Compulsion

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Compulsion

Released Apr 1, 1959

1h 43m

Crime

Drama

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100%

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10 Reviews

85%

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1,000+ Ratings

Sociopathic students Artie Straus (Bradford Dillman) and Judd Steiner (Dean Stockwell) murder a boy in a philosophical exercise to commit the flawless crime. Despite their precautions, one of them inadvertently left a key piece of evidence at the crime scene, and they have been arrested and put on trial. It's up to their nationally famous attorney (Orson Welles) to save these misguided souls from execution. The film is based on the infamous Leopold and Loeb case of 1924.

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Manny Farber

The New Leader

Compulsion has surprising power, the feeling of a new intellectualism being poured into the handsomely mounted "liberal" juggernauts Sam Goldwyn once produced.

Sep 14, 2021

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Somewhat detached in its handling of emotional tensions, this smooth screen treatment of Meyer Levin's book nonetheless generates its own sort of cobra-like hypnosis.

Nov 5, 2019

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Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

Black-and-white classic about the Leopold-Loeb murder case.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 10, 2017

Full Review

Lori Hoffman

Atlantic City Weekly

First great 'thrill killer' movie

Rated: 5/5

Mar 16, 2007

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Rory L. Aronsky

Film Threat

[Richard] Fleischer turns the screws hard in "Compulsion.

Rated: 4/5

May 30, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B+

Jun 29, 2005

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Luca D

I like how the cast wasn't all star studded. The cast was picked precisely for each role and they fit their parts perfectly. Naturally Orson Welles portrays himself as the hero, but Dean Stockwell takes the cake for this performance. Dean Stockwell seems like he was never dealt well written movies besides this sole example. I can't recommend this movie enough as it is very relevant in today's world especially regarding the case of Luigi Mangione. Conservative Christians claim to be peaceful but the second someone is killed they smell blood in the water like sharks. I absolutely love when Orsen Welles turned to the courtroom crowd and yells "kill, kill, kill!" And then goes on to describe how the less we punish criminals with violence, the less crimes they commit, letting them suffer from their own problems instead of instigating their resentment towards others.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

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Martin B

Not a fan. Looked like a custom designed award picture for Welles to take center stage and wow us with his acting skills. Accepted punishment of the time was death and that's what they should have gotten. Not insane simply spoiled, entitled fiercely intelligent youth that played God with no remorse for any of it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

Full Review

Rich V

Pulls on all of your emotions. Brilliant, but maybe not if you suffer from high blood pressure

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

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Isa B

A terrific period piece based on real life events from the 1920s. Dean Stockwell gives an outstanding performance in this film. It is especially impressive considering he was in his early 20s in this film. Orson Welles also gives an awesome performance, which was nothing new for him at this point in his career. The closing argument delivered by Welles was perfection. He was such a tremendous and often underrated actor. This is a well written, well directed motion picture. I absolutely love the shot when you see them in the reflection of the glasses. That was a nice touch. It indicated the "I got you" moment. Compulsion is a great film that I highly recommend. 94/100

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

harwee h

Solid thriller and with a solid cast. Welles shines

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

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Doug A

I consider this picture exceptionally well done.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

Full Review

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Richard Fleischer

Director

Orson Welles

Jonathan Wilk

Dean Stockwell

Judd Steiner

Bradford Dillman

Arthur A. Straus

Diane Varsi

Ruth Evans

E.G. Marshall

District Attorney Harold Horn

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Synopsis

Sociopathic students Artie Straus (Bradford Dillman) and Judd Steiner (Dean Stockwell) murder a boy in a philosophical exercise to commit the flawless crime. Despite their precautions, one of them inadvertently left a key piece of evidence at the crime scene, and they have been arrested and put on trial. It's up to their nationally famous attorney (Orson Welles) to save these misguided souls from execution. The film is based on the infamous Leopold and Loeb case of 1924.

Director: Richard Fleischer
Producer: Richard D. Zanuck
Screenwriter: Brian Clark
Production Co: Darryl F. Zanuck Productions
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 1, 1959, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 43m

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