In Cold Blood

The film could have come off as a cheap criticism of the society that drove the two men to carry out an act, it could have become a throwaway argument about the need for the ultimate punishment, or it could have been just a bland thriller about a heartless crime. However, if that were the case Richard Brooks would need not to direct it so shakily that his film would not be, like Capote's brilliant book, a "mere" non-participatory reconstruction with documentary authenticity, which also earns points in terms of the formal aspects (camera, editing). However, despite its apparent detachment, the film ultimately comes across as a pretty solid emotional wrench that evokes neither pity nor sympathy, but instead a cold sense of satisfaction, albeit one that is somewhat crippled. (05/04/2007)

At first, it looks like a chilling, almost documentary thriller, where we will be thoroughly nauseated by the pair of main characters until the end. But it's even more cunning. They're more malicious. Not that I liked Perry or Dick, not that I stopped feeling a chill or that I did not believe their story, but over time I learned enough about these two that their actions became tragic in my eyes, not only for their victims, but for them as well. And the inevitable ending certainly didn't bring any satisfaction, on the contrary, it just underscored all that ugly, sad hopelessness. Brrr. (12/11/2023)

A very sparingly made film that relies on the impactful reconstruction of a real brutal crime. The black and white camera dispassionately captures the perpetrators' narrative, the director uses mere hints where others would exploit the offered possibilities and realistically depict violence to increase attractiveness. It's exactly the kind of film that lingers with the audience for a long time and forces them to contemplate on the subjects of morality, guilt, and punishment. Well cast and performed. Overall impression: 90%. (30/11/2008)

The true story of two young people who massacre a family of four for a few bucks. Thanks to the black-and-white camera, the story feels like a documentary. The recollection of one of the killers about how the crime happened is extremely compelling. The director avoids direct depictions of violence, making do with hints, but these themselves are frightening. Everything is crowned with the final execution scene. Well, it wasn’t very good for my soul. (24/08/2003)

The murderers were cold-blooded and the system doesn't seem to bother with them, but that's not so important. I assume that there have been a greater number of similar cases. Murder for no reason, although it is true that there was a motive here. However, most of the motivation stemmed from the fact that the murderers were twisted in a certain way. It's hard to describe. They are real people, they act like real people, but at the same time, they throw everything away and do something incomprehensible. Why? There is probably only one answer to this question: Why not? It is difficult to find another one. The film is perfect in the sense that it presents the story absolutely raw, impartially, as it happened. We observe people, we observe their destinies, and we don't like either one. The death of the Clutters and the execution of the murderers. The second execution and its slow motion, the way the rope tightens, the body tenses up and then springs up, as if it were bungee jumping with a rope around the neck, is one of the most unpleasant scenes I have ever seen in a movie. By being truly the last scene, it only emphasizes the impression it has on the viewer. You will sit there stunned and surprised. Disgusted, but also with uncertain feelings. Did they truly deserve it? Everyone will find a slightly different answer. If there was to be only one film about someone killing someone else, it should be the film "In Cold Blood". Just as the murderers were cold-blooded and the people at the execution were cold-blooded, the film is cold-blooded as well. The black and white suits it perfectly. (19/11/2013)