The Boston Strangler (1968)
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92% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
73% of users liked it
(3,211 ratings)
The Boston Strangler adopts the split-screen technique then in vogue (see also The Thomas Crown Affair) to relate the true story of self-confessed mass murderer Albert DeSalvo. Adapted by Edward Anhalt from the book by Gerold Frank, the film covers the years 1962 to 1964, during which time a dozen… More The Boston Strangler adopts the split-screen technique then in vogue (see also The Thomas Crown Affair) to relate the true story of self-confessed mass murderer Albert DeSalvo. Adapted by Edward Anhalt from the book by Gerold Frank, the film covers the years 1962 to 1964, during which time a dozen women were raped and murdered in the Boston area. State-appointed officer John Bottomly (Henry Fonda) arrests as many known sex offenders as he can get his hands on in hopes of finding a clue as to the Boston Strangler's identity. As these things often happen, the police come across the necessary evidence through pure luck. Well-played by Tony Curtis (whose makeup is startling), DeSalvo himself does not appear until an hour into the film. When caught, the schizophrenic DeSalvo insists that he knows nothing of the murders. Under interrogation and hypnosis, his homicidal impulses are exposed. Meticulously cast, The Boston Strangler offers excellent vignettes by Sally Kellerman as the Strangler's only surviving victim and by Hurd Hatfield as an erudite sex pervert. When Boston Strangler was first shown on TV in 1974, a voice-over coda was added, noting that Albert DeSalvo was stabbed to death in prison on November 26, 1973, and that many experts were convinced that he was not the killer but that his confessions were the product of a delusional mind. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Richard Fleischer
- Written By
- Edward Anhalt
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1968 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox Film Corp.
Critic Reviews
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
An excellent movie, Curtis' best role ever as the tortured Albert DeSalvo. the documentary-style suits the film perfectly. wonderfully underplayed and suspenseful from beginning to end.
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Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Another fascinating true-crime drama by the underestimated Richard Fleischer. A cast against type Tony Curtis is excellent as killer Albert DeSalvo.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Curtis works hard to give his character some force in one of his best performances.
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Bob Grimm, Las Vegas Mercury
Pretty nasty stuff for its time.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Tony Curtis
as Albert De Salvo
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Henry Fonda
as John S. Bottomly
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George Kennedy
as Phil Di Natale
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Mike Kellin
as Julian Soshnick
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Hurd Hatfield
as Terence Huntley
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Murray Hamilton
as Frank McAfee
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Jeff Corey
as John Asgiersson
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Sally Kellerman
as Dianne Cluny
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William Marshall
as Edward W. Brooke
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Tom Aldredge
as Harold Lacey
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Greg Benedict
as Dick Matheson
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James Brolin
as Sgt. Lisi
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Carolyn Conwell
as Irmgard DeSalvo
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Jeanne Cooper
as Cloe
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Leora Dana
as Mary Bottomly
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Gwyda DonHowe
as Alice Oakville
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Alex Dreier
as News Commentator
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Dana Elcar
as Louis Schubert
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George Furth
as Lyonel Brumley
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Arthur Hanson
as Commissioner
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Tim Herbert
as Cedric
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William Hickey
as Eugene T. Rourke
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Karen Huston
as Pat Bruner
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Walter Klavun
as Chief of Police
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Richard Krisher
as Tom
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Lara Lindsay
as Bobbie Eden
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Enid Markey
as Edna
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Nancie Phillips
as Barbara Wise
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Almira Sessions
as Emma Hodak
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Carole Shelley
as Dana Banks
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Richard X. Slattery
as Ed Willis
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John Cameron Swayze
as TV Commentator
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Marie Thomas
as Gloria
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William Traylor
as Arnie Carr
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George Tyne
as Dr. Kramer
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George Voskovec
as Peter Hurkos
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Austin Willis
as Dr. Nagy
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Janis Young
as Louise Parker
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David Lewis
as Judge Schroeder
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George Fisher
as Mr. Taylor
