description Compulsion Overview
Compulsion is a 1959 crime drama adapted from Meyer Levin’s novel about the Leopold and Loeb case. Dean Stockwell and Bradford Dillman portray the convicted murderers, with Orson Welles serving as their legal counsel. The film features a cast including E.G. Marshall and Martin Milner in supporting roles.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
info Compulsion Specifications
| Country | United States |
| Year | 1959 |
help Compulsion FAQ
Is Compulsion based directly on the Leopold and Loeb murder case?
Yes, Meyer Levin's novel and the 1959 film fictionalize the 1924 murder committed by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb. The movie renames them Judd Steiner and Artie Straus, played by Dean Stockwell and Bradford Dillman.
Is Orson Welles playing Clarence Darrow in Compulsion?
Welles plays defense lawyer Jonathan Wilk, a fictional counterpart to Clarence Darrow. His climactic argument against capital punishment reflects Darrow's role in persuading the court to impose life sentences rather than execution.
Why do Judd and Artie commit the murder in Compulsion?
They believe their intelligence places them above ordinary morality and attempt to prove it by committing a supposedly perfect crime. A pair of distinctive eyeglasses becomes a crucial piece of evidence linking them to the victim.
Did the lead actors win an award for Compulsion?
Dean Stockwell, Bradford Dillman, and Orson Welles collectively received the Best Actor award at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival. The shared honor reflected the film's three central performances rather than recognizing only one actor.
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