Ep 28. Judgment at Nuremberg

Judgment at Nuremberg is the 28th episode of the third season of Playhouse 90, a television anthology series that aired from 1956 to 1961. The episode originally aired on April 16, 1959, and was based on a screenplay by Abby Mann.

The episode is set in 1948 in Nuremberg, Germany, and revolves around the trial of four judges who served the Nazi regime during World War II. The judges are accused of crimes against humanity, including the sterilization and murder of individuals deemed "unfit" by the Third Reich.

The episode features an all-star cast, including Spencer Tracy as Judge Dan Haywood, a retired American jurist who is appointed to preside over the trial. Other notable cast members include Burt Lancaster as Dr. Ernst Janning, one of the accused judges, Richard Widmark as Colonel Tad Lawson, the American army prosecutor, and Maximilian Schell as Hans Rolfe, Dr. Janning's defender.

The trial takes place in a courtroom that is a recreation of the real Nuremberg Palace of Justice, where the actual Nuremberg Trials were held. The trial is an emotional and complex affair, with the judges' defense attempting to justify their actions under the guise of following orders, while the prosecution argues that they were fully aware of the atrocities they committed.

Throughout the trial, Judge Haywood struggles to remain impartial and objective, as he hears testimonies from witnesses who recount horrific events that took place during the war. He also forms a bond with a German widow (played by Marlene Dietrich) who lost her husband and son to the Nazi regime.

As the trial progresses, the defendants' defense begins to crumble, and they are eventually forced to confront the truth of their actions. The final verdict leaves Judge Haywood with a difficult decision to make, as he must decide whether to impose a just punishment on the guilty or to show mercy towards those who are repentant.

Judgment at Nuremberg is a powerful and thought-provoking episode, which addresses themes of justice, responsibility, and morality during times of war. It is a gripping portrayal of one of the most important trials in history and the human dramas that unfolded in the courtroom. The performances by the all-star cast are exceptional, and the writing by Abby Mann is nuanced and deeply insightful. Overall, Judgment at Nuremberg remains one of the most iconic episodes of Playhouse 90 and a landmark in the history of American television.