Search - The Boston Strangler on DVD

Saw a review copy.....some nice features on this DVD

Darren Harrison | Washington D.C. | 08/31/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tony Curtis and Henry Fonda star in the critically acclaimed movie based on the true events of a serial killer that killed 13 women from 1962 to 1964. This movie takes a documentary style approach in following the investigators as they piece together the clues behind a seemingly random series of murders. Fonda stars as police detective John S. Bottomly and Curtis co-stars as Albert DeSalvo, the man who eventually confessed to the crimes. Of particular interest on this DVD is the inclusion of the 21-minute Backstory documentary on the movie that originally appeared on the AMC cable channel, interviewed on camera are Tony Curtis (who gushes with his appreciation of the movie), the director Richard Fleischer and producer Richard Zanuck. Also featured is a three-minute Fox Movietone newsreel of the actual events that appears to be missing part of its audio track. Rounbding out the special features is a selection of eight trailers including a theatrical trailer and teaser for the main feature that are both in wodescreen with excellent picture and only a slightly distorted (from age) audio track. This is an excellent movie and DVD - recommended."

" Murder, Mayhem and Madness"

Darren Harrison | 02/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tony Curtis gives the best performance of his life! The Boston Strangler is without a doubt the greatest camera work I have ever seen, split screen, widescreen, multi camera frames on one screen. Mr. Fleischer you made a real piece of artwork that will stand the test of time! The camera tell's and reminds you how each seen is played out on a multi pictured screen! It is a puzzle that you have to put together in your mind , a lot of fun! Tony you played the greatest Psychological character I have ever seen on screen! I know because of my own experiences. Albert De Salvo the real Boston Strangler while in prison made 2 leather wallet's, in which he gave them to Dir. Fleischer & com. Tony did not receive one! (I guess De Salvo did not like my performance Tony once said!) This is a rare one! A must see! Thank you Tony for one of the greatest performances!"

This movie does not choke

K. Gittins | CA USA | 09/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Made only a few years after the actual murders, director Fleischer used split-screens with multiple panels to good effect, although the technique originally was resisted.



Tony Curtis, known mainly for light romantic comedies or sword-and-sandal movies, was an unusual (and originally ridiculed) choice as the lead character Albert DeSalvo, outwardly a mild family man, but very troubled on the inside. Apparently DeSalvo blocked out the killings, and was not even aware he was the killer - until he finally cracks in the last scene. Although Curtis doesn't appear till halfway through, he carries the movie from there on out. His performance got much critical acclaim, though ignored at oscar time.



Other big names include Henry Fonda and George Kennedy, and other notable minor roles such as Murray Hamilton, Jeff Corey, Sally Kellerman (debut) and James Brolin.



Widescreen picture and sound are good. I imagine the person with a sync problem needed to do what I do on occasion - rewind a second or two, then play forward. That seems to clear up un-sync any time it happens to me. I'm sure it is the player, not the movie.



DVD features include a short "Movie Tone" news reel with some missing sound, a good 20 minute "AMC Backstory" with interviews by cast and crew, and a handful of trailers for various movies.



Rated "R" for one use of the "F" word and some quick shots of bare breasts. This movie was made when synonyms for "a gay man" were routinely used, and they are used here - but Amazon has chosen to censor them, thus --->(...)



A good one.







"

Haunting

K. E. Fuhrmann | SO CAL United States | 04/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is haunting, creepy, and fascinating. The first half of the movie deals with the gradual shock and horror in Boston as the stranglings continue, and focuses on the search by the police for the killer, including many false leads (which are fascinating in themselves). The camera work is interesting (including split screen effects) and contributes to a sense of unease as the search intensifies. (This movie should be seen in widescreen so I hope the DVD version is forthcoming.) The acting may seem a little flat and Jack-Webbish at times.The second half of the movie is incredible. Henry Fonda finds Tony Curtis and suspects he may be the strangler. Their scenes together are powerful. Henry Fonda gently but forcefully guides the strangler to a realization of what he's done. There are scenes that are filmed in such a way that you are able to feel along with the strangler a sense of dread and horror as the truth of what he's done begins to unfold. Tony Curtis is gives a stunning peformance. He is totally convincing as the disturbed plumber. Some of the scenes stay in your mind a long time. There is no gore, but there is one scene of an attack, and in general the film is somewhat disturbing, so I wouldn't let a young child or anyone too unstable watch it. The movie deals compassionately with the strangler as a victim of a severe mental illness, and Tony Curtis brings a strong sense of pathos to the role."