Compulsion (1959) is an interesting twist on the infamous thrill killing "Crime of the Century" committed by Leopold and Loebin the 1920s. 
Historically, the case had influence in America in ending the death penalty for murder. Dean Stockwell and Bradford Dillman play the rich young degenerates who engage in the most shocking of crimes. Orson Welles plays Clarence Darrow, the defense lawyer who is responsible for helping them to avoid the hangman's noose. The award winning performances lead one through a thorough workout 
for the moral faculties on issues of captial punishment.
>> Real Life: James wound up in jail after killing someone while drinking and driving. He lost everything before things turned around for him.
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See the Clarence Darrow summation scene by Orson Welles in "Compulsion" (1959)