Movie

Compulsion

“THEIRS WAS THE PERFECT CRIME they thought! They were too sure...too smart...too careful to leave a clue -- but they did! and it exploded -- The shocking story of two teenagers out for kicks...looking for thrills...and finding them!”

★ 7.1(165)19591h 43m

Crime Drama History Thriller

▶ Watch trailer IMDb

Compulsion is available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube in Canada. It isn't on a subscription streaming service there yet. Availability checked 10 June 2026.

Where to watch Compulsion

🇨🇦 Canada

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Good to know

Director: Richard Fleischer
Release date: 1959-04-01
Runtime: 1h 43m
Language: English
Box office: $1,800,000
Budget: $1,345,000
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Studio: Darryl F. Zanuck Productions

Compulsion — trailer

About Compulsion

Compulsion is a 1959 movie in the Crime, Drama and History genres, directed by Richard Fleischer, starring Dean Stockwell, Bradford Dillman and Orson Welles. It has a runtime of 1 hour 43 minutes. It holds an average rating of 7.1/10 from 165 viewers. Below you can see where to watch Compulsion in Canada — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

Two close friends' plan to execute a flawless crime is crushed when one of them inadvertently leaves his glasses at the crime scene.

Cast

Dean Stockwell

Judd Steiner

Bradford Dillman

Arthur A. Straus

Orson Welles

Jonathan Wilk

E.G. Marshall

District Attorney Harold Horn

Diane Varsi

Ruth Evans

Martin Milner

Sid Brooks

Richard Anderson

Max Steiner

Robert F. Simon

Police Lt. Johnson

Robert Burton

Charles Straus

Wilton Graff

Mr. Steiner

Louise Lorimer

Mrs. Straus aka 'Mumsy'

Gavin MacLeod

Padua - Horn's Assistant

Themes & keywords

death penaltybased on novel or bookpolicephilosophychild murderbased on true storylawyercourtroomglassesarrogancesuspensefulsuperioritygay interest

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Compulsion in Canada?+

In Canada, Compulsion is available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. It isn't on a subscription streaming service there right now.

Is Compulsion on Netflix?+

Compulsion is not on Netflix in Canada right now.

How long is Compulsion?+

Compulsion has a runtime of 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

Who stars in Compulsion?+

Compulsion stars Dean Stockwell, Bradford Dillman, Orson Welles, E.G. Marshall and Diane Varsi.

When did Compulsion come out?+

Compulsion is a 1959 movie directed by Richard Fleischer.

What genre is Compulsion?+

Compulsion is Crime, Drama, History and Thriller film.

Who directed Compulsion?+

Compulsion was directed by Richard Fleischer.