IMDb > Swoon (1992)

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   744 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 18% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Tom Kalin
Writers:
Hilton Als (collaborating writer)
Tom Kalin (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Swoon on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 September 1992 (UK) more
Genre:
Biography | Crime | Drama more
Tagline:
Was it a crime of passion? Or a passion for crime?
Plot:
The true story of gay lovers, Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold Jr. who kidnapped and murdered a child in the early 1920s for kicks... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
6 wins & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Queer Birthday Suits
 (From FilmExperience. 19 November 2009, 1:55 PM, PST)
Birthday Suits: Immortal Beloveds
 (From FilmExperience. 8 November 2009, 6:27 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Tom Kalin Makes His Case more (12 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Daniel Schlachet ... Richard Loeb

Craig Chester ... Nathan Leopold Jr.
Ron Vawter ... State's Attorney Crowe
Michael Kirby ... Detective Savage
Michael Stumm ... Doctor Bowman
Valda Z. Drabla ... Germaine Reinhardt
Natalie Stanford ... Susan Lurie
Isabela Araujo ... Venus in Furs Diva
Jill 'Spanky' Buchanan ... Venus in Furs Diva
Nashom Benjamin ... Venus in Furs Diva / Mona Foot (as Mona Foot)
Trash ... Venus in Furs Diva
Trasharama ... Venus in Furs Diva
Nashom Wooden ... Venus in Furs Diva
Peter Bowen ... Factory Workman
Ryan Landry ... Ivory
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
82 min | Spain:94 min | Sweden:92 min | UK:80 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Australia:M | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:Open (rating surrendered: 1992) | USA:R (original rating: 1992)
Filming Locations:
Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA more
Company:
American Playhouse more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Daniel Schlachet's mother in the film is played by Barbara Bleier, who is his mother in real life. more
Goofs:
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Characters use telephones with Touch Tone dialing-systems and other modern devices, even though the film is set in the early 1920's. The placement of such anachronistic objects was deliberate on the part of the filmmakers. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006) more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
Tom Kalin Makes His Case, 4 July 2009
7/10
Author: wesconnorsehny from Earth

Two highly intelligent young Jewish men, who are also lovers, attempt to get away with "the perfect murder". This intriguing drama was also filmed as "Rope" (1948) and "Compulsion" (1959). Based on the true story of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, this version stars Craig Chester (as Mr. Leopold) and Daniel Schlachet (as Mr. Loeb). Of the three features currently available, this is undoubtedly the most "realistic" version of the gruesome crime. Yet, for most, "Swoon" will also be the least entertaining of the three films.

This one focuses on not only the murder, but also the sexual relationship between the principals. With unsavory flourish, "Swoon" comes across as an attempt to move responsibility for the crime from Leopold and Loeb, to an intolerant society, with the former explaining, "I wanted to murder the idea of suffering as my condition; I wanted to surpass the boundaries of intelligence for something more pure." Excuses, excuses.

Director Tom Kalin makes it an outstanding looking production, with Ellen Kuras contributing terrific black-and-white photography. Due to the availability of archival footage and Mr. Kalin's expert editing, the real Leopold and Loeb can be seen. And, due to and Leopold's relatively long life, we have one of the subjects characterized becoming an actor in the film. The real actors, Mr. Chester and Mr. Schlachet, perform superbly.

******* Swoon (2/19/92) Tom Kalin ~ Craig Chester, Daniel Schlachet, Ron Vawter

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