In Cold Blood

Note: If you know NOTHING about what this is about, and the murder it is set around, don't read this. But because I think most people already know the general facts, I've included some spoilers that people most probably already know, but not the crucial details, the ones that make this film, truly great.

Title: In Cold Blood
Year of Release: 1967
Director: Richard Brooks
Genre: Crime/Drama
Rating: 10/10

"I'd like to apologize, but who to."

In Cold Blood, an adaption of Truman Capote's well known book which details the brutal slaying of the Clutter family. Perry Smith and Dick Hickock the two who committed the crime went in with the hopes of leaving ten thousand dollars richer because Hickock, while in prison heard that the Clutter family had a safe, with ten thousand dollars in it. Instead they leave forty-three dollars (and a radio) richer.

I think this film builds up and up to show you Smith and Hickock as criminals, but not really as cold blooded murderers, it makes you sympathize with Smith the absolute most because he is complicated. He has fond memories of his mother, and at first all seems well on the front, but you quickly learn little Perry Smith witnessed something truly terrible, which would help lead him to the gallows. Also as emphasis, in the film, you hear two cops talking about some study of serial killers, and it was found they are usually those who had family problems, and Smith fell into that category for sure. He was not a monster as the media most probably portrayed him at the time. Nearing the end especially you really sympathize with Smith because (at least in my opinion) he doesn't really deserve the death penalty, though there is no doubt he deserves punishment, but not death. With Dick, it's a completely different story, but I won't go there, because I think that may spoil some crucial details.

My personal opinion is that not a single soul deserves the death penalty, I just don't think we have the right to kill, not any of us. Just because the government controls everything doesn't give them the right to murder. It's a major contradiction that defeats the purpose of prison. Prison should not be a place for revenge, or a temporary holding ground for the guilty criminals. Rehabilitation should be their only ambition, which a lot of prisons really don't aim to do, they just hold them in time out because they've been a naughty boy (or girl).

But back onto subject, at the end I don't think your supposed to feel and say to yourself "Those cold blooded bastards got what they deserved!" because what's the point in that? This is obviously a good film, anyone can tell that. It's quite complicated, but if it only aims to reenact, really, it's pointless. It certainly isn't one sided though, it's supposed to make you think, do they or do they not deserve being condemned to death, but ultimately, they don't. I think the name "In Cold Blood" is more of an irony, because that's how the media dubbed it, which in a way... it sort of is, but it's just not that simple.

Robert Blake plays Perry Smith and believe me in every sense of the word his performance is perfect. He captures every aspect no matter how big or small they were. The simple shakes of the last mile (I don't know if that's what they actually call it) and his final moments. The intense moments during the scene everyone anticipates. His character is a wide varied character, no doubt. I could probably go on for a while about what makes Perry Smith (be it the man, or the character) so interesting. Take my word Blake was the perfect person to play Smith, not only does he act beyond greatness, he looks very similar to the real Smith. Scott Wilson, who plays Dick Hickock does a great job playing an arrogant and seemingly cold blooded man.

As I've stated, this is quite a complicated film, with little things, though they very well could just a coincidence during the film making progress and the way it was presented, it's far better to think otherwise. The symbolic elements are there. Another thing that I really like is make you wait to see the murder. You see before and after the murder before you actually see the murder itself, which is so incredibly important in keeping your opinion clean and undamaged. Just so you know there is a lot I haven't commented on, most importantly the music and great use of black and white.

I haven't read Capote's "In Cold Blood" and I don't know a lot about the actual crimes themselves and how accurate this film is, but if this is as accurate as it gets, both as an adaption and a true story then this is so very good. It's brutally honest and unbias. As someone on IMDb wrote, this works perfectly with Capote, though I didn't watch it the day before or even remotely close before, Capote is a really good film which helps me base my opinion of the film as a whole. They both focus on different aspects. Obviously, Capote focuses more of the Capote/Smith relationship and you learn a lot about Perry Smith. If you liked Capote, I can almost guarantee you will love this, or vice-versa. A film that succeeds in my eyes on every level.