Compulsion Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video presentation of "Compulsion" on Blu-ray, sourced from a meticulous 4K restoration by 20th Century Fox and Kino Lorber, delivers an exemplary viewing experience. The 2.35:1 aspect ratio frame is filled with William C. Mellor's masterful black-and-white cinematography, boasting remarkable clarity and contrast. Each close-up shot splendidly reveals intricate facial textures, even highlighting the artifice of Orson Welles' elaborate makeup. Background details in settings such as campus visits and courtroom scenes are vivid and well-delineated, benefiting from the transfer’s stable whites and deep grayscale variance.

Moreover, the transfer maintains the rich visual aesthetics of the original CinemaScope format, featuring solid black levels and crisp whites, enhancing the film’s shadow detail impressively. The presentation manages to balance technical precision with a film-like authenticity, retaining fine grain without compromising image detail or introducing artifacts like twitter, flashing, or aliasing. The only minor drawback is periodic compression issues, most noticeable during the main title sequence’s banding. Overall, this Blu-ray release offers an impeccable and immersive visual experience that honors the film's storied legacy.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track on the Blu-ray of "Compulsion" is a robust and clear mix that skillfully emphasizes dialogue, ensuring all exchanges remain intensely vivid and without distortion. The mix accommodates a wide dynamic range, capturing both high and low-end tones seamlessly, leading to an engaging and immersive auditory experience. Lionel Newman's jazz score is presented with excellent fidelity, filling the room thoroughly and contributing significantly to the atmosphere.

Sonic accents such as referee whistles and popping flashbulbs punctuate the audio effectively, while more subtle ambient sounds—chirping birds, peeping crickets, and playground noises—enhance the environmental realism. Despite its age, the track exhibits no discernible hiss, pop, or crackle, maintaining a purity that heightens the drama's immediacy. Group activities are rendered with dimensionality, and atmospheric effects are satisfactorily presented, creating a well-rounded and immersive audio experience overall.

The Blu-ray of "Compulsion" offers a focused array of extras, adding significant depth to the viewer's understanding of the film and its context. The highlight is an audio commentary by film historian Tim Lucas, which delves into the true crime origins of the story, details about the cast and crew, and various intriguing production anecdotes. Lucas's commentary, though occasionally bogged down by scene descriptions, provides essential insights such as Dean Stockwell's Broadway background and his criticisms of the film's handling of its provocative themes. Accompanying the commentary is a suite of theatrical trailers including a brief but bizarre preview of "Compulsion," essentially the opening sequence sans titles. This compilation is light yet informative, perfect for enthusiasts wanting to delve deeper into this classic piece of cinema.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas: Analyzes film origins, cast biographies, and production details.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original 1-minute promotional trailer in SD.
• Promo Trailers: Additional trailers for “23 Paces to Baker Street,” “Five Miles to Midnight,” and “The Stranger.”

1959's "Compulsion," directed by Richard Fleischer, meticulously presents a dramatized account of the notorious 1924 murder trial of Leopold and Loeb. The film avoids directly naming the infamous killers, instead presenting them as Judd Steiner (Dean Stockwell) and Artie Strauss (Bradford Dillman). Fleischer's adept direction retains procedural precision, showcasing the intellectual arrogance and chilling rationalizations behind the murder of a teenage boy, intended as an experiment to commit the perfect crime. The narrative splits between the crime's methodical planning and a riveting courtroom showdown, highlighted by Orson Welles' commanding portrayal of defense attorney Jonathan Wilk, a character inspired by Clarence Darrow.

Elegantly shot by William C. Mellor and bolstered by Richard Murphy's tight screenplay, the film achieves an engaging balance between psychological exploration and legal drama. Despite constraints from the Production Code leading to subtle innuendos rather than explicit depiction, the homosexual undertones and brutal motivations are effectively transmitted. The film handles its sensational subject matter with clinical precision, avoiding exploitative tendencies while emphasizing the killers' chilling detachment and intellectual superiority.

Stockwell and Dillman deliver standout performances that dynamically convey Judd's introspective intensity and Artie's flamboyant arrogance. Welles, entering in the film's last third, anchors the courtroom scenes with a restrained yet impassioned plea against capital punishment, punctuating an already tense narrative. The supporting cast, including Diane Varsi and E.G. Marshall, effectively heighten the human drama and moral complexities surrounding the case. Fleischer’s nuanced direction ensures "Compulsion" remains a compelling and faithful representation of a deeply disturbing historical crime, maintaining its relevance and impact without compromising on artistic integrity.

"Compulsion" stands out as one of the finest cinematic chronicles of the notorious Leopold-Loeb case. Richard Fleischer's directorial finesse is evident as he navigates the story’s contour within the bounds of the era's moral constraints. While Orson Welles, portraying Jonathan Wilk, garners top billing, the film's true anchors are Bradford Dillman and Dean Stockwell, who deliver compelling performances as the two sociopathic young men. Fleischer’s focus on interrogations and clue-gathering creates a dry yet intensely fascinating narrative that encourages viewers to engage with the moral and legal implications on their own terms.

The Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber boasts a breathtaking 4K restoration that significantly enhances the viewing experience. The pristine video quality is complemented by excellent lossless audio, providing a superior audiovisual experience that brings the film's riveting and darkly intriguing atmosphere to life. A noteworthy commentary track further enhances this Blu-ray edition, enriching viewers' understanding of the film’s historical context and production nuances.

Compelling performances, a captivating story, and superior technical delivery make "Compulsion" a standout historical crime drama. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray is a highly recommended addition for any film enthusiast’s collection, ensuring that this fascinating production can be appreciated in its best possible form.