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Crime of the Century

TV-MA 1996 1h 56m Drama List
Reviews 74% Audience Score 250+ Ratings
In the 1930s, the baby of famed flier Charles Lindbergh is kidnapped and murdered, and the public is desperate to find the person who committed this infamous crime. So when a bit of evidence seems to point to German carpenter Bruno Hauptmann (Stephen Rea), the trial moves forward, despite the cries of innocence from him and his devoted wife, Anna (Isabella Rossellini). And with the corrupt legal system looking for someone to pin the blame on, the future begins to look bleak for Bruno. Read More Read Less

Audience Reviews

View All (10) audience reviews
Jithin K I have heard some references to the Lindbergh baby in some TV shows even though I don't remember exactly where. Here, the film mostly centres around how the police and the attorneys pin it on an innocent man. The debate on whether he was actually innocent or not is still going on but even if the movie is largely fictional, the fact that the police left so many loopholes and manufactured evidence and witnesses is pretty evident. The movie makes a great case of how a foolish immigrant man gets caught up in this because of his foolishness and the police exploit it and pin everything on him. This being a TV movie, Isabella Rossellini playing the wife is a surprise. But most of the cast were pretty brilliant. The sad thing is the various techniques used by the police to coerce so many people into different situations are still a very real thing that we can't escape. The belief of some people being the primary reason others suffer is always an evil that humanity can't seem to stop, whatever kind of belief it is. The confidence of people who are wrong is always what the world relies on to maintain the status quo. The film could have been way better if it tried to be but as a TV movie, it felt it was limiting itself too much. Still, by the end, when the text appeared about what happened afterwards I really started to get emotional. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/09/24 Full Review Dammes H One of the best indie period piece films demonstrating corruption in the criminal justice system and immigrant fear mongering. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/26/22 Full Review Serge L Pas trop mauvais. Bonne re-création de l'histoire de l'enlèvement du bébé de Lindberg et de faire payer un innocent pour le crime. Le crime du siècle est en fait l'histoire du mec qu'on voulait coupable. Les vrais coupables ne sont pas inquiétés, évidemment. On est aux États-Unis! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/20/18 Full Review Audience Member Meh, by the numbers courtroom thriller. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member I actually thought this movie was good, Stephen Rea plays Bruno Hauptmann - the man accused of killing Lindberg's infant son. He is great and so is Isabella Rossellini. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Fascinating story! I didn't know much about the kidnapping so I'm glad I watched it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Crime of the Century

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1930s, the baby of famed flier Charles Lindbergh is kidnapped and murdered, and the public is desperate to find the person who committed this infamous crime. So when a bit of evidence seems to point to German carpenter Bruno Hauptmann (Stephen Rea), the trial moves forward, despite the cries of innocence from him and his devoted wife, Anna (Isabella Rossellini). And with the corrupt legal system looking for someone to pin the blame on, the future begins to look bleak for Bruno.
Director
Mark Rydell
Producer
Mike Moder
Rating
TV-MA, PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround