“The Black Dahlia”, 2005
Director: Brian De Palma
A made-for-TV movie directed by Joseph Pevney, this film offers a dramatized version of the Black Dahlia case, with Lucie Arnaz portraying Elizabeth Short.
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner, Mike Starr, Fiona Shaw, Patrick Fischler, James Otis, John Kavanagh;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,6;
“Black Dahlia”, 2006
Director: Ulli Lommel
Directed by Ramzi Thomas, this independent film takes a more artistic and experimental approach to the Black Dahlia story, blending documentary-style footage with fictionalized elements.
Starring: Elissa Dowling, Sutton Christopher, Christian Behm, Jack Quinn, Jed Rowen, Nola Roeper, Patrick Faucette, Laura Hofrichter, Johnny Holiday, Jeff Frentzen;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: horror, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 81 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 1,4;
Please note that these are just a few examples of films that have been inspired by the Black Dahlia case, and there may be other adaptations or documentaries on the subject as well.
“Films about the Black Dahlia case offer a haunting and gripping exploration of one of Hollywood's most notorious unsolved murders. Whether focusing on the investigation, the victim herself, or the cultural impact of the crime, these films delve into the dark underbelly of 1940s Los Angeles, where glitz and glamour masked a seedy world of corruption and violence. Through the lens of cinema, the Black Dahlia case continues to captivate audiences with its blend of mystery, tragedy, and the enduring question of who truly was responsible for the death of Elizabeth Short.”
