The Legend of Lizzie Borden

TV Movie
1975
TV-14
1h 36m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Elizabeth Montgomery in The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975)

In 1893 Massachusetts, 32-year-old spinster Lizzie Andrew Borden is put on trial for killing her father Andrew and stepmother Emma with an ax. The film explores complex family relationships ... Read allIn 1893 Massachusetts, 32-year-old spinster Lizzie Andrew Borden is put on trial for killing her father Andrew and stepmother Emma with an ax. The film explores complex family relationships and uses facts to provide a possible solution.In 1893 Massachusetts, 32-year-old spinster Lizzie Andrew Borden is put on trial for killing her father Andrew and stepmother Emma with an ax. The film explores complex family relationships and uses facts to provide a possible solution.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

2.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 2 Primetime Emmys
- 3 wins & 3 nominations total

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Storyline

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Trivia
Elizabeth Montgomery and Lizzie Borden were sixth cousins once removed, both descending from 17th-century Massachusetts resident John Luther. Rhonda McClure, the genealogist who documented the Montgomery-Borden connection, said, "I wonder how Elizabeth would have felt if she knew she was playing her own cousin."

Goofs
High voltage power cables on pylons can be seen on the hills behind the Borden house.

Quotes
Adelaide Churchill: Lizzie what's wrong?
Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Borden: Oh Mrs Churchill, do come in. Someone has killed Father.

Alternate versions
A European video release runs about 3 minutes shorter than the original American version One version shows a glimpse of Elizabeth Montgomery's breast while she is murdering her stepmother. Some prints have a different camera angle that does not show this. The closing credits of the American version says "A George Lemaire Production in association with" then fades to black and shows the Paramount logo while the end music is still playing. The European video release says "A George Lemaire Production in association with" then fades to black and does not show the Paramount logo. The 2014 DVD from Cinedigm uses the original American broadcast version.

Connections
Featured in The 27th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1975)

User reviews63

Featured review

7/10

Stylish, icy cold examination of a murderess

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.