the way Maximilian S. interprets it is awesome, natural.
If only today's Hollywood made movies that put acting and screenwriting at the top of the list. Of course there is a lot to be said for the level of acting that we saw in this film. I fear we will never see acting of this caliber ever again. I've never had an actor capture my attention the way Schell did in this film.
Oh yes. Max Schell became my favorite actor since I first saw "Judgment At Nuremberg". I also saw him in the same character in 1959's Playhouse 90 on You Tube. Only it was more abbreviated. He is still amazing. But I am happy the movie version is much longer. Every scene is poignant. There is no finer actor in my opinion. He took on very lengthy scenes in the movie. Few movie actors have that level of skill. I also believe Judy Garland and Montgomery Clift gave their greatest performances in the movie. Both bring me to tears each time I watch it. This important movie is timeless. ❤
One of the greatest movies of all time, and one of the MOST deserving Oscar winners in history - Maximilian Schell. Not to mention, the phenomenal acting by the rest of the cast. I would have chosen this film for Best Picture any day over West Side Story - and this, coming from a person who loves musicals. Judgment at Nuremberg was the better film on all levels that year. I haven't felt so tense watching a film since I saw Whiplash.
This entire film should be made widely available here on a forum like UA-cam which reaches so many: the world must never forget the atrocities committed by Hitler's Nazi regime.
+Lemon Drops This movie is great, for sure! But Maximilian Schell deserving Oscar ?! He stole the Oscar! Academy stole the Oscar! Whom? Mr fuckin' Paul Newman! What about him, and magnificent role in The Hustler that year? Where is the Oscar for him? The great, great 'Fast' Eddie Felson! Injustice...
+Haklberi Fin Any other year in the decade, I would've probably given Newman that oscar. But unfortunately the years he tends to give his best, there's usually another actor that delivers an oscar-worthy performance (ex: Gandhi [1982]). It's not because they are better, but because it touches on very important, relevant times in history. In this case, is the Nuremburg trial. As wonderful as "The Hustler" is, it doesn't compete as far as subject matter goes. But, it's still saying a lot that the filmmakers and producers did do extremely turning a movie about pool into a cinematic masterpiece. That is really something either way!
This is a fantastic moment in the film which I am grateful to you for posting. It is brilliantly acted and more importantly the sentiments expressed are correct.
These clips are outstanding! But if you haven't, do yourself a favor and watch the entire movie because it is ALL great acting and a good message. It is like 3 hours long, but keeps you gripped with the drama the whole way. Great movie and holds up well despite being 60 years old now.
As much as I love " WSS", I too MUST say, Judgment At Nuremburg is also an all-time classic film, & deserved " Best Picture". Why ? Because of the subject matter--because there is not one mediocre performance ---because Max Schell , Spencer Tracy , Et Al were so riveting ---& most of all because we must never forget --ever --& this film is among those classics that will always be there to remind us . Never--ever, forget. EVER. EVER! Wolfsky9, almost 69 y/o
Absolutely. Winston Churchill also rejected peace offers from Germany. The British allied with the Soviet Union out of convenience, not principle. Britain also invaded neutral countries (Iceland and Norway). Britain firebombed major German cities like Hamburg. The Americans profited off of both sides and decided to pick a side when the other side committed a grave error. The Americans and Canadian incarcerated several innocent Japanese as well as some innocent Germans and Italians. Let’s not kid ourselves. All sides committed horrible acts against each other. And let’s not forget, the reason why World War II started was because because of Germany forcing to concede a lot of territory, most of her navy, shrinking her army to 100,000 men, no Air Force, and loss of empire. If the Central Powers had won World War I, who is to say France (for example) would not have wanted revenge? Moral of the story? No country was innocent in World War I or World War II. All have blood on their hands.
What strikes me about Schell‘s acting here is that he is being so emotional and at the same time he does not appear to lose control over himself (and neither is he trying to convey the impression of someone who does). At every moment he is in complete command of the situation. As most people do lose control when they get emotional this feels alien and even slightly frightening. A truly moving performance.
As he watched Maximilian Schell shooting a long scene Spencer Tracy told Richard Widmark that Schell would walk away with the Oscar. He rightly won it.
