The Legend of Lizzie Borden

This film is an excellent portrayal of the infamous Lizzie Borden Axe murders that took place in Fall River, MA. It is a "period" piece set in the 1800's and brags some very impressive performances by 2 actresses who are generally considered to be television actresses. Although, this was a made for TV movie it has many qualities to it that would certainly endear it to the silver screen. Elizabeth Montgomery puts on a very impressive performance as the main character but also Katherine Helmond is equally good as Emma Borden. This is, by far, the greatest movie performance of both of these actresses illustrious careers. The story is well put together, based on facts with some speculation toward the end of the film. As most people are quite aware, Lizzie was acquitted of the crime she was accused of but this film provides a logical conclusion and assumption as to what really did happen to Andrew Borden and his wife, something that is still speculated on today. The murders themselves were heinous and brutal and this film does not shy away from that but it does manage to avoid becoming exploitative with the subject matter as well. Definitely one of the best made for TV films in American history. If you are able to catch this film on television, and it does still air on rare occasion, be sure to watch it and if your lucky enough to obtain a copy of it, by all means do so!

"the Legend of Lizzie Borden" is possibly one of the best TV movies ever made! I DO NOT say this lightly! The filmakers have taken such care to recreate the tone and atmosphere of New England in the 1890s.It puts theatrical productions to shame!From the flawless photography,authentic props and scenery,masterful costume and hairstyles,and the documentary feel of the cool,muted visual design of the film.The viewer gets a rare look into the case of Lizzie Borden from both HER viewpoint and the viewpoint of the legend itself! The case story is by now well known (however legally"unsolved") Lizzie Borden is accused of a brutal double-murder of her father and step-mother.The trial and legal proceedings are taken (almost exactly) from the transcripts of 1893.The filmakers have introduced one of the theories of how Lizzie could have committed the murders without actually bringing it out in the courtroom(which it never was) This is done quite effectively through use of flashbacks and "daydreaming" and would not have been possible without the performance of Elizabeth Montgomery.She is alternatingly cold,fierce,manipulative,and above all believable as Lizzie ( the real Lizzie was heavier,shorter and not very pretty) Miss Montgomery makes one realize that there really WAS some magic behind that "witch twitch" we all knew from TV.

This movie is so fascinating on so many different levels. First, we have the brilliant Elizabeth Montgomery. Her treatment of "Lizzie Borden" is so perfect. The sets, the costumes, the acting, everything about this movie adeptly recreates 1892 Fall River, Mass. Even the set of the Borden house was recreated using diagrahms of the original house. While Lizzie never admits to the killings, we get to see how some people thought she got away with it. Interesting mix of fact and speculation. Quite graphic for a TV movie, we see blood splattered, axes swinging and glimpses of a nude Elizabeth Montgomery washing blood off of her body. The acting is top notch by everyone involved. This was an early role for Katherine Helmond (Who's the Boss) playing Lizzie's sister who doesn't know what or who to believe. Fritz Weaver is excellent as the penny pinching skinflint, Andrew Borden (Lizzie's father). Based on the political feelings about women at the time it's easy to see why Lizzie is acquitted of the crime. Still, the ending is quite creepy and the scenes that are speculated are fascinating to watch. Elizabeth should have won an emmy for this, I don't know what those voters were thinking giving the award to Katherine Hepburn that year. They should have had their SAG cards revoked. I hope they release this on DVD. Interestingly, Liz's nude scenes were edited for later broadcasts even though what you saw was tame by today's standards.

I love this movie for two reasons: a big crush on Liz Montgomery and an interest in the case of Lizzie Borden. I don't know how she got this role, but she quickly goes from a sexy witch into a very scary and unstable psychopath, a role she soon excelled in two other TV-movies. This movie is chilling as it recreates the murders and the actual Borden house's floorplans to document and terrify the audience with a pseudo-documentary feel and psychological touch of suspense. The other roles were filled with lookalike actors and forms the atmosphere that you are really there in Fall River as the murders and trial occur. Some of the historical facts of the case and some witnesses are omitted for a more clearer script and continuity. The film also seems to suggest that Lizzie could see her stepmother's dead body from the top step long before it had been discovered [the father had been discovered first and had been killed sometime after he had been noticed. The bodies were found in the reverse order that they had been killed.}. This movie does remind me a touch of Lizzie's male counterpart, Jack The Ripper, whose movie starring Michael Caine also used very speculatory data to deduce the killer. Both movies are very chilling and true to their period with very dark primal undertones. This movie is a bit more than a cult classic, it's a TV-movie that should have been released theatrically. Someone ought to get on the ball and put this out on video for more people to appreciate it.

Atmospheric, rather violent and shocking television-movie from 1975 didn't ignite a great deal of controversy upon its original airing, yet it is still quite potent and scary today (arguably, if made today, it would have to be a cable movie with a strict rating). Elizabeth Montgomery is chilling as Lizzie Borden, an unmarried 32-year old in 1890s Massachusetts, still living at home with her father, sister and stepmother, who wishes she could sleep with one eye open after claiming their house was broken into; soon afterward, her father and stepmother are axed to death in the residence, on an afternoon when only Lizzie and the family maid were present. The courtroom theatrics (including the examination of a too-clean skull) are underwhelming, yet Montgomery is riveting nonetheless, particularly in the well-staged final moments after the verdict is read. Memorably, straightforwardly played out, without a hint of camp.