The Boston Strangler
by Richard Fleischer
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Actor: George Kennedy, Henry Fonda, Hurd Hatfield, Mike Kellin, Tony CurtisDirector: Richard Fleischer
Brand: Fox
Cinematographer: Richard H. Kline
Editor: Marion Rothman
Producer: James Cresson
Producer: Robert Fryer
Writer: Edward Anhalt
Writer: Gerold Frank
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 1.0; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 116 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-09-07
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Reviews of The Boston Strangler
DVD Review: A Masterpiece in the True Crime Genre
Summary: 5 Stars
In a time where direct-to-video movies about serial killers (Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Gacy, Ed Gein, Evilenko, etc. The list goes on) are stocked onto Blockbuster's shelves; It's a movie that was made in 1968, before The Boston Strangler had reached the final chapter of his story, to be a masterpiece of its genre. This movie is easily one of the most accurate, entertaining, and well-acted movie about a serial killer in existence. I don't really know a lot about the case; What I do know is that a man named Albert DeSalvo was caught for attempting to break into a house and was committed to a hospital. He was believed to be The Boston Strangler, but was never tried for the crime. He eventually died in the hospital, at the hands of a fellow inmate. This movie doesn't have every detail of DeSalvo's commitment and demise, but other than that...It's accurate. It also has extremely innovative camera work and a dynamite performance by Tony Curtis (who previously had appeared in comedic films like Some Like It Hot). The movie beings from the cops perspective; Elderly women are suddenly being killed by an unknown assailant, whom they've invited into their homes. We don't actually witness the killings, but the way they're filmed is pretty effective. Eventually a lawyer, named John Bottomly (Henry Fonda), is brought in to head up the team to track down the killer. After a bunch of false leads, they finally catch the killer Albert DeSalvo (Curtis) by chance. The movie doesn't show Albert DeSalvo until much later in the movie and I think it would've been more effective to not show him until he was in the victim's house, rather than at his own. Whatever...It's still good. Tony Curtis did not get an Oscar nomination for this film, which only proves to me further that the Academy Awards don't always pay attention to really good performances (although, I can't say I know who the 5 nominees were for that year). Henry Fonda is also good as Bottomly, but Curtis owns the movie. Since the film begins with the title card "This film is based on actual events, involving murderer Albert DeSalvo" (or something to that effect), it seems unrealistic that the movie could be good. You know where it's leading. But even when the cops follow up the wrong leads (or even when they bring in a swami), it still keeps your attention. The cinematography is, as I mentioned, innovative. Movies like "Hulk" wouldn't look the same if not for this movie. It's not horrifying and it's pretty tame as far as graphic content, but it still can deliver the occasional chill.
GRADE: A-
P.S.,
I mentioned in the beginning that direct-to-video movies about serial killers are being released frequently. While movies about Dahmer, Bundy, Gacy, Chikatilo, Gein, Ramirez, and every other killer you can think of are on the market...It appears that distributors are running out of ideas. There's a recently released Boston Strangler movie available now.
Description of The Boston Strangler
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