From the portentious narration that accompanies the opening film clips to everyone's tendency to speechify, this is nothing if not earnest stuff. Thank heaven for George Grizzard's humor and restraint as a homespun judge. Maximilian Schell's just fine until he starts gobbling the scenery. Michael Mastro's mentally-challenged witness will likely cause debate, but it's a strong and fascinating acting choice. Nice work, too, from Robert Foxworth, Peter Francis James and a charming Marthe Keller.
Miscues include a terrible father-daughter scene between Schell and Kellie Overbey and concentration camp film footage that's unwatchable not because it's horrifying but because it's projected on a obscuring backdrop. A generally absorbing drama, yet never as gripping as the movie.