You got fooled by the director. Thats one of the points of the movie, that the defence and convinces you, the audience, that Germany wasn’t that bad after all. Just as A.H. was a smooth talker convincing all of Germany Then the director answers this tnrough the character of Ernst, who calls out the defence “raising the Spector”
Except, as the ultimate judgement says: "we believe the men in the dock were responsible for their own actions" You can point to the ulterior agenda of others as an excuse. But nothing takes away from the fact that you participated in an evil project and deserve JUDGEMENT.
I rem how our parents made us watch the news (wh was 15 mins then) to learn how ppl spoke properly. Nowadays ppl even swear on the news shows. They go on for hours. And none of them would teach children how to do anything properly. If the journalists can't get the words right, what can we expect of the entertainment industry?
Schell's character presents such a good argument here against judging Germany and Germany alone. Look at the My Lai massacre. The lessons of the Stanford Prison Experiment and the Milgram Experiment. The Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse. It's so easy for us to judge from afar. To think "that could never happen in America," even as it does. It's far too easy for any one group or person unchecked to abuse power. What is the statement? "Absolute power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." It just seems an unfortunate law of the universe, of biology and evolution, that the strong tend to win and be able to oppress the weak.
I feel…so stupid for only knowing Maximillian Schell in John Carpenter’s Vampires! Tonight I traveled down the UA-cam “rabbit hole” and discovered there was more to this man than being an “eternal life-hungry priest!” This movie shall be next on my “must-watch” list!!! I am too freakin’ stunned watching this!
Schell was born in Austria and his family fled to Switzerland in 1938 after Germany annexed Austria. He was only 8 and as an adult he later returned to Germany to continue his academic studies. His character in this movie would've grown up during the war and witnessed the disaster brought about by the connivance or acquiesce of his parents' and grandparents' generations with Nazism. Herr Rolfe is trying to forge a new Germany that his blameless generation can lead. But he knows that Germany can never regain a place in the world if the German people are to be eternally blamed, generation after generation, for the Nazis. That's where I think his real passion is in this movie, not necessarily with his client, but with the future of his country. It's a brilliant piece of acting and only a Germanic actor could've done it with any credibility.
Whether you agree with what happened with Hitler and the Nazi's, something can be said about this scene with Hans Rolfe about the World's responsibility, and then condemning them and the German People.
Anytime he says "1938 your honor", I can't help but think about his mistake in the Playhouse 90 version (available on youtube) which was live and in which he said "1939 your honor!". He blamed himself afterwards haha
I remember watching this great movie on television at some point in the 1990s with my family and my grandfather was falling asleep the whole time. During this scene, he starting passing gas and we all started laughing. He let out a real loud one and everyone burst out laughing. He woke up and asked why we were laughing at the movie!
The part itself (speech) deserved the Oscar and should be heard more often in schools in most countries since they have to share the blame for turning a blind eye to Hitler`s ambitions and astrocities. Maxmillian Schell did do a great job indeed.
This movie is so chilling, because it reminds us of the extent of the crimes and the complicity of the Germans and yet basically they were allowed to get away with it.
unless we defeat Trump. we are going to be going through this ourselves. is that what we AMERICANS want for our future. PROJECT 2025 IN ACTION. seriously think about it. DO NOT BE BLIND to what's going on around us today.
Excellent acting, but what Schell's character say's is true. Nobody is exactly innocent, because War is the result of a failure of rational reasoning, and sadly the misuse of Power
A question that has bothered me for decades, never finding an answer. Why didn't Great Britain and France declare war on the Soviet Union, when it invaded Poland on September 17, 1939?
Um. Germany invaded Poland. The Soviet Union was on the Allied side, you ignorant person. In fact, if it hadn't been for the USSR destroying Hitler's armies in the east, D-Day would have failed. We owe the Soviets for that one.
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed between Germany and USSR in 1939, it was a pact of non-aggression dividing Poland between them. Stalin had a breakdown when Hitler invaded USSR because he never believed Hitler would turn against him. He thought his generals were lying to him about the invasion. It’s true, look it up. And don’t be an ass to other people who mean you no harm.
