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The Boston Strangler (1968) - A Tribute from the John Doe Archives.
The Boston Strangler
In salute of Tony Curtis John Doe has decided to go into the archives and republish his own review from 2006. After all the Tinsel Town fade outs this week JD just couldn't bring himself to write a tribute to this fallen matinee idol. Failing, as he always does to resist the temptation to share his opinion he wants to instead put a spotlight on some of Mr Curtis' finest work. Hopefully encouraging you all to go and watch the film in honour of the talent we have lost.
Director: Richard Fleischer
Starring: Henry Fonda, Tony Curtis, George Kennedy, Jeff Corey, Sally Kellerman
Writer: Edward Anhalt
"From now on, no woman in greater Boston, no matter who she is and how she lives can feel secure."- News reporter
Between 1962 and 1964 thirteen women were brutally raped and murdered in the Boston area. With no clues or solid leads police were baffled, this is the story of how for 2 years they tracked down and captured serial killer Albert De Salvo, better known as The Boston Strangler.
Challenging audiences at the time of its release and based Gerold Franks detailed book of the same name. The film is shot like a documentary, observing the events unfold this is gripping viewing that doesn’t shy away from discussing the grisly crimes and psychology of a killer.
We begin by seeing two old birds chattering in their apartment building. Buzzing on their friend Marla’s doorbell, there is no answer. Concerned they get someone to open the door to find their friend has been sexually assaulted and choked to death.
With no signs of forced entry or any fingerprint evidence, police conclude she opened the door and let her murderer in. Before long more corpses show up, all older, well respected woman who live alone, destined to suffer the same fate.
A nation wide task force is formed. Reluctantly dragged back into duty because of his logic and tactile ability to coordinate operations, Commonwealth Lawyer Jack S Bottomly (Henry Fonda) is put in charge.
"What more can you expect from a society that spends over 40% of its taxes on Killing" - Jack Bottomly
Immediately the perpetrators M.O changes. His next victim is a young black girl, who shares an apartment and the stakes go up.
The city is in a state of hysterical paranoia, it is not safe to be out at night The investigation obsesses on going after "perverts" and repeat offenders. As the lawmen get more desperate the frenzy continues with the mutilations increasing.
What follows is one of the great manhunts of last century. We get to see the police procedures, how they processed the clues and eventually captured a vicious real life psychopath..
John Doe Says:
A genuinely tense experience that thanks to precise filmmaking feels authentic and close to truth. For the most part the film sticks with the facts only taking dramatic license in the last third.
Director Richard Fleischer was best known for his fantasy and science fiction work. (Eg: The Vikings, Soylent Green, Fantastic Voyage, 20000 Leagues Under The Sea, Barrabas, Mr Majestyk) but many forget his skill.
Used to great effect here and later in his other excellent film based on the infamous John Christie murders called 10 Rillington Place. Restraint and basing each scene firmly on the ground he maintains a pseudo-doco atmosphere.
Structured for maximum suspense, like a slipknot getting tighter with each squirm, the intelligent storytelling makes sure you are constantly assessing what is happening on screen. The graphically descriptive dialogue lets your imagination paint imagery far more disturbing than anything that could be shown onscreen.
The natural cinematography has a sense of urgency care of the fly on the wall style. Employing split screen occasionally to communicate simultaneous information to sustain tension and assure attention.
Ex megastar Tony Curtis (Houdini, Some Like It Hot, Spartacus) will surprise with his frightening turn here starring as Albert De Salvo. Though his face is not revealed for the first hour his presence is felt and by the time he is laid to bare he achieves chilling results.
Henry Fonda (12 Angry Men, The Grapes of Wrath, Fail-safe, Once Upon A Time In The West, Madigan, Warlock, Ox Bow Incident) can play this sort of wise, weary and unshakable leader with effortless precision and by the half way point I forgot I was watching one of the most famous actors to walk the earth.
George Kennedy (Cool Hand Luke, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot) never goes unnoticed and here is cast as Fonda’s gruff, cynical partner providing sporadic comedy relief.
In this era of over the top, staged and predictable Hannibal Lecter style thrillers this film shows that you don’t need buckets of gore and hammy performances to engross and unnerve an audience.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen 2:25 Aspect/2.0 Dolby Digital soundtrack
I couldn’t find a clip for the film so instead click below to see part of a documentary about the infamous Albert De Salvo.
