The Boston Strangler [DVD] [1968]

This is a review of the 2012 Region 2 DVD from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. It provides good sound, and an excellent quality print ~ important because of the very complex split-screen images used throughout this film.Over a period of 18 months, between 14 June 1962 and 4 January 1964, an individual who became known as ‘The Boston Strangler’, murdered 13 single women, in their apartments. All lived in Boston, or in neighbouring jurisdictions around the city. They were aged between 19 and 85, and most were sexually assaulted and then strangled. Some, especially early on, granted the killer access; in other cases, he forced entry using burglar’s tools. The investigation proved difficult because no single police force was responsible for the investigations.Late in 1964, an individual arrested for rape confessed to the other crimes. He was charged and sentenced for earlier offences, so back in the 1960s, officially, the 13 murders remained unsolved.In 1966, author and biographer Gerold Frank wrote a book about the murders; two years later, prolific screenwriter Edward Anhalt ~ who scripted such hits as ‘Jeremiah Johnson’(1972) and ‘The Right Stuff’(1983) ~ loosely adapted Frank’s book for this film. He was teamed with equally prolific director Richard Fleischer, a solid journeyman who had turned out reliable crowd-pleasers across a number of genres ~ ‘The Vikings’(1958); ‘Dr Dolittle’(1967).Here however, Fleischer pulled out all the stops, using a flashy, avant-garde style of multiple split-screens and ‘cascading tile’ effects to capture the action and dramatic ‘fillers’ designed to reflect the atmosphere of growing tension and near-hysteria that gripped the city. He recounts events from the initial murders (four were close together in June 1962) until the police felt they had their killer ~ including the killings, the various police investigations and interrogations.Fleischer had an excellent cast, headed by Tony Curtis providing a grim and chilling portrayal of the suspect (he won the Golden Globe) and Henry Fonda, patrician and authoritative as the co-ordinator of the various police enquiries across jurisdictions. Fleischer’s action scenes and the depictions of the various police ploys are excellently done. The attacks and murder scenes are singularly unpleasant and explicit, even by 21st Century standards.And this presents something of a problem. Whilst the content is emphatically neither ‘enjoyable’ nor ‘entertaining’, it is entirely acceptable as a journalistic narrative. But unfortunately, that is not what it is, because the screenplay is only loosely based on Frank’s book and real events. Much of the end of the film in particular, is only an approximation of what really happened. The script makes for raw cinema, and a meaty part for Fonda, but it is not what happened, which is not really made clear.Make no mistake, this is suspenseful, showy cinema, but also a bit of a cheat: so, only 4½ Stars not the full 5.

I wouldn't have thought of Tony Curtis as the obvious choice to play the Boston Strangler, but this performance is excellent. He should have won an oscar. I appreciate critics are saying this isn't a true reprentation of the history of DeSalvo, but I'm looking at this as a piece of film making, and I thought the pacing, directing, and acting were without fault. Henry Fonda and George Kennedy are awesome. The explanation of the psychosis and its portrayal was the clearest I've seen in film. Wish I'd seen it years ago.

Initially frustrated by the shorter, expurgated, BBFC version on DVD in the U.K. I ordered this blu ray on the strength of outsider reviews and comments that suggested that it was the preferred choice for those wishing to view this ground-breaking film in its best form. With an increased running time of about 5 minutes, there is a feeling that one is watching the complete version when viewing this print. In my view, the blu ray transfer is satisfactory in all departments, and I am a bit of a blu ray buff! The film will play on U.K. blu ray players, there are no region issues to worry about. Aspect ratio is correctly rendered, considering the split-screen usage contained within the film, and used for its' novel storytelling effect, I would say that the retention of the widescreen format is quite crucial in this instance. Overall then, if this film is fondly remembered by you, or you enjoy watching 1960's filmmaking near its' best, I would recommend this version of the Boston Strangler for the following reasons: firstly, it's reasonably priced, I thought, for a blu ray, secondly, you get the longer version of the film, 116 mins opposed to 111 mins (I think?) and finally, outside of buying the French version, and a much more expensive U.S. limited release, which, in my opinion, is sourced from the same 1080p transfer, you are, effectively, getting the best priced blu ray version of this film that is out there! In my humble view only, of course! Delivery was good, packaging was good, arrived as described, and no problems from the sender!

A hard to get DVD these days.Condition of disc and case very good.Film very good, great career risking performance by Curtis

classic

Interesting film, especially if you are a fan of tonny Curtis

Excellent cast, well made film.

Been trying to find this on Blu-Ray for a while. Arrived quickly and plays perfectly.