Compulsion (film)

Compulsion is a 1959 film about two wealthy law-school students who go on trial for murder in this version of the Leopold-Loeb case.
 * Directed by Richard Fleischer. Written by Richard Murphy, based on the novel by Meyer Levin.

You know why we did it? Because we damn well felt like doing it! (taglines)

Jonathan Wilk

 * If there is any way of destroying hatred and all that goes with it, it's not through evil and hatred and cruelty, but through charity, love, understanding.
 * They say you can only get justice by shedding their last drop of blood. Isn't a lifetime behind prison bars enough for this mad act?...You hang these boys, it will mean that in this land of ours, a court of law could not help but bow down to public opinion.
 * In those years to come, you might find yourself asking if it wasn't the hand of god dropped these glasses... And if he didn't, who did?

Max Steiner

 * [to Judd Steiner] It just irritates me to see anyone as brilliant as you make a jackass out of himself over someone like Artie Straus.

Arthur Straus

 * The neighborhood is swarming with kidnappers and degenerates!

Dialogue

 * Judd Steiner: To the perfect crime!
 * Arthur Straus: Crime. Oh, my wealthy fraternity brothers. 67 dollars, and a second-hand typewriter.


 * Arthur Straus: When we made the deal, you said you could take orders. You said you wanted me to command you.
 * Judd Steiner: I do - as long as you keep your part of the agreement.


 * Judd Steiner: Please, Artie - I'll do anything you say.
 * Arthur Straus: Anything?


 * Judd Steiner: Not tomorrow afternoon.
 * Arthur Straus: Oh, you got another date? [in disbelief] Are you ditching me for some girl?
 * Judd Steiner: I haven't been able to find you for three days.


 * Jonathan Wilk: I wasn't expecting you to fall down on your knees and thank god for deliverance.
 * Judd Steiner: "God"? That sounds rather strange coming from you, Mr. Wilk.
 * Jonathan Wilk: A lifetime of doubt and questioning doesn't necessarily mean I've reached any final conclusions.
 * Judd Steiner: Well I have. And god has nothing to do with it.
 * Jonathan Wilk: You sure, Judd? In those years to come, you might find yourself asking if it wasn't the hand of god dropped those glasses... and if he didn't, who did?

Taglines

 * You know why we did it? Because we damn well felt like doing it!
 * Sometimes murder is just a way to pass the time.
 * THEIRS WAS THE PERFECT CRIME they thought! They were too sure...too smart...too careful to leave a clue—but they did! and it exploded—The shocking story of two teenagers out for kicks...looking for thrills...and finding them!

Cast

 * Orson Welles - Jonathan Wilk
 * Diane Varsi - Ruth Evans
 * Dean Stockwell - Judd Steiner
 * Bradford Dillman - Artie Strauss
 * E. G. Marshall - District Attorney Harold Horn
 * Martin Milner - Sid Brooks
 * Richard Anderson - Max Steiner
 * Robert F. Simon - Police Lt. Johnson
 * Edward Binns - Tom Daly