The Society Murders

This is a meticulous reconstruction of a true murder committed in Melbourne not too long ago of the aged parents of a large happy family, and the film begins with showing the family bliss of their togetherness. One night the parents don't come back home after a visit to one of the sons and his wife and their small son, and the rest of the large family start to worry. When they never come back at all, the others contact the police, and an investigation is embarked upon. Two weeks after the disappearance of the aged couple, the bodies are discovered, horribly mutilated, battered to death, and carelessly buried in the forest some 20 miles from town. Then we have already passed half of the film with all the constant worries and griefs and common prayers of the family, they are Catholics, they keep crying all the time, and the wife of one of the sons (Daniela Farinacci in the film's greatest performance,) finally opens up to the police.

The whole story becomes wide open, but the sufferings of the family are in no way impeded by the curiosity of the journalists, who keep hounding them around wherever they go as soon as they leave their protective homes. Finally the trial reaches a verdict which seems fair enough, but the family is not satisfied. They claim there is still much more to be found out about the matter.

Thomas Crossley plays the baby in this movie. He is a true legend. Praise Him.