Directed by:
Brian De PalmaScreenplay:
Josh FriedmanCinematography:
Vilmos ZsigmondComposer:
Mark IshamCast:
Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner, Mike Starr, Fiona Shaw, Patrick Fischler, James Otis, John Kavanagh, Troy Evans (more)Plots(1)
Based on the novel by James Ellroy, Brian De Palma's THE BLACK DAHLIA stars Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart as a pair of LAPD detectives assigned to the most notorious murder in Hollywood history. De Palma takes things slow, spending a good 20 minutes establishing the relationship between Buddy Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, and their mutual love Kay (Scarlett Johanssen), before introducing the 1947 murder after which the film is named. In the haunting screen-tests left behind after her mysterious death, aspiring actress Elizabeth Short appears to want fame so badly she'll do anything to get it. Her pornographic film appearances, and a rumored affair with narcissist heiress Madeleine Linscott (Hillary Swank), provide just two clues in a sea of confusion. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Josh Hartnett
USA
Best movies:
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Oppenheimer (2023)
Sin City (2005)
Scarlett Johansson
USA
Best movies:
The Prestige (2006)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Aaron Eckhart
USA
Best movies:
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Sully: Miracle on the Hudson (2016)
Hilary Swank
USA
Best movies:
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Boys Don't Cry (1999)
Insomnia (2002)
Mia Kirshner
Canada
Best movies:
Murder in the First (1995)
Exotica (1994)
Anna Karenina (1997)
Mike Starr
USA
Best movies:
Goodfellas (1990)
Ed Wood (1994)
The Natural (1984)
Fiona Shaw
Ireland
Best movies:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
My Left Foot (1989)
Gormenghast (2000) (series)
Patrick Fischler
USA
Best movies:
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Ghost World (2001)
Speed (1994)
James Otis
USA
Best movies:
The Prestige (2006)
Stardust Memories (1980)
Dark Streets (2008)
John Kavanagh
Best movies:
Braveheart (1995)
Sinners (2002) (TV movie)
Inspector George Gently (2007) (series)
Troy Evans
USA
Best movies:
Demolition Man (1993)
Phenomenon (1996)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Rachel Miner
USA
Best movies:
Henry Fool (1997)
Alice (1990)
Joe the King (1999)
Gregg Henry
USA
Best movies:
Scarface (1983)
Payback: Straight Up (2006)
United 93 (2006)
Jemima Rooper
UK
Best movies:
One Man, Two Guvnors (2011) (theatrical recording)
Wives and Daughters (1999) (series)
Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989) (series)
Rose McGowan
Italy
Best movies:
Scream (1996)
Fifty Dead Men Walking (2008)
Planet Terror (2007)
Steve Eastin
USA
Best movies:
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Con Air (1997)
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Ian McNeice
UK
Best movies:
Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant (1998) (TV movie)
Jonathan Creek (1997) (series)
Conspiracy (2001) (TV movie)
Kevin Dunn
USA
Best movies:
Warrior (2011)
The Night Of (2016) (series)
Mississippi Burning (1988)
Brian De Palma
USA
Best movies:
Greetings (1968)
The Black Dahlia (2006)
k.d. lang
Canada
Best movies:
The Last Don (1997) (series)
The Black Dahlia (2006)
Eye of the Beholder (1999)