Watch Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz

Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz is a powerful documentary film that tells the story of one of the most remarkable people in the world today, Ben Ferencz. The film examines his life, his work, and his legacy, and provides an insight into the extraordinary world of international justice and the fight against genocide.

Ben Ferencz is a 99-year-old man who is the last surviving prosecutor from the Nuremberg Trials – the historic post-World War II military tribunal that prosecuted the most notorious Nazi war criminals. The film delves into his incredible life journey, from his childhood and family life in New York, to his service during WWII, and ultimately to his role in the Nuremberg Trials.

The documentary utilizes a wealth of archival footage, photographs, and interviews with scholars, officials, and colleagues to provide a thorough and engaging portrait of Ferencz's life and career. The film includes interviews with the likes of Christian Wenaweser, former President of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court; David Scheffer, former US ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues; Alan Dershowitz, a well-known legal scholar; and Don Ferencz, Ben's son and a lawyer who continues his father's legacy.

Prosecuting Evil paints a vivid portrait of Ferencz as a man devoted to justice, fairness, and human dignity. From an early age, Ferencz had a deep sense of justice and a strong opposition to violence. As a young man during WWII, he served in the US Army and was one of the first soldiers to enter a concentration camp. The horrors he witnessed there solidified his belief that "war makes murderers out of otherwise decent people" and sparked his lifelong commitment to fighting for peace and justice.

The film shows how Ferencz's work at the Nuremberg Trials was particularly groundbreaking, as he was one of the first people to advocate for the concept of international criminal law. Ferencz's ambition was not just to punish the individual perpetrators of war crimes, but to establish a fundamentally new legal order that could hold entire states and regimes accountable for their actions. The film also highlights other key moments in Ferencz's career, such as his role in establishing the International Criminal Court and his advocacy for the creation of a permanent international tribunal for genocide.

But while Ferencz's ideals and achievements are inspiring, the film also explores the many challenges and obstacles he encountered along the way. His ideas were often dismissed or ridiculed, particularly during the Cold War, and his vision of a world governed by law rather than war was often met with indifference. He also faced daunting legal challenges, including defending the peaceful use of outer space before the International Court of Justice.

Far from being a dry legal lecture, Prosecuting Evil is a deeply emotional and moving film that is grounded in Ferencz's personal story. Through interviews with Ferencz, his family, and his colleagues, the film reveals the humanity and humor behind the iconic figure of the prosecutor. Ferencz's charm, wit, and warmth are evident throughout the film, from his recollections of his early career as a soap salesman to his descriptions of his plans for a dance party at the next International Criminal Court assembly. His unyielding pursuit of justice is tempered by a deep sense of compassion and a commitment to always seeing the good in people.

Overall, Prosecuting Evil is a thoughtful, engaging, and inspiring film about one of the great figures of our time. The film pays tribute to Ferencz's lifetime of effort and service to the cause of justice and human rights, and provides a powerful reminder of the importance of never giving up on our ideals, no matter how daunting the obstacles.

Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes.