A great work of art! This film perfectly captures and tells the story of an entire neighborhood all from the perspective of a Mr. Jefferies. In my opinion, one of Hitchcock's finest creations!
Hitchcock at his best. Great concept and execution, sadly they don't make movies like this anymore.
3 Thoughts After Watching ‘Rear Window’:
If The ‘Burbs and Melrose Place had a baby.
I was surprised by the lack of a Hitchcockian twist.
All in all, it was an enjoyable film. It was interesting to see all the various characters in their own little worlds. The beginning was fairly dialogue-heavy, and I found the end to be somewhat anticlimactic, but Jimmy and Grace were fantastic.
A classic for a reason, Rear Window is nothing short of extraordinary. It's a slow burning anticipation thriller that feels anