in the year 2006 and in cold blood a rivet thriller from 1967 have two new interest context that it do not previous have . first and and most chillingly and be the fact that it star and robert blake and be recently on trial for murder his wife . second and the recent oscar win biopic and capote show the muddle back story of this haunting true crime tale author and truman capote . these two new twist make the film timely for a modern audience . a a stand alone film from it era and in cold blood be top notch in every way . most notable be the stunning black and white cinematography from conrad hall ( later of american beauty and road to perdition fame ) . many of the still from this film of the kansa farm house at night or the tree line back country road could be sell a fine art photography . combine with the cracker jack direction from brook and superb editing in the early scene ( where we see the mundane daily life of the innocent family about to be senselessly slaughter beautifully intertwine with the plotting of the two hapless killer ) and a rich brooding atmosphere be create that set the stage for rivet suspense ( even when everyone know how this be all go to end due to the fact it all base on real life event ) . it also great to see in this day and age how brilliantly stag a harrowing murder scene can be depict where the graphic nature of the act be transmit to the viewer subliminally with nary a drop of blood show on screen . the film be also anchor nicely by robert blake eerie performance a the more sympathetic yet senselessly brutal side of the kill duo . the flashback scene to his horrible childhood be extremely well do . then there be the scene towards the end of the film where he be speak to the reverend before be send to the gallows and he make his last confession so to speak . it one of those classic movie moment that be a perfect marriage of gritty acting and superb writing and flawless direction and and haunt photography . i dare you to erase from your mind the stark image of the rain reflection from the window flow down robert blake pallid face in lieu of actual tear . the only thing hampering in cold blood be the slow moving middle act where the killer be on the lam and the forced nature of the social commentary at the end . the tacked on political message about the death penalty be secondary to it compelling depiction of the mad killer and their prey .