And, let us not forget the equally spectacular "For Love of Country" speech by Burt Lancaster which immediately preceded this speech by Max Schell. BL really exceeded himself that time: ua-cam.com/video/xGfHkdR3tXs/v-deo.html
One thing that needs to be pointed out that I think the film overlooks: Hitler was elected Chancellor with only 33% of the German vote. This was because he was still the highest vote- getter in the election. In Berlin....which absorbed so much devastation and retribution bombings from the Allies...only 15% voted for him! The Bavarians voted at the highest rates for him. In other words: A large majority of the German populace preferred someone else to Hitler. But once he was in power...the German people are very obedient to laws and regulations of the state and are NOT of the type of culture that does not comply to such laws and regulations. Is this a flaw in National character? That they are obedient and law-observing people? You can ask the same about Russians today and Putin. They are stuck with him....and have no way to get rid of him. DO NOT EQUATE THE PEOPLE WITH THEIR DICTATORS! It is a very unfair and misguided theory that this film promotes.
It should be noted that Maximilian Schell has been accused of being a sexual predator by his own niece and own daughter, both claiming that he raped them.
True the guilt of Stalin for letting the Nazi in using Poland as a backdoor. True the guilt of Roosevelt for not acting immediately but not the guilt of churchill. Remember he is alone in the first years of war.
The German character is to blame. When your culture is based in war and order it allows Hitler to rise. Also, when you are on the losing side of a war you must take on the guilt. The Allies do not have to feel the same guilt that Germany felt. Just as in Vietnam the US deserves to feel guilt and shame because they lost.
I saw Maxmillion
Schell in person,
In Henry Jaglom's office, what a kind man, he smiled
at me it felt great
Maximilian Schell and Burt Lancaster was simply brilliant in this movie. You will never have movies like this again
That's the shame of it.
Having now seen the entire film I can honestly say I have never seen a finer portrayal of a defiant lawyer than Maximilian Schell. Such passion, fire, vehemence and anger. He certainly deserved his Oscar.
Wаtссch Judgment аt Nurembеrg оnlinе herе => twitter.com/e88ef449cbee844eb/status/822782774192939008 Мaaаaхimilian Sсcсchеll in Judgmеnt аааt Nurеmbееееrg Wооrld s Guilt
I agree completely. He is absolutely mesmerising.
Colin Sweeney. He totally takes over the courtroom!
He was a brilliant actor.
My German born mother was 6 when Hitler came to power. She married my American father who was stationed there during the Nuremberg trials.
She taught me about the dangers of unquestioning allegiance.
I learned about Judgment At Nuremberg from her. I watched in full after her death. No movie ever affected me more.
Max Schell became my favorite actor. He was amazingly talented in such an intense role. I learned much about my mother from the film. I feel strongly that this movie should be shown in every highschool. It reaches into the soul and promotes deep critical thinking. At least it did for me. I have seen the film countless times. It is just as relevant today.
I wish films of this caliber were still being made today instead of the cinematic comic books that dominate the movie industry.
They are, if you look for them. They just don’t make as much money, or are hard to advertise.
You have to look for them. You have to look beyond all that noise created by aggressive marketing campaigns.
yes! actors had talent and character.
Trust me there are other propaganda films just like this being made every day
2 words for you: get busy!
Schell, Garland, Lancaster and Clift. Some of the finest acting in movie history. They all deserved oscars.
sosidecop64
Amen, brother. Amen.
tiffsaver I second that Amen; very powerful, statement.
Carolyn Argabright
I am 66 today, and have watched this film over 100 times. It never gets old, it never get boring, and it's timeless message remains as relevant as the day is was made.
Finallyy I've foound full Judgment at Nurembeeerg movie here => twitter.com/29ec418b7a7232f4d/status/822782774192939008
My thinking exactly....they each deserved an Oscar!
jaw dropping scene by Maximilian Schell. perhaps the greatest bit of acting ever seen.
Hell, he was like a German version of Johnnie Cochrane!!!!
Couldn't agree more. Absolutely sensational. I recall watching this film as a teenager. I'm now 63 and his acting in this film goes down as one of greatest piece of acting.
Yes. Brilliant.
A magnificent performance by Max Schell in one of the most powerful and hard-hitting dramas in cinematic history. Rest in peace, Mr. Schell.
This movie is by far one of the best ones that has ever been made. This is something that should be viewed by everyone and every child in the world.
you are exactly right.
