In Cold Blood [DVD]

It's interesting that Truman Capote and Harper Lee both wrote novels that were adapted to two of the best films ever made, and both of them never wrote another novel. Lee came out with a strange little tome about 3 years ago, which was unreadable, and Capote limited himself to drinking and social climbing and some good short stories.The film In Cold Blood was released in the mid 60's, when protest marches and anti-war rhetoric were in their infancy. It recalls Dragnet and Citizen Kane and Edward R. Murrow. It's a film noir with a social conscience, an art film with an agenda, and a police drama and documentary all rolled into one. It's a grimy classic with moments of transcendent beauty and bleak ugliness.Scott Wilson and Robert Blake were both perfectly cast, and their performances are pure, distilled genius. Despite its age, this story of an America where greed and madness showed its face on Main Street USA is unforgettable, strangely relevant, and should not be missed by those who appreciate great filmmaking.

I wanted this movie because I was working for the Kansas Department of Corrections when Truman Capote called our office asking for permission to gain admittance to the Penitentiary to interview the murderers, Hickock and Smith. As I said in the headline, both actors looked so much like the people they were portraying that when they showed up in Holcomb, Kansas where some of the filming was done some residents actually thought they were the inmates themselves. It, sadly, is a very accurate documentary of the senseless killing of members of the Clutter family in Kansas!

Good to have, clean and good quality . I was alive when all this happened and quite aware of it ...... my grandfather (a farmer) ... and most farmers across the State were very upset about what they did . He had health issues at times, that Doctors said they were surprised he came out of, but he said he was determined to stay alive until they were hung. He died 6 mo's after they were hung. It caused a lot of farmers to keep loaded guns a lot more handy after that ... for some decades. Capote obviously had some compassion and connections with them others didn't have, so he does bring out their human side & background better than I think most would have. I consider that a good thing, but still does not raise any sympathy for the punishment .... they got what they deserved. .

This chilling, disturbing and thought provoking film has dated surprisingly little given it's almost 50 year age. It’s brilliant on so many levels; the amazing work by the two lead actors, Robert Blake and Scott Wilson, who let us inside two murderous monsters and - in spite of ourselves - force us to have moments of understanding and even sympathy. The exquisite photography by Conrad Hall – the film is full of lighting and framing that have left images seared into my head from the first viewing on. The powerful score by Quincy Jones, and most of all Richard Brooks masterful telling of the story – both in his screenplay of Truman Capote's classic book, and his powerful driven direction - bring all the above elements together. It's amazing that the film can create one of the most horrible murder scenes ever photographed, but still make us deeply question the sanity of the death penalty. The editing is full of brave jumps in time, odd, off kilter transitions from scenes to scene, and an overall intensity that almost never lets down. This is not a pleasant or easy film to watch. It’s a dark story about dark people. But it sucks you into their world and makes you question what makes a monster and what is justice. All the while avoiding (for the most part, -- there are a few exceptions) the cliché or the preachy. An amazing piece of film-making that hasn’t quite gotten its historic due, made as it was in the same year as "The Graduate" and "Bonny and Clyde" which seem to have more quickly filled that year’s ‘all time great’ slots.

The original disc and a collectors edition disc which are very nice snd half the price of blue ray. The only problem I had with mine was there were parts at first that I thought were for cinematic effect that there was no sound and then I realized it was my disc. I’ll take another look at my disc and make sure it’s not dirty and if it’s not, exchange it. I would recommend watching and getting Capote if you’re going to have a theme movie night in and watch some of Capote’s film’s and you should, of course include Harper Lee’s, Too Kill A Mockingbird. Although it’s not mentioned in every publication that Harper Lee was with Capote while he wrote the heft of In Cold Blood, it is often suggested that throughout their friendship that not only was Capote a character in TKAM, but that he actually wrote it during his friendship with Lee. Resulting to which, Lee never wrote another book again until recently to poor and or mixed reviews. Capote himself never wrote another book after he wrote the original book for which the screenplay is taken from awwww MF over the years had been been greatly disproven and picked apart. One of the finest works of non fiction and the father of the books on true crime. I don’t think that the movie gives the book justice and if you read the book, I would suggest you read some books that show valid proof that Capote didn’t exactly portray the crime and the people and exactly what happened as 100a% truthful or even the killers for that matter. Capote favoriting Perry much more than Hickock and describing him far more flattering than was truthful and sometimes at the expense of Hickock. However, what Capote wrote is echoes throughout this film although he is not characterized, nor Lee nor their trying to make their way into society in Kansas fresh out of New aYork and very flamboyant. The movie tells some of the story, but for those who have read the book, you will be felt wanting more, although the acting is well done snd the lighting and camera angles are also good. There is also a different type of “confession “ never written about or heard about and I believe is done for cinematic effect. Overall, it’s a good movie and gives a brief picture of victims and of killers (very brief picture or the victims in life). Not much of the trial is shown, nor the incarceration. Not much is shown of their time on the lam. The most time is spent waiting with Perry Smith and Dick Hickock before they are about to be hanged. Perry Smith, the most. The final last words of Perry’s in the film were not Perry’s although the time spent with the chaplain is unknown to be true or not. I haven’t read anywhere that he spent any great length of time with the chaplain. Although this is a movie and in truth, it could have only had been several minutes. The movie ends as predicted to a fault. It’s a good movie to watch on a Saturday night when you’re watching a Theme Night movie night or unless you’re interested in the book and you’ve read it and now want to see the movie. It’s not for writing a book report and watching the movie instead of reading the book. FYI. The more you know 🌈. I would suggest it. It’s a classic and should be seen once. If you want to watch to watch it on Amazon and not commit to buying if that’s an option. I wanted it for my collection, so I bought this with Capote on regular DVD and other than some minor sound issues, it was perfect. I’m sure I’ll watch it again because it was a very well done film.

Great film for a true story and perfectly filmed. Except the night scenes in the house as hard to make out what it was.

I only bought this out of curiosity. A lot better than I thought it would be. I always liked Robert Blake. He was good on the Beretta TV series.

Amazing romance.

In Cold Blood is one of my favourite novels and this is an excellent adaptation. I also recommend the 2005 film Capote, a great companion piece.

Excellent film, very powerful and well acted. I suggest reading the book it was based on. Interesting that Harper Lee who accompanied Trueman Capote when he visited the area and became close to one of the defendants, is publishing her follow up to To Kill a .........., and Cspote is only know for two books