Two highly intelligent, wealthy young students attempt to get away with "the perfect murder". This intriguing drama was also filmed as "Rope" (1948) and "Swoon" (1992). Loosely based on the true story of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, this version stars Dean Stockwell (as Judd Steiner) and Bradford Dillman (as Artie Straus), with Orson Welles (as Jonathan Wilk). "Compulsion" is one of the best Hitchcock films NOT directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Oddly enough, Hitchcock did direct the inferior, albeit interesting "Rope"; the film's subject matter has Hitchcock written all over it.
Director Richard Fleischer is at his best, combining material from both Hitchcock and Alex Segal, director of the original play; still, he makes his version of "Compulsion" distinctive. If Mr. Stockwell's glaring glasses and the birds in his room seem like they could be coincidental Hitchcock touches, the dissolve during Mr. Dillman's "Mae and Edna" interrogation scene is a dead giveaway; it was Hitchcock's calling card, in "Rope". From the 1957 play, Stockwell continues as "Judd" (the "strange bird"). But, Roddy McDowell is replaced by Dillman as "Artie"; in hindsight, this may seem like a grievous error - but, thankfully, Dillman excels in the role.
Stockwell, Dillman, and Mr. Welles shared the "Best Actor" award for 1959, at the Cannes Film Festival; and, Fleischer was nominated for "Best Director". Welles' contribution, nominated on its own for a "New York Film Critics" award, was more like an extended cameo, however. Welles dominates the last act, with a grand, blustering impression of Clarence Darrow. Yet, Stockwell and Dillman deserve the "Best Actor" recognition; and, prosecutor E.G. Marshall (as Harold Horn) isn't given a comparative closing argument (the film's main flaw). Welles and Diane Varsi (as Ruth Evans) receive star-billing; but, Ms. Varsi plays an inarguably supporting role. She and Martin Milner (as Sid Brooks) are certainly good, though.
Varsi's character adds depth to the confused sexuality present in Stockwell's character. Note, Hitchcock's "Rope" portrayed "Leopold" and "Loeb" as more homo- than heterosexual. Probably, this film intentionally sought to tone down the same-gender sexual attraction; but, the effort only served to make "Compulsion" sexier, with Stockwell torn between his subservient role with the male Dillman ("You wanted me to command you") and the female Varsi, whom he aborts raping (possibly giving away his preference). The scenes with Dillman in Stockwell's bedroom are sublime; in one, he literally "comes out of the closet."
********* Compulsion (4/1/59) Richard Fleischer ~ Dean Stockwell, Bradford Dillman, Orson Welles, Diane Varsi
Director Richard Fleischer is at his best, combining material from both Hitchcock and Alex Segal, director of the original play; still, he makes his version of "Compulsion" distinctive. If Mr. Stockwell's glaring glasses and the birds in his room seem like they could be coincidental Hitchcock touches, the dissolve during Mr. Dillman's "Mae and Edna" interrogation scene is a dead giveaway; it was Hitchcock's calling card, in "Rope". From the 1957 play, Stockwell continues as "Judd" (the "strange bird"). But, Roddy McDowell is replaced by Dillman as "Artie"; in hindsight, this may seem like a grievous error - but, thankfully, Dillman excels in the role.
Stockwell, Dillman, and Mr. Welles shared the "Best Actor" award for 1959, at the Cannes Film Festival; and, Fleischer was nominated for "Best Director". Welles' contribution, nominated on its own for a "New York Film Critics" award, was more like an extended cameo, however. Welles dominates the last act, with a grand, blustering impression of Clarence Darrow. Yet, Stockwell and Dillman deserve the "Best Actor" recognition; and, prosecutor E.G. Marshall (as Harold Horn) isn't given a comparative closing argument (the film's main flaw). Welles and Diane Varsi (as Ruth Evans) receive star-billing; but, Ms. Varsi plays an inarguably supporting role. She and Martin Milner (as Sid Brooks) are certainly good, though.
Varsi's character adds depth to the confused sexuality present in Stockwell's character. Note, Hitchcock's "Rope" portrayed "Leopold" and "Loeb" as more homo- than heterosexual. Probably, this film intentionally sought to tone down the same-gender sexual attraction; but, the effort only served to make "Compulsion" sexier, with Stockwell torn between his subservient role with the male Dillman ("You wanted me to command you") and the female Varsi, whom he aborts raping (possibly giving away his preference). The scenes with Dillman in Stockwell's bedroom are sublime; in one, he literally "comes out of the closet."
********* Compulsion (4/1/59) Richard Fleischer ~ Dean Stockwell, Bradford Dillman, Orson Welles, Diane Varsi