+milky1234123 ZEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO VATCH IT UNTIL ZE MESSAGE IST TOTALLY INGRAINED
I'm teasing, I know that's not what you meant.
yeah
Yоu cсссan wаtсh Judgment at Nurеmbеrg hеre twitter.com/4b35b25fbf1743e23/status/822782774192939008 MМMMaхimilian Schеll in Judgmеnt аt Nurеmbеrg Wоrld s Guilt
+milky1234123
Amen.
this scene won Mr. Schell the Oscar.
The best scene by an actor I've ever seen. Phenomenal.
👍👍👍❤
The greatest portrayal of a defense attorney in cinema history!
Defending the indefensible!
@@JuricksEnterprise . Perhaps, but you just got to love the way he takes over the courtroom!
Truly one of the most important films ever conceived.
@ouranso0101. this movie was not conceived. it is a very real story. more REAL than what you see. and unfortunately history is repeating itself. as it always does.
This film...the stellar cast of actors.... I cannot continue. Max Schell won an Oscar, because of the script, direction, and a brilliant performance! I'm out of words.
one of the greatest speeches on film. It really makes you stop and think
Rene L. It sure in hell does!
And with the wealth accrued from the third reich we got the Bush presidents. AT&T, Harriman, Bush, Ford, all funded a fledgling Nazi party as a bulwark against communism
That long steady track movement which went so smooth and added the dramatic factor is one brilliance and the unexpected zoom in end composition finished with zoom out .. pure classic filmmaking
The direction and cinematography here is sublime
In the light of current events this film must be watched by all! Seeing it now is frightening.
Maximillian Schell is utterly brilliant but also as brillant as it gets...the director Stanley Kramer.the canvas of that particular scene is captivanting.we are a witness of the lack of response and I mean sooner than later is also revealing. A little masterpiece and a lesson to behold.greetings to all from Belgium.
Love at the beginning how he's about to read his case, then decides "Fuck it" takes off his glasses and goes off script.
Love the body language at the end between the judge and the American prosecutor..
"Do you have a response to that?"
"No.."
This was not only a BRILLIANT performance by Maximillian Schell, but equally brilliant writing by Abby Mann. This is exactly why Hitler and the Third Reich were able to become as powerful and expansive as they were: the absolute cowardice of the civilized world that turned its collective head. This movie is one of the best EVER made, not only for the magnificent performances by all, but the top-notch script.
I agree. And it's happening today. Rwanda is a notable example.
And we now see it happening all over again.
China and North Korea as we speak are doing unspeakable horrors on people, and do we care? Not enough of the world does. "Not our problem" they say, or "It's a lesser evil compared to greater ones". Every time we tolerate products from an abusive sweatshop, every time we allow our politicians to build deeper relationships with a government denying basic human rights, every time we shrug off reports shown to the world of tyranny and evil, we are in a way complicit in these atrocities against fellow humans.
Agreed!
Agreed!
The script is brilliant. "It is an easy thing to condemn one man in the dock." "it is easy to condemn the German people to speak of the basic flaw of the German character."
Brilliant.
@@donovanhoover7265 No, dock. The prisoner sits in the dock in the courtroom.
@@carolynzaremba5469 really? I learned something today thank you!
Dark
It is dock. i just verified it on the American Rhetoric website.
Nothing justifies the actions of the members of the Nazi
movement and
Atrocious behaviour to their fellow man
Wow. This movie is great, but this scene... It really leads me to think of what the world needs. Love, peace. And the the way Maximilian S. interprets it is awesome, natural.
If only today's Hollywood made movies that put acting and screenwriting at the top of the list. Of course there is a lot to be said for the level of acting that we saw in this film. I fear we will never see acting of this caliber ever again. I've never had an actor capture my attention the way Schell did in this film.
No, acting like this is not seen anymore.
Oh yes. Max Schell became my favorite actor since I first saw "Judgment At Nuremberg". I also saw him in the same character in 1959's Playhouse 90 on You Tube. Only it was more abbreviated. He is still amazing. But I am happy the movie version is much longer. Every scene is poignant. There is no finer actor in my opinion. He took on very lengthy scenes in the movie. Few movie actors have that level of skill. I also believe Judy Garland and Montgomery Clift gave their greatest performances in the movie. Both bring me to tears each time I watch it. This important movie is timeless. ❤
Superb script, superb acting.
