Compulsion (1959)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(1,058 ratings)

Compulsion is a compelling, stylish thriller, loosely based on the famous 1924 murder trial of thrill-killers Loeb and Leopold, two homosexual students who murdered a young boy to demonstrate their intellectual superiority. Artie Straus (Bradford Dillman) is a sadistic, mother-dominated bully. Judd… More Compulsion is a compelling, stylish thriller, loosely based on the famous 1924 murder trial of thrill-killers Loeb and Leopold, two homosexual students who murdered a young boy to demonstrate their intellectual superiority. Artie Straus (Bradford Dillman) is a sadistic, mother-dominated bully. Judd Steiner (Dean Stockwell) is a submissive, introverted sissy. Having been raised by wealthy, arrogant families, both Artie and Judd consider themselves above conventional morality. Unfeeling and conceited, the boys, after the killing, take delight in offering to aid in finding the culprits. It is this arrogance which leads to their capture and prosecution for the murders. Jonathan Wilk (Orson Welles), playing a Clarence Darrow-like criminal defense attorney, takes on the case, and puts on a defense, without the cooperation of his clients, who will offer no explanation for what they have done. Bradford Dillman gives an outstanding performance, as does Dean Stockwell as the utterly unsympathetic murderers. Orson Welles is flamboyantly imposing as Wilk, who must use all his wits to try to save the boys from execution. Compulsion is a suspenseful courtroom drama, even though most viewers will know the outcome. Tautly directed by Richard Fleischer, the film is an outstanding, believable courtroom drama. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Richard Fleischer
Written By: Meyer Levin, Richard Murphy
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1959 Wide
On DVD: May 23, 2006

Critic Reviews

Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
First great 'thrill killer' movie
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
[Richard] Fleischer turns the screws hard in "Compulsion.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Richard Fleischer's thriller is loosely based on the celebrated 1924 Chicago murder trial of Jewish thrill-killers Leopold and Loeb.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Absorbing version of Leopold-Loeb story with standout Welles performance.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
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.

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Featured Audience Ratings

familiar s

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.… More
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.
Jennifer D

Orson Welles was JUST fantastic, as expected, I guess. It reminded me a lot of In Cold Blood.
Randy T

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… More
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.
jay n

Excellent examination of the Loeb/Leopold case. Dillman is chilling in his utter contempt for all emotion and Stockwell is fine as his puppet but alll pale next to Welles who offers a wily and wise performance. It's a shame he didn't act in more films like this and Touch of… More
Excellent examination of the Loeb/Leopold case. Dillman is chilling in his utter contempt for all emotion and Stockwell is fine as his puppet but alll pale next to Welles who offers a wily and wise performance. It's a shame he didn't act in more films like this and Touch of Evil that were worthy of his talent.

Cast

            Orson Welles as Jonathan Wilk

            Dean Stockwell as Judd Steiner

            Bradford Dillman as Artie Straus

            Diane Varsi as Ruth Evans

            E.G. Marshall as D.A. Horn

            Martin Milner as Sid Brooks

            Richard Anderson as Max Steiner

            Edward Binns as Tom Daly

            Robert Burton as Mr. Straus

            Wilton Graff as Mr. Steiner

            Louise Lorimer as Mrs. Straus

            Gavin MacLeod as Padua

            Terry Becker as Benson

            Russ Bender as Edgar Llewellyn

            Gerry Lock as Emma

            Harry Carter as Detective Davis

            Simon Scott as Det. Brown

            Voltaire Perkins as Judge

            Ina Balin as Mike's Girlfriend

            Peter Brocco as Albert

            Wendell Holmes as Jonas Kessler

            Henry Kulky as Waiter

            Jack Lomas as Coroner

            Dayton Lummis as Doctor

            Robert F. Simon as Lt. Johnson

            Frank Conroy
            
            Ed Binns
            
See full cast