I’m eager to see what happens! Compulsion comes from director Richard Fleischer and screenwriter Richard Murphy, who adapted Meyer Levin’s novel. The cast includes Dean Stockwell, Bradford Dillman, Orson Welles, and Diane Varsi; Lionel Newman composed the music and William C. Mellor handled the cinematography. The film draws inspiration from the actual Leopold and Loeb murder trial of the 1920s. Compulsion centers on Artie Strauss (Dillman) and Judd Steiner (Stockwell), two privileged young men trying to carry out a flawless crime—murder! However, things don’t go as planned, and they soon face a trial for their lives. Jonathan Wilk (Welles), a well-known lawyer, steps in to try and prevent them from receiving the death penalty. While some consider it a good film, Compulsion is one that tends to elicit strong reactions, which isn't surprising considering its focus on capital punishment. The narrative develops exceptionally well, with stunning visuals and pacing thanks to the director and cinematographer, alongside impressive performances by Dillman and Stockwell. Then Welles enters, tasked with transforming the story into a sort of protest against the death penalty. Welles’s performance has been met with mixed reactions from critics. Regardless of your views on capital punishment, he leaves a memorable acting impression. The audio could have been improved; Welles occasionally mumbles during his speeches. However, it remains captivating as courtroom drama, even if there's a slight letdown—a sense of anticlimax—following such strong buildup. It doesn’t quite convey the widespread attention surrounding the actual case, but it is still an engaging film and worth watching. 7/10

Source on TMDB