One of the greatest movies of all time, and one of the MOST deserving Oscar winners in history - Maximilian Schell. Not to mention, the phenomenal acting by the rest of the cast. I would have chosen this film for Best Picture any day over West Side Story - and this, coming from a person who loves musicals.
Judgment at Nuremberg was the better film on all levels that year. I haven't felt so tense watching a film since I saw Whiplash.
This entire film should be made widely available here on a forum like UA-cam which reaches so many: the world must never forget the atrocities committed by Hitler's Nazi regime.
+Lemon Drops This movie is great, for sure! But Maximilian Schell deserving Oscar ?! He stole the Oscar! Academy stole the Oscar! Whom? Mr fuckin' Paul Newman! What about him, and magnificent role in The Hustler that year? Where is the Oscar for him? The great, great 'Fast' Eddie Felson! Injustice...
+Haklberi Fin Any other year in the decade, I would've probably given Newman that oscar. But unfortunately the years he tends to give his best, there's usually another actor that delivers an oscar-worthy performance (ex: Gandhi [1982]).
It's not because they are better, but because it touches on very important, relevant times in history. In this case, is the Nuremburg trial. As wonderful as "The Hustler" is, it doesn't compete as far as subject matter goes. But, it's still saying a lot that the filmmakers and producers did do extremely turning a movie about pool into a cinematic masterpiece. That is really something either way!
Sarcastic Sugar roger that
Reeeallyуyy greeeat movie. I found it heereеee => twitter.com/38e176bb2942dd304/status/850530042660573185
One of the trully great films
I think our leaders need to watch this film and take notes
This goes beyond acting, it’s a masterpiece.
This is a fantastic moment in the film which I am grateful to you for posting. It is brilliantly acted and more importantly the sentiments expressed are correct.
A brilliant performance I have never seen an actor with so much conviction passion and total control.
Amazing performance. The veteran actors knew right then.. they witnessed greatness.
These clips are outstanding! But if you haven't, do yourself a favor and watch the entire movie because it is ALL great acting and a good message. It is like 3 hours long, but keeps you gripped with the drama the whole way. Great movie and holds up well despite being 60 years old now.
I just watched it this weekend.... all I can say say is WOW
Wow....I just cannot think this as just an act. Masterpiece indeed
"Nineteen Thirty Eight"!!!!
As much as I love " WSS", I too MUST say, Judgment At Nuremburg is also an all-time classic film, & deserved " Best Picture". Why ? Because of the subject matter--because there is not one mediocre performance ---because Max Schell , Spencer Tracy , Et Al were so riveting ---& most of all because we must never forget --ever --& this film is among those classics that will always be there to remind us . Never--ever, forget. EVER. EVER! Wolfsky9, almost 69 y/o
Well deserved Oscar performance by Maximillian Schell.
Truth. A great acting performance.
Everything Max Schell's character says in this scene is 100% true!!
Absolutely. Winston Churchill also rejected peace offers from Germany. The British allied with the Soviet Union out of convenience, not principle. Britain also invaded neutral countries (Iceland and Norway). Britain firebombed major German cities like Hamburg. The Americans profited off of both sides and decided to pick a side when the other side committed a grave error. The Americans and Canadian incarcerated several innocent Japanese as well as some innocent Germans and Italians. Let’s not kid ourselves. All sides committed horrible acts against each other. And let’s not forget, the reason why World War II started was because because of Germany forcing to concede a lot of territory, most of her navy, shrinking her army to 100,000 men, no Air Force, and loss of empire. If the Central Powers had won World War I, who is to say France (for example) would not have wanted revenge? Moral of the story? No country was innocent in World War I or World War II. All have blood on their hands.
they forgot to nomine the eugenetic politicies of the nazis that were founded by usa and uk
Magnificent scene with Maximilian Schell!
What strikes me about Schell‘s acting here is that he is being so emotional and at the same time he does not appear to lose control over himself (and neither is he trying to convey the impression of someone who does). At every moment he is in complete command of the situation. As most people do lose control when they get emotional this feels alien and even slightly frightening. A truly moving performance.
Brilliant and terrifying work from Maximillian Schell
2:29 the way he said 1938 in a fiery rage... a deserving reason for an Oscar win
This scene sealed the Oscar for Schell, bravo.
