One of the more fascinating moments in "Nuremberg: Its Lesson
for Today," occurs about 15 minutes in. A news documentary that
covers the first in a series of military tribunals held in the
wake of World War II, the film includes the opening statement
from Robert H. Jackson, a Supreme Court justice who was the
chief prosecutor. Though he speaks in measured tones, the words
leave no question as the trial's intent: "The wrongs which we
seek to condemn and punish have been so calculated, so
malignant, so devastating that civilization can not tolerate
their being ignored because it can not survive their being
repeated." And then he narrows his focus. "In the prisoners'
dock sit 20-odd broken men," he says as the camera pans over the
accused. Each wears a pair of headphones that provide a German
translation of the proceedings. Some listen to Jackson's remarks
impassively. At least one sits with his hand over his mouth.
It's not clear if he's disgusted with himself or the notion of
the trial. Two or three hide behin