Review of In Cold Blood (1967) by Stuart K — 06 Feb 2015
Written and directed by Richard Brooks (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Elmer Gantry (1960) and Wrong Is Right (1982)), and adapted from the 1966 true crime novel by Truman Capote, this dark thriller is shot in a sparse, stark and cold black and white, which absolutely suits the mood of the film.
It's extremely heavy going and honest for it's day, and it's amazing a film like this was allowed back in 1967. In November 1959, Perry Smith (Robert Blake) and Dick Hickock (Scott Wilson) come up with a plan to rob the home of Herbert Clutter (John McLiam) in Holcomb, Kansas, who is apparantly loaded with money.
However, the robbery goes wrong, with Clutter and his wife and two children ending up being murdered in the process. Smith and Hickock go on the run, first to Las Vegas, then they head south and cross the border into Mexico.
They're able to stay one step ahead of the law, led by Kansas FBI Chief Alvin Dewey (John Forsythe), who is determined to bring Smith and Hickock to justice, and it's not long before their money starts to run out.
It was a murder that shocked America at the time, and it was a matter of time before it would become a film. It makes a good film too with some very good performances to boot, and it almost has a a New Wave feel with it's black and white photography, and it showcases what a good director Brooks was, and his work is in need of another look.
This review of In Cold Blood (1967) was written by Stuart K on 06 Feb 2015.
In Cold Blood has generally received very positive reviews.
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