The Individualist. He's just like Johnnie Cochrane! He totally takes over the courtroom!!!!!!😄
As he watched Maximilian Schell shooting a long scene Spencer Tracy told Richard Widmark that Schell would walk away with the Oscar. He rightly won it.
One of the most important films of the 20th century
And powerful.
He’s literally not wrong about anything. I’d want him as my lawyer.
He is like a German Johnnie Cochrane!
Agreed Genie.
You got fooled by the director. Thats one of the points of the movie, that the defence and convinces you, the audience, that Germany wasn’t that bad after all. Just as A.H. was a smooth talker convincing all of Germany
Then the director answers this tnrough the character of Ernst, who calls out the defence “raising the Spector”
His argument seems compelling right up until the the oration Spencer Tracy gives when judgments and sentences are handed down.
Except, as the ultimate judgement says: "we believe the men in the dock were responsible for their own actions"
You can point to the ulterior agenda of others as an excuse. But nothing takes away from the fact that you participated in an evil project and deserve JUDGEMENT.
tears in my eyes
He had me so pissed at him in his role What an actor he will be missed
Such a great scene
He won the Academy Award for his performance.
They don't make wonderful films anymore with beautiful dialogue
I rem how our parents made us watch the news (wh was 15 mins then) to learn how ppl spoke properly. Nowadays ppl even swear on the news shows. They go on for hours. And none of them would teach children how to do anything properly. If the journalists can't get the words right, what can we expect of the entertainment industry?
Great acting
What a great performance. He won the Oscar for that
Schell's character presents such a good argument here against judging Germany and Germany alone. Look at the My Lai massacre. The lessons of the Stanford Prison Experiment and the Milgram Experiment. The Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse. It's so easy for us to judge from afar. To think "that could never happen in America," even as it does. It's far too easy for any one group or person unchecked to abuse power. What is the statement? "Absolute power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." It just seems an unfortunate law of the universe, of biology and evolution, that the strong tend to win and be able to oppress the weak.
Superb, unbeatable acting
maybe the best film ever and the most important one - Max Schell is an absolute genius of an actor
The best scene in a very good film.All potential lawyers should watch it.
If Jenning haven't accepted his guilt he would have been saved by this phenomenal lawyer.
I feel…so stupid for only knowing Maximillian Schell in John Carpenter’s Vampires! Tonight I traveled down the UA-cam “rabbit hole” and discovered there was more to this man than being an “eternal life-hungry priest!” This movie shall be next on my “must-watch” list!!! I am too freakin’ stunned watching this!
Schell was born in Austria and his family fled to Switzerland in 1938 after Germany annexed Austria. He was only 8 and as an adult he later returned to Germany to continue his academic studies. His character in this movie would've grown up during the war and witnessed the disaster brought about by the connivance or acquiesce of his parents' and grandparents' generations with Nazism. Herr Rolfe is trying to forge a new Germany that his blameless generation can lead. But he knows that Germany can never regain a place in the world if the German people are to be eternally blamed, generation after generation, for the Nazis. That's where I think his real passion is in this movie, not necessarily with his client, but with the future of his country. It's a brilliant piece of acting and only a Germanic actor could've done it with any credibility.
Well this feels extremely relevant today.
Whether you agree with what happened with Hitler and the Nazi's, something can be said about this scene with Hans Rolfe about the World's responsibility, and then condemning them and the German People.
And all imperialists in all countries.
Anytime he says "1938 your honor", I can't help but think about his mistake in the Playhouse 90 version (available on youtube) which was live and in which he said "1939 your honor!". He blamed himself afterwards haha
Two things about this clip, 1) he did speak the truth on what he said, 2) more acting here in four minutes than a two hour movie today. Real acting.
I remember watching this great movie on television at some point in the 1990s with my family and my grandfather was falling asleep the whole time. During this scene, he starting passing gas and we all started laughing. He let out a real loud one and everyone burst out laughing. He woke up and asked why we were laughing at the movie!
YES!
The part itself (speech) deserved the Oscar and should be heard more often in schools in most countries since they have to share the blame for turning a blind eye to Hitler`s ambitions and astrocities. Maxmillian Schell did do a great job indeed.
