Where to Watch Compulsion (1959) in the US

What it's about

In 1924 Chicago, Artie Strauss and Judd Steiner are friends and fellow law students who both come from wealthy backgrounds. They have few true friends as they believe all their contemporaries are intellectually inferior. Within their relationship, Artie is the dominant and Judd the submissive who says he will do whatever Artie tells him. Although Judd acts intellectually arrogant to others, he also shows signs of weakness and reticence most evident to Artie. Part of their goal in life is to experience how it feels to do everything. As such, they plot to commit what they consider the perfect crime - a kidnapping and murder - not only so that they can experience the sense of killing for killing's sake, but also taunt the law with the knowledge of it and their superiority after the fact. They believe their crime is above the law. Their murder of young Paulie Kessler is not so perfect, with evidence at the scene uncovered by one of their law school colleagues, Sid Brooks, who also works for the Globe newspaper. As Artie and Judd try to manipulate their way out of how the evidence may implicate them, their manipulation ultimately backfires and they are charged with the murder. The most famed trial lawyer in town, Jonathan Wilk, is hired to defend the pair despite his atheism being against the families' sensibilities. Jonathan, renowned for his ability to manipulate juries, has to decide how best to defend his clients in the overwhelming face of evidence against them. The testimony of Ruth Evans, Sid's girlfriend, may have some impact on the trial's outcome.

Cast and crew

Director

Richard Fleischer

Writer

Richard Murphy, Meyer Levin

Starring

Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Diane Varsi

Details

Release date

May 1, 1959

Language

English

Country

United States

Awards

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award1 win & 5 nominations total

Where to Watch Compulsion (1959) in the US — common questions

Where to watch Compulsion in the United States?

Compulsion is available with a subscription, free with ads, or to rent in the United States. Watch the movie with a subscription on Prime Video (HD). Watch the movie free with ads on Prime Video (HD) and Tubi TV. Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Can I stream Compulsion or do I have to rent it in the United States?

Watch the movie with a subscription on Prime Video (HD). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Can I watch Compulsion for free in the United States?

Watch the movie free with ads on Prime Video (HD) and Tubi TV.