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!

I was interested to read the comments of US reviewers of this title, praising its period accuracy and attention to detail. In the UK we tend to take these 'costume dramas' for granted. Considering it was made in the mid-70's, however, the film still looks good and some of the principals look strikingly like their real-life counterparts (especially Ed Flanders as Hosea Knowlton). Only Lizzie's uncle John V Morse, who stayed in the Borden home on the night before the murders, is missing.

As you can probably tell by now I have quite an interest in the Borden case. I saw 'Legend of Lizzie Borden' when it was first broadcast and after 30 years I still think it offers as fair a reconstruction of the crimes and the trial as you can expect in 90 minutes.

The jarring notes are hints of Andrew being some sort of mild necrophiliac and having an incestuous or near-incestuous relationship with Lizzie. I don't believe there is any real evidence for either of these allegations. Much is made of the fact that Andrew wore a ring Lizzie had given him as a schoolgirl. In fact, at the trial, the undertaker Mr Winward could not remember if there was a ring on Andrew's body or not. This was rather embarrassing for the defence but didn't stop George Robinson making a big point of it during his closing address. (Much of the dialogue in the inquest and trial scenes is taken from the record).

It is probably more true to say that Lizzie desperately wanted Andrew to show his love for her. Instead, he killed her pigeons.

There are only two real flights of fancy: Lizzie stealing the axe from a store (she had no need to and, let's face it, it's a bit obvious); and the testimony at the trial that she tried to buy prussic acid the day before the murders. This is true, she did, but the evidence was *excluded* from the trial by Judge Dewey because the prosecution couldn't prove that Lizzie only wanted the poison for a criminal purpose. Wonderful thing, the law.

Much more revealing is the sense of Lizzie feeling stifled in a mean provincial household when she dreams of a life of travel, fashion and excitement. In the scenes of confrontation between the inhabitants of 92 Second Street, you get a real sense of the tensions that were building up in that confined space, a confinement that was spiritual as well as physical.

I once read a review which said Elizabeth Montgomery portrayed Lizzie as a "wide-eyed zombie". That can be dismissed as rubbish. This is a performance of tremendous scope, showing a Lizzie who was stubborn, vain, calculating, callous and yet strangely vulnerable (you can't help but pity her as she sobs over her slaughtered pigeons). She was a fascinatingly complex woman and this is as good a piece of acting as you will find anywhere.

In 1975 I remember the reconstruction of the murders being described as "overlong and bloody". How times change. I am sure these days they could be far more graphic and true to the brutal nature of the actual killings. Again the film is tempted to go too far by having Lizzie (or more properly Elizabeth Montgomery) strip off before committing murder. This could be one reason why there was no blood on Lizzie's person immediately after the crimes, but the pathologist at the trial stated that if the murderer stood astride Abby Borden, and the first blow that struck Andrew hit a major artery (killing him instantly and releasing blood pressure), there would be very little blood splattering around.

I have waited, and waited, and waited, for UK TV to show this film again. I recently managed to purchase a rare video copy. I am pleased to see that my memory didn't play me false. This is a superb production, a credit to its makers, excellently cast and performed which deserves to be shown again and given a much wider commercial video/DVD release.

I concur with the positive comments here about this well above average made for TV movie. A friend of mine recently got his hands on a video of the film, and watching it, a little over 30 years later, I still experienced the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.

Elizabeth Montgomery gives a powerful, cold and chilling performance as the legendary Lizzie Borden.

LOL, when my brothers and I watched this ABC TV movie back in 1975, they would literally freak me out by locking me in the basement of our home. Through the locked basement door, they would sing, "Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother 40 whacks...." Brothers - what can I tell ya?

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.

Who doesn't remember watching the world premiere of this made- for-television-movie on ABC back in 1975. This film stars the great Elizabeth Montgomery (who should have won an Emmy) as Lizzie Borden, accused of killing her father (and step-mother) with an axe. Liz, gives a powerful, understated, performance. What makes this film great is the way Montgomery can portray Lizzie in that subtle, cool way that is very effective. All the supporting cast including "Soap" star Katherine Helmond, are terrific (look for Gloria Stuart in a very brief appearance as a store customer watching "Lizzie" purchase an axe). This is a classic film. Get this on video, people!!