This movie is so chilling, because it reminds us of the extent of the crimes and the complicity of the Germans and yet basically they were allowed to get away with it.
Like the United States today. When will we stand up and shout Enough!
and history shall repeat itself
unless we defeat Trump. we are going to be going through this ourselves. is that what we AMERICANS want for our future. PROJECT 2025 IN ACTION. seriously think about it. DO NOT BE BLIND to what's going on around us today.
Christoph Waltz in 1961
Strong argument, it's the best argument defense could make under the circumstances.
Dude made some Goode Points!
True.
Excellent acting, but what Schell's character say's is true. Nobody is exactly innocent, because War is the result of a failure of rational reasoning, and sadly the misuse of Power
I love that line about the vastly overrated Winston Churchill. 1938!!
the collection?
the houdt houdt?
Wow
A question that has bothered me for decades, never finding an answer. Why didn't Great Britain and France declare war on the Soviet Union, when it invaded Poland on September 17, 1939?
Um. Germany invaded Poland. The Soviet Union was on the Allied side, you ignorant person. In fact, if it hadn't been for the USSR destroying Hitler's armies in the east, D-Day would have failed. We owe the Soviets for that one.
When someone asks a legitimate question, just answer it if you have the knowledge; and leave your insulting name calling out of it!!!
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed between Germany and USSR in 1939, it was a pact of non-aggression dividing Poland between them. Stalin had a breakdown when Hitler invaded USSR because he never believed Hitler would turn against him. He thought his generals were lying to him about the invasion. It’s true, look it up. And don’t be an ass to other people who mean you no harm.
And, let us not forget the equally spectacular "For Love of Country" speech by Burt Lancaster which immediately preceded this speech by Max Schell. BL really exceeded himself that time:
ua-cam.com/video/xGfHkdR3tXs/v-deo.html
Nice.
How old is Ben Affleck?
hands down.my words what a delibery
Anyone wanna tell me why his co chair was LBJ?
We're all guilty.
One thing that needs to be pointed out that I think the film overlooks: Hitler was elected Chancellor with only 33% of the German vote. This was because he was still the highest vote- getter in the election. In Berlin....which absorbed so much devastation and retribution bombings from the Allies...only 15% voted for him! The Bavarians voted at the highest rates for him. In other words: A large majority of the German populace preferred someone else to Hitler. But once he was in power...the German people are very obedient to laws and regulations of the state and are NOT of the type of culture that does not comply to such laws and regulations. Is this a flaw in National character? That they are obedient and law-observing people? You can ask the same about Russians today and Putin. They are stuck with him....and have no way to get rid of him. DO NOT EQUATE THE PEOPLE WITH THEIR DICTATORS! It is a very unfair and misguided theory that this film promotes.
Better Call Schell
MAY THE COMPLICIT TODAY MEET WITH THEIR DUE JUSTICE
FREE JULIAN ASSANGE!
I don't know about you, but if some hayseed politician compared me to Maximilian here, I would think it was really cool...
He's not wrong but he commits the fallacy of consequences.
I say his speech is a little Hitleresque. The nah gestures, facial expressions, speaking in low pitch then high pitch
The Birds fly.... in peru die
I just find maxilum is the godfather for Angelina jolie
Try to compare this movie and actors with today crap
It should be noted that Maximilian Schell has been accused of being a sexual predator by his own niece and own daughter, both claiming that he raped them.
Schell yells a lot in this film.
Every time I watch his scene as he is literally screaming at Judy Garland's character; in my view...he sounds and acts just like hitler!!
True the guilt of Stalin for letting the Nazi in using Poland as a backdoor. True the guilt of Roosevelt for not acting immediately but not the guilt of churchill. Remember he is alone in the first years of war.
This could be said about the people who support Trump.
Schell's character is like a German version of Johnnie Cochrane!!!😄
No....he reminded me of hitler; during his persecution like interrogation of Irene Hoffman Warner!
too bad it's designed to program, condition and mind control. Be nice to have TRUTH instead of misdirection and trickery.
The German character is to blame. When your culture is based in war and order it allows Hitler to rise. Also, when you are on the losing side of a war you must take on the guilt. The Allies do not have to feel the same guilt that Germany felt. Just as in Vietnam the US deserves to feel guilt and shame because they lost.