The last scene is intriguing

Marlon 2021-12-30 17:21:44

Judge Haywood told Janning, you knew it, when you first convicted an innocent person. It feels that the ending is too abrupt. The tone of the film has always been sympathy for Janning. I have always guessed that Janning will be acquitted, and then I will contribute to the reconstruction of Germany after the war. Why is there a 180° turn in the last minute of the film?
At the same time, I watched "The Reader" and "The Wave" two films related to fascism. The fascist thing has been circling in my mind. It seems that I figured it out recently, but Judge Haywood’s decision was not based on the law but justice.
As a public official of the country, judges make judgments in accordance with the laws enacted by the country. Is this illegal? This is more than illegal, it is simply the only legal practice. What if you are facing a draconian law? Look at the present, whether it is Western developed countries or my country, is there no draconian law? It's just that the amount and the degree of "evil" are different. The judge is the executor of the law and has no power to explain the good and evil of the law. Even the institutions that make laws have no power to interpret the good and evil of the law. In fact, the law has no good and no evil at all. When laws are being formulated, all sectors of society can stand on their own ground and strive to exert influence on future laws, hoping to make them beneficial to them, whether it is economic, political, ethical, scientific, human, or custom. It’s okay to talk, appeal, and pressure from the perspectives of social, environmental, and so on. However, once the law is enacted, whether you approve it or not, it must be unconditionally followed and implemented. To avoid the side effects of the law, it is necessary to rely on justice and wisdom at the time of formulation and proper legal amendment procedures, rather than relying on the superficial law. The law is the law.
There is no legal basis for conviction of Janning (the large amount of evidence and the plot of the debate in the film prove this) has always troubled Judge Haywood. In the end, Judge Haywood sentenced Janning to life imprisonment in the name of justice. From his relieved smile before leaving Germany, it can be seen that he is very satisfied with his sentence, even though the old judge with a perfect resume chose to violate the law in his last sentence. In a confusing era, Janning made his own choice, and Judge Haywood also made his own choice. The merits and demerits are left to future generations to comment on. Is this kind of peace and self-confidence the reason why Judge Haywood breaks the law and enjoys it?

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Extended Reading
  • Charity 2022-03-26 09:01:07

    There is an in-depth reflection on the war, reflecting the attitude of ordinary Germans in the face of the war. The stars have excellent acting skills, and the dramatic conflicts are properly performed. Personally, I feel that the defenders defending the German judges performed a little bit too much.

  • Karson 2021-12-30 17:21:44

    This is almost the greatest court scene ever, much better than the twelve angry men. As an indoor scene, the in-camera scheduling is very good, although I am very insensitive to jerking the scene. The script laid an extremely solid foundation for the film. From the superficial lines to the narrative structure to the deep-level scrutiny of legal ethics and politics, it is all painstaking work. All performances are accurate! It is necessary for Schell to shine, and several supporting roles are also very dazzling.

Judgment at Nuremberg quotes

  • Hans Rolfe: The statement: "My country, right or wrong" was expressed by a great American patriot. It is no less true for a German patriot.

  • Emil Hahn: Today, you sentence me! Tomorrow, the Bolsheviks sentence you!