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Compulsion (1959) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   1,495 votes
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Down 18% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Richard Fleischer
Writers:
Richard Murphy (screenplay)
Meyer Levin (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Compulsion on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
May 1959 (West Germany) more
Genre:
Biography | Crime | Drama | History | Thriller more
Tagline:
Sometimes murder is just a way to pass the time. more
Plot:
Two wealthy law-school students go on trial for murder in this version of the Leopold-Loeb case. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Queer Birthday Suits
 (From FilmExperience. 19 November 2009, 1:55 PM, PST)
Mandy Patinkin to Star in Compulsion at Yale Rep, Directed by Oskar Eustis in 2010
 (From BroadwayWorld.com. 7 October 2009, 10:19 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Short vision more (37 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Orson Welles ... Jonathan Wilk
Diane Varsi ... Ruth Evans
Dean Stockwell ... Judd Steiner
Bradford Dillman ... Arthur A. Straus

E.G. Marshall ... District Attorney Harold Horn
Martin Milner ... Sid Brooks

Richard Anderson ... Max Steiner
Robert F. Simon ... Police Lt. Johnson (as Robert Simon)
Edward Binns ... Tom Daly
Robert Burton ... Charles Straus
Wilton Graff ... Mr. Steiner
Louise Lorimer ... Mrs. Straus aka 'Mumsy'

Gavin MacLeod ... Padua - Horn's Assistant
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ina Balin ... Mike's girlfriend (scenes deleted)
Edmund Cobb ... Policeman (scenes deleted)
Frank Conroy ... (scenes deleted)
more
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
103 min | 99 min (FMC Library Print)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) (Westrex Recording System) | Mono (35 mm optical prints) (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
USA:Approved (certificate #19194) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15
Filming Locations:
Los Angeles High School - 4650 W. Olympia Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA
Company:
Darryl F. Zanuck Productions more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Average Shot Length & Median Shot Length = ~11 seconds. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Judd Steiner: To the perfect crime!
Arthur Straus: Crime. Oh, my wealthy fraternity brothers. 67 dollars, and a second-hand typewriter.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Apartment Zero (1988) more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
14 out of 23 people found the following comment useful.
Short vision, 18 May 2005
8/10
Author: jotix100 from New York

"Compulsion" was one of the most important American films of the late 50s. Based loosely on the famous Leopold and Loeb case, the movie still packs quite an impact because of the excellent work by the three principals. As directed by Richard Fleischer, this is a disturbing look at two criminal minds who thought they were above and beyond the law because they had the perfect crime planned. The film was greatly adapted for the screen by Richard Murphy from the Meyer Levin book and stage play.

Even for those clever enough to carry on a murder, there is always a possibility that a minor mistake will give the culprit away. The two young men at the center of the story, Judd Steiner and Artie Straus are homosexual lovers. At the time, being gay in America must have been one of the worst things in a more puritanical and pious society. These two men hide their sexual preference well because of the circles they both move. Coming from upper class families, in a way, made it easier for these men to formulate a plan to satisfy their idle existences.

After committing a heinous crime, just because they thought they could get away with it, the two friends begin experiencing the guilt associated with what they have done. Judd's reaction is different from Artie's. Where Judd tries to lay low, Artie tries to help the police in a bold move that will end up badly. Judd suddenly feels abandoned by Artie when he realizes Artie might be getting too close to the people investigating the murder.

As careful as these men had been, something that apparently seems innocent, ties them to the crime. The principal investigator, Sid Brooks, turns the men against one another by playing his cards right. This is the moment that Jonathan Wilk, the famous trial lawyer enters the picture. Unfortunately, even a star lawyer can't save people that have talked too much because they thought they were above the law.

Star lawyers have always been at the center of all famous trials throughout the history. In a way, it's ironic that only one man, the great Jonathan Wilk is the only person in court to defend Steiner and Straus. Had it been today, these two men would have had a battery of expensive lawyers making the case for them. The figure of Wilke is based on the real lawyer of the Leopold and Loeb case: Clarence Darrow, a man larger than life.

Dean Stockwell and Bradford Dillman made an invaluable contribution to the success of the film. Mr. Stockwell, a child actor that grew up in front of the camera, makes a compelling Judd Steiner. Mr. Stockwell gets under Steiner's skin because he seems to know what made this young man do what he did. Mr. Dillman was a relative new face to the movies, but his performance as Artie Straus has a profound effect on the viewer. Neither man makes a likable person, but maybe that was the message the author of the play wanted to leave the viewer with.

Orson Welles made a splendid appearance as the defense lawyer, Jonathan Wilk. Mr. Welles' physical presence dominates most of the court proceedings. In fact, is a tribute to his genius that he towers over everything around him whenever he is in front of the camera. E. G. Marshall has some good moments as Sid Brooks, the investigator who unearths the truth in this case. Ed Binns, Martin Milner, Robert Simon, Richard Anderson make contributions to the film. Diane Varsi, as the Ruth Evans is the only female that has an opportunity in the film.

The film moves at a quick pace and will, no doubt, satisfy those viewers seeking intelligent entertainment.

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