The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975) (TV)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Paul Wendkos

Writer:

William Bast (writer)

Release Date:

10 February 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Lizzie Borden took an ax, gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, gave her father forty-one.

Plot:

A dramatization of the famous 1893 Massachusetts trial of the woman accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an ax.

Plot Keywords:

Axe | Murderess | Axe Murder | Murder | Female Killer

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Elizabeth Montgomery	...	Lizzie Borden
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Bridget Sullivan
Ed Flanders	...	Hosea Knowlton
Katherine Helmond	...	Emma Borden
Don Porter	...	George Robinson
Fritz Weaver	...	Mr. Andrew Borden
Bonnie Bartlett	...	Sylvia Knowlton
John Beal	...	Dr. Bowen
Helen Craig	...	Mrs. Abby Borden
Alan Hewitt	...	Mayor Coughlin
Gail Kobe	...	Alice Russell
Robert Symonds	...	Andrew Jennings
Hayden Rorke	...	Julien Ralph
Iggie Wolfington	...	Store proprietor
Amzie Strickland	...	Adelaide Churchill

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

George LeMaire Productions

Goofs:

Anachronisms: High voltage power cables on pylons can be seen on the hills behind the Borden house.

Quotes:

Adelaide Churchill: Lizzie what's wrong?
Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Borden: Oh Mrs Churchill, do come in. Someone has killed Father.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Little Nicky (2000)

DON'T WATCH THIS ALONE,TURN ON THE LIGHTS!

If you watch this movie, I recommend that you don't watch it alone, and make sure that you turn on the lights.I watched this made for television movie the first time that it aired, and I was absolutely terrified!I was alone, and I started turning on all of the lights in my apartment.I did not know of the famous murder case at the time.I was amazed that a woman could possibly commit such a dastardly act way back in 1892.I watch this movie once in a while, and it is still as creepy as it was in the 1970s. Elizabeth Montgomery was chilling as Lizzie Borden.I cannot put my finger on what Elizabeth Montgomery did in her portrayal to be so scary, but I can tell you, she was magnificent.The supporting cast was great.Fritz Weaver was superb as the father Andrew Borden. I have always loved Fritz Weaver's work as an actor.Katherine Helmond who played the sister Emma was very effective.Remember her on the television comedy Soap with Billy Crystal?

The music in this movie was very good at setting the mood. The music in the very beginning of the movie lets you know that something horrible has transpired.I think that the scene in the beginning, where the maid Bridget Sullivan raced to different houses looking for help,was really scary.It just helped to build up the tension. I know that if I had been the neighbor lady who went to the house, and saw Lizzie standing in the doorway, with a bizarre look on her face,and she said," someone has killed father", and then she opened the door, there is no way that I would have stepped into the house!I highly recommend this movie to Elizabeth Montgomery fans, and to people who want to see a superior thriller based on a true murder case.