Compulsion1959
Compulsion (1959)
Compulsion Photos
Movie Info
Watch it now
Cast
as Jonathan Wilk
as Judd Steiner
as Arthur A. Straus
as Ruth Evans
as District Attorney Harold Horn
as Sid Brooks
as Max Steiner
as Tom Daly
as Charles Straus
as Mrs. Straus
as Mr. Steiner
as Padua
as Benson
as Lt. Johnson
as Edgar Llewellyn
as Emma
as Detective
as Detective
as Judge
as Lt. Johnson
as Medical Examiner
as Albert, Steiner's Chauffeur
as Mike's Girlfriend
as Globe Newspaper Editor
as Jonas Kessler
as Juror
as Waiter
as Doctor
Critic Reviews for Compulsion
All Critics (9) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (0) | DVD (4)
Black-and-white classic about the Leopold-Loeb murder case.
First great 'thrill killer' movie
[Richard] Fleischer turns the screws hard in "Compulsion.
Richard Fleischer's thriller is loosely based on the celebrated 1924 Chicago murder trial of Jewish thrill-killers Leopold and Loeb.
Absorbing version of Leopold-Loeb story with standout Welles performance.
Apesar de mostrar a crueldade dos jovens, o filme leva o espectador a torcer contra a pena de morte graças, principalmente, ao forte monólogo de 10 minutos protagonizado por Orson Welles.
Audience Reviews for Compulsion
Based on the Leopold-Loeb case, Compulsion makes for an interesting watch. Surely, the story of two lads, with one being extremely influenced and misled by Nietzsche's philosophy, wanting to commit a perfect crime that ends up with the murder of a child is appealing in itself. But its execution can make a world of difference. The director succeeds extensively to create a compelling thriller sticking to the facts as closely as possible. However, there's an element missing that could have made it better than what it is; IDK exactly, maybe the lack of details about the victim and his family. Of course, the movie's about the awesome twosome, but a wee-bit footage to the victim wouldn't have harmed much. I didn't find Welles' speech against capital punishment that interesting, but his response to Artie's reaction on the verdict is indeed remarkable. I went for it hesitantly, thanks to IMDb message board, but without a hesitation I'd admit that I've no remorse over my decision. As far as I'm concerned, it's a great deal for 75+ minutes. Well, to each, their own.
Super Reviewer
Orson Welles was JUST fantastic, as expected, I guess. It reminded me a lot of In Cold Blood.
Super Reviewer
Based on the 1924 case of Nathan Leopold Jr and Richard Loeb, two wealthy upper-crust college students who methodically planned the kidnapping and murder of a 14 yr old boy (Robert Franks). A solid, well acted docu-drama that, near the end, suffers from an over abundance of preachy thespianism. It's one thing to cast the legendary Orson Welles as a Clarence Darrow-ish defense attorney in an obviously anti death penalty message film, but it's awfully highhanded to let him rant incessantly about the barbarics of capital punishment. In effect, he's not a cast member with a script who is reciting monologue to a judge, he's an actor with an agenda speaking to us (the audience). A memorable but highly liberal classic.
Super Reviewer
Compulsion Quotes
| Sid Brooks: | I hope they hang him. I hope he hangs till the rope rots! |
| Sid Brooks: | I hope they hang him. I hope he hangs til the rope rots! |
| D.A. Horn: | The state psychiatrists have declared them completely sane. |
| Jonathan Wilk: | Yes, after a searching and exhausting study. Isn't that right Harold? 10 minutes in a crowded hotel room. Oh, we're up against some brilliant minds in this case, and we - we haven't a minute to lose. |