Compulsion

I'm a big fan of this movie. A nice addition to my collection

I had just finished reading a book on the famous Leopold and Loeb murder case, and decided to see the movie based on the incident. While the names were changed for the movie, the facts of the actual case were used as the background. While the movie didn't show the murder of Bobby Franks, one has to remember when the film was made, in the 50s, at a time when those things weren't shown it movies. But you get the idea, and the movie covers them well. It is pretty true to the actual facts, and I enjoyed it.

Say what you will about the story. It has it's ups and downs and may not be considered a classic, but Orson Welles does manage to grab your attention and not let go of it. Unfortunately he doesn't appear until the third act of the film. Some of the acting, frankly a lot of the acting before he shows up is a little over the top. Dramatic with a huge capital D. But it's still a great story nonetheless. Now for the transfer. Magnificent! It's never looked better and this film really deserves the treatment it got. Kino Lorber has a spotty record of quality when it comes to a lot of their classic film releases. This blu-ray isn't one of them. I highly recommend it.

The unspoken word in Hollywood is not to see great Wells films yet although the exception of certain great actors. Wells gives 30 minutes of himself in the third act of this unforgettable drama with a twist.

Based on the case of Leopold and Leobe, the film recounts the the case that stunned the nation. Who murdered a young child? We see two rather intelligent college aged men, one more dominant in their friendship than the other, who try to get away with the perfect murder. Intellectual arrogance, legal maneuvering, the impact of wealth on the judicial system, and a strange love affair are all in the mix here. So did they get away with the perfect murder? Get the movie and find out. By the way, some great acting here....Orson Wells in one of his best performances. There will be other actors that you will easily recognize as well. Interesting, because you will know more than the law in this one.

If we choose the death penalty to punish murderers, are we murderers, too?The lawyer for the defense (Orson Welles) makes a brilliant, riveting argument againstthe death penalty. That alone makes the movie worth watching.The murderers may seem to deserve the death penalty but as layers of psychologicalproblems are revealed, the viewers' convictions may be shaken.The script makes us see that none of us may be as bad or as good as the way wethink we present ourselves.

This old movie is very good. So many of the new movies of the 2000's are lacking, so I collect older films and this is a great one. It's the true life story of real life killers Leopold and Loeb. The characters in the movie have different names but the story is almost verbatim as the real life crime committed years ago and a trial that was at the time called the crime of the century. This film has a superior cast of actors and a very interesting look into crime, punishment and society in America. I highly recommend this DVD.

Flat, bowdlerized 1950s take reminiscent of 1980s TV-movie treatment. Please don't, except as a "How-not-To".

Absolutely superb true crime story, with the best acting you can hope to find, based on the Leopold-Loeb murder of the 1920's. Two brilliant young men, bored sons of Chicago millionaires, attempt to commit the perfect murder. Great study of two co-dependent sociopaths, where they trip up, and how one of America's greatest lawyers defends them. Dean Stockwell and Orson Welles are simply brilliant !!

I saw this film when it came out way back in the 50s, I thought it was good thenand still think so now. It was like Alfred Hitchcock's film "Rope", but better.Not for every-one, as it is not like films that are made to-day.

Excellent retelling of true story. Oustanding performance by Dean Stockwell.

Great film for it's year by the same director who made 10 Rillington Place, hard hitting and the cast all put in good performances, well worth buying!!!!

Enjoyable film.