On November 20, 1945, the world gathered in Nuremberg to begin the first international trial of its kind. The next morning, on November 21, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson (portrayed in Nuremberg by Michael Shannon) delivered one of the most consequential speeches in modern history.
“The privilege of opening the first trial in history for crimes against the peace of the world imposes a grave responsibility. The wrongs which we seek to condemn and punish have been so calculated, so malignant and so devastating, that civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored because it cannot survive their being repeated. That four great nations, flushed with victory and stung with injury stay the hand of vengeance and voluntarily submit their captive enemies to the judgment of the law is one of the most significant tributes that Power has ever paid to Reason.”
— Justice Robert H. Jackson, Opening Statement, November 21, 1945
On this anniversary, we pause to reflect on the magnitude of that moment and on the legacy it left not only for our nation but for generations of service members who have spent their lives defending the principles Jackson articulated.
The Allied victory in World War II ended the fighting, but the struggle for justice had only begun. In the wake of the Holocaust, with overwhelming evidence of mass atrocities emerging from the liberated camps, the war’s final front shifted from the battlefield to the courtroom. The new film Nuremberg, now playing in theaters nationwide, vividly portrays this “war after the war,” when a new generation of warriors—lawyers, investigators, and soldiers-turned-prosecutors—took up the mission of holding evil accountable.
Director James Vanderbilt’s Nuremberg brings to life the monumental trials that began on November 20, 1945, and concluded on October 1, 1946. The first trial targeted 22 of the most senior surviving leaders of the Third Reich and established the foundation for modern international law. But the film does more than recount events; it illuminates the human beings who carried out this mission, revealing the moral complexity they faced in the pursuit of justice.
Russell Crowe delivers a chilling, layered performance as Hermann Göring, Hitler’s second-in-command, capturing the ego, charisma, and danger of a man who believed himself untouchable. Rami Malek portrays U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley, whose psychological study of Göring blurs the line between duty and obsession. And Michael Shannon, as Chief Prosecutor Robert H. Jackson, commands the screen with quiet intensity, embodying a pursuit of justice rooted in integrity rather than vengeance.
Vanderbilt’s direction balances historical authenticity with emotional power. The cinematography is stark, the pacing deliberate, and the dialogue grounded in the legal and moral dilemmas that defined the postwar moment. The result is a courtroom drama that transcends the genre. It is both historical chronicle and ethical reckoning.
For military and veteran audiences, Nuremberg will strike a familiar chord. The film’s depiction of discipline, preparation and tactical thinking mirrors the battlefield mindset: improvise, adapt, overcome. The courtroom becomes an extension of the campaign for freedom, where words replace weapons but strategy still determines victory.
The Allied forces won the war, but as Nuremberg reminds us, lawyers and soldiers together won the peace. In the words of The American Legion’s preamble, it remains our duty “to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars.” This unforgettable film does exactly that—honoring those who fought for justice long after the guns fell silent.
“It was an honor to portray a soldier in NUREMBERG, an experience which deepened my appreciation for the men and women who wear the uniform, and for the physical bravery and the moral courage it takes to stand up for justice for victims and survivors, even in the darkest chapters of history. Today and always, thank you for your service.”
— Rami Malek
For the American Legion community, the legacy of Nuremberg is inseparable from the legacy of service. The soldiers, lawyers, and military personnel who carried the mission forward exemplified both courage and restraint—choosing justice over vengeance, and principle over power. On this anniversary, we honor their example and reaffirm the enduring truth Justice Jackson articulated: civilization survives only when we choose to defend it.
The film is well worth seeing, especially as we mark the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials. For more information and tickets please visit: https://nuremberg-film.com/
Author: Jeff Daly
Jeff Daly grew up in Kalamazoo, MI before joining the Marine Corps. After his service he went to the small, private, liberal arts school Kalamazoo College, where he studied Economics and Political Science. Jeff serves The American Legion in several capacities. He is the Department Historian (2025-2026), on the Department Training Committee, and is an instructor for California Legion College. He is junior/immediate past Commander of Hollywood Post 43. He has been a District officer and served two terms as the Department Membership Director. He is also the immediate past President of the National American Legion College Alumni Associate. Outside of the Legion, Jeff serves on the Military Affairs for Los Angeles Local SAG-AFTRA. You can keep up with Jeff's thoughts on veterans issues by subscribing to his podcast. That is hosted at http://anchor.fm/dalydose. From there you can get links to b subscribe on your favorite music & podcast app.
