Rear Window
From the director whose name means suspense comes a thriller whose name evokes terror - now available for the first time ever on DVD!
None of Hitchcock's films has ever given a clearer view of his genius for suspense than Rear Window. When professional photographer J.B "Jeff" Jeffries (James Stewart) is confined to a wheelchair with a broken leg, he becomes obsessed with watching the private dramas of his neighbors play out across the courtyard. When he suspects a salesman may have murdered his nagging wife, Jeffries enlists the help of his glamorous socialite girlfriend (Grace Kelly) to investigate the highly suspicious chain of events...Events that ultimately lead to one of the most memorable and gripping endings in all of film history.
Member Reviews
Great Classic - bbryon1
Laid up with a broken leg, photojournalist L.B. Jeffries (James Stewart) is confined to his tiny, sweltering courtyard apartment. To pass the time between visits from his nurse and his fashion model girlfriend Lisa. The binocular-wielding Jeffries stares through the rear window of his apartment at the goings-on in the other apartments around his courtyard. Of particular interest is seemingly mild-mannered travelling salesman Lars Thorwald who is saddled with a nagging, invalid wife. One afternoon, Thorwald pulls down his window shade, and his wife's incessant bray comes to a sudden halt. Out of boredom, Jeffries casually concocts a scenario in which Thorwald has murdered his wife and disposed of the body in gruesome fashion. Trouble is, Jeffries' musings just might happen to be the truth.A masterpiece - raingauge
This has been said to be Hitch's best - and there were many greats - and it is my favourite. Having viewed several of his early pieces, one can see the culmination of his art here. As a later film, it benefits from the beautiful clarity of the cinematography. Hitch was a master of the psychology and atmosphere of film in black and white, and titles like Suspicion and Saboteur make brilliant use of that medium. But colour film truly suits the very limited setting used in this film, which takes place entirely in one room of an apartment, and of course out its "rear window". Watching the movie a first time is a miracle in suspense: how Hitchcock pulled off such high tension with only the suggestion of violence is amazing. It makes the movie watchable for a family ( o.k., not young children, after all it's suspenseful and there's a bit of roughing up). If you can take it all in in one go, or maybe watch a second time, you can appreciate the art involved in using the limited setting. Take in the brilliance of the camera work as it captures the ice-water blue intensity of Jimmy Stewart's eyes or the full range of porcelain skin and golden blonde steel fragility that was Grace Kelly. Their acting is superb, and even as an historical piece how they relate to one another makes intriguing social commentary. The complexities of their relationship, the relationships of the neighbours, and the juxtaposition of these things makes this film a masterpiece.Window on the World - xenologue
Delightful characters and a witty script make for an excellent and suspenseful film. The main action takes place entirely in the same room, centering on a man who can't walk, but his view on the doings of his neighbours is action enough for Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly. Kelly is gorgeous, as always, and the two are well supported by the character of Stewart's no-nonsense nurse. Hitchcock keeps it all moving and interesting, alternating between long shots and close-ups through Stewart's binoculars and long camera lens.
Member Reviews
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Great Classic - bbryon1
Laid up with a broken leg, photojournalist L.B. Jeffries (James Stewart) is confined to his tiny, sweltering courtyard apartment. To pass the time between visits from his nurse and his fashion model girlfriend Lisa. The binocular-wielding Jeffries stares through ...A masterpiece - raingauge
This has been said to be Hitch's best - and there were many greats - and it is my favourite. Having viewed several of his early pieces, one can see the culmination of his art here. As a later film, it benefits from the beautiful clarity of the cinematography. ...Window on the World - xenologue
Delightful characters and a witty script make for an excellent and suspenseful film. The main action takes place entirely in the same room, centering on a man who can't walk, but his view on the doings of his neighbours is action enough for Jimmy Stewart ...