New Zealander Russell Crowe takes the lead in reprising the role of the rotund figure of Hermann Goering in the film "Nuremberg".
One of the most senior figures in Hitlers Reich, Goering was considered both astute and charming, if unsurprisingly, conceited. A World War I fighter ace, Goering rose to power alongside Hitler. He surrendered at the end of World War II to the allies and was put on trial, at Nuremberg.
This film is a mixed bag. Historically it takes a lot of liberties and could hardly be called "accurate". Notions of the US "winning the war" are pure fantasy, as is the claim they set the stage for the Nuremberg trials, getting other nations to "play along". In truth, the Soviet Union was the most powerful player at the end of World War II. It had a massive army that controlled much of Europe. Funnily enough, their significant role in dealing with the remnants of the Third Reich after its defeat, is downplayed.
There seems too, to be a emphasis on the trials being driven by a need to address the horrific holocaust against the Jews and other groups. That the trials were, in essence, a rebuttal of "anti-Semetism". This is also not especially accurate. The Allies were mostly concerned at that time, with dismantling the remnants of Nazi-ism, placating Stalin, who they not unreasonably feared, might invade all of Europe and imposing some semblance of stability upon the region.
The trials went some way to address the Soviet Unions rage at what Hitler had done to Russia and other regions of the USSR, discredited and removed the key Nazi's still remaining in Germany, whilst providing a bargaining chip with Stalin, so the allies could keep a foot hold in Europe. Yes the Holocaust did play a limited part, in so much as it demonstrated the crimes of the Third Reich and helped condemn its leaders. Its worth noting for anyone doubting this reviewers cynical but honest, take on things, key Nazi scientists, who had used Jewish and other nations people as slave labour, escaped prosecution, in more than a few instances, because of their value to the allies and Soviets.
All that said, I do like Crowes rendition of Goering. Its on target, mixing charm, narcissism and wry humour, the man was known to possess. Its not an easy role either. I have seen past efforts that have felt like wooden, overstated caricatures. Crowe strikes a well measured balance by presenting both the ardent Fascist but also the man.
In summary, "Nuremberg" isn't perfect or even close to it. Its not historically representative but offers up enough interest, especially, in the foreboding but nonetheless fascinating figure, of Hermann Goering, capably acted by Russell Crowe, to merit a look.
