The Boston Strangler – Review

This is the story of Albert Desalvo, the self-confessed Boston Strangler. As a TV plays in a home during an enthusiastic Boston event which welcomes astronauts Al Shepard, John Glenn, Gus Grissom and the rest of the crew of Project Mercury. A figure dressed in black sneaks through the home, rifling through drawers and cabinets looking for goods. The pride of the Boston event is a stark contrast to the chilling burglary, and murder which is finally revealed as the credits finish…

As police arrive at the break-in, they find a dead body. It has been four or five hours since this elderly woman was strangled, and detective Phil DiNatale (Kennedy) hits the grisly scene to investigate. As another homicide is discovered, it is another elderly woman in the same neighborhood. This time nothing was stolen, so are the cases connected? It seems like quite a coincidence otherwise.

Captain Edward Willis (Slattery) the press a few light details, but the reported notes that the women were both strangled with a double square knot, or a surgeon’s knot, which is uncommon. As DiNatale drops a teletype off to the captain, the message states they have found another 68-year-old retired nurse strangled. They have a full-blown maniac on their hands.

Attorney General Edward W. Brooke (Marshall) sets up a Strangler Bureau task force, and gets John S. Bottomly (Fonda) to lead the investigation over multiple jurisdictions. As the suspects pour in, the real killer goes unnoticed, for now…

The Boston Strangler covers a dark time in 1960s Boston, as a deranged serial killer terrorized women. The film runs at a slower pace than modern police investigative procedurals, but it also covers plenty of ground, including mental health. Morals and ethics are also on display as the police dig into suspects, and have to reconcile with the Strangler (Curtis) when he is found. This psychological aspect adds another layer to the film.

The script is based on a book, and it creeps along at an okay pace, however it is a touch long and slows down a lot in the second half. The chilling details included give it a ring of authenticity, and it is not a comfortable watch. The stellar star cast has plenty to do, especially Tony Curtis who delivers quite a performance. Part procedural, part chill-fest, part interview/newscast reproduction, The Boston Strangler is a strong mix of elements. The direction chooses some interesting shots, including split-screen progressions and intimate point-of-view looks. It’s well done overall and worth a watch for true crime film fans.

"Well, you know you can’t be too careful these days."