The Legend of Lizzie Borden

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The Legend of Lizzie Borden
title card from The Legend of Lizzie Borden
Directed by	Paul Wendkos
Produced by	George LeMaire
Written by	William Bast (screenplay)
Starring	Elizabeth Montgomery Katherine Helmond Fionnula Flanagan Fritz Weaver Ed Flanders
Music by	Billy Goldenberg
Cinematography	Robert B. Hauser
Editing by	John A. Martinelli
Running time	100 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

The Legend of Lizzie Borden is a 1975 television movie. It premiered on ABC on February 10, 1975.

[edit] Plot

The film, although based in fact, is a stylish retelling of the events of August 4th, 1892 when the parents of New England spinster Lizzie Andrew Borden were found brutally murdered in their Fall River, Massachusetts home. The subsequent incarceration of the prime suspect (Lizzie herself) as well as the coroner's inquest and trial are largely faithfully depicted, using actual testimony.

Where the film departs from the record is in speculative flashback sequences depicting what may have actually transpired in this (still) unsolved murder case.

[edit] Awards

The film won two of the five Emmy awards (Outstanding Costume Design & Outstanding Film Editing) for which it was nominated. Other nominations included Elizabeth Montgomery for Outstanding Lead Actress. Her portrayal of the famed murder suspect was a dramatic turnaround from the wholesome image she presented on the 1960's sitcom Bewitched. Other nominations included Art Direction and Sound Editing.

The film was also nominated for Best Motion Picture Made for Television in the 1976 Golden Globe Awards.