In salute of Tony Curtis John Doe has decided to go into the archives and republish his own review from 2006. After all the Tinsel Town fade outs this week JD just couldn't bring himself to write a tribute to this fallen matinee idol. Failing, as he always does to resist the temptation to share his opinion he wants to instead put a spotlight on some of Mr Curtis' finest work. Hopefully encouraging you all to go and watch the film in honour of the talent we have lost.
DVD Cover
Director: Richard Fleischer
Starring: Henry Fonda, Tony Curtis, George Kennedy, Jeff Corey, Sally Kellerman
Writer: Edward Anhalt
"From now on, no woman in greater Boston, no matter who she is and how she lives can feel secure."- News reporter
Between 1962 and 1964 thirteen women were brutally raped and murdered in the Boston area. With no clues or solid leads police were baffled, this is the story of how for 2 years they tracked down and captured serial killer Albert De Salvo, better known as The Boston Strangler.
Challenging audiences at the time of its release and based Gerold Franks detailed book of the same name. The film is shot like a documentary, observing the events unfold this is gripping viewing that doesn’t shy away from discussing the grisly crimes and psychology of a killer.
We begin by seeing two old birds chattering in their apartment building. Buzzing on their friend Marla’s doorbell, there is no answer. Concerned they get someone to open the door to find their friend has been sexually assaulted and choked to death.
With no signs of forced entry or any fingerprint evidence, police conclude she opened the door and let her murderer in. Before long more corpses show up, all older, well respected woman who live alone, destined to suffer the same fate.
A nation wide task force is formed. Reluctantly dragged back into duty because of his logic and tactile ability to coordinate operations, Commonwealth Lawyer Jack S Bottomly (Henry Fonda) is put in charge.
"What more can you expect from a society that spends over 40% of its taxes on Killing" - Jack Bottomly
Immediately the perpetrators M.O changes. His next victim is a young black girl, who shares an apartment and the stakes go up.
The city is in a state of hysterical paranoia, it is not safe to be out at night The investigation obsesses on going after "perverts" and repeat offenders. As the lawmen get more desperate the frenzy continues with the mutilations increasing.
What follows is one of the great manhunts of last century. We get to see the police procedures, how they processed the clues and eventually captured a vicious real life psychopath..
I am Spartacus, I am Spartacus, now when I remove my hand you say it
A genuinely tense experience that thanks to precise filmmaking feels authentic and close to truth. For the most part the film sticks with the facts only taking dramatic license in the last third.
Director Richard Fleischer was best known for his fantasy and science fiction work. (Eg: The Vikings, Soylent Green, Fantastic Voyage, 20000 Leagues Under The Sea, Barrabas, Mr Majestyk) but many forget his skill.
Used to great effect here and later in his other excellent film based on the infamous John Christie murders called 10 Rillington Place. Restraint and basing each scene firmly on the ground he maintains a pseudo-doco atmosphere.
Structured for maximum suspense, like a slipknot getting tighter with each squirm, the intelligent storytelling makes sure you are constantly assessing what is happening on screen. The graphically descriptive dialogue lets your imagination paint imagery far more disturbing than anything that could be shown onscreen.
The natural cinematography has a sense of urgency care of the fly on the wall style. Employing split screen occasionally to communicate simultaneous information to sustain tension and assure attention.
Ex megastar Tony Curtis (Houdini, Some Like It Hot, Spartacus) will surprise with his frightening turn here starring as Albert De Salvo. Though his face is not revealed for the first hour his presence is felt and by the time he is laid to bare he achieves chilling results.
Henry Fonda (12 Angry Men, The Grapes of Wrath, Fail-safe, Once Upon A Time In The West, Madigan, Warlock, Ox Bow Incident) can play this sort of wise, weary and unshakable leader with effortless precision and by the half way point I forgot I was watching one of the most famous actors to walk the earth.
George Kennedy (Cool Hand Luke, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot) never goes unnoticed and here is cast as Fonda’s gruff, cynical partner providing sporadic comedy relief.
In this era of over the top, staged and predictable Hannibal Lecter style thrillers this film shows that you don’t need buckets of gore and hammy performances to engross and unnerve an audience.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen 2:25 Aspect/2.0 Dolby Digital soundtrack
I couldn’t find a clip for the film so instead click below to see part of a documentary about the infamous Albert De Salvo.
Thanks, JD.
LaurenD
Film & TV on DVD
This along with Richard Fleischers 10 Rillington Place will stay with you long after it ends.
Inspired me to do a hell of a lot of research on the real events back in the day.
You should be able to find a copy most anywhere half decent that sells or rents DVDs.
Please come back and tell me what you thought of it once you track down a copy.
The book is very good too.
LaurenD
Film & TV on DVD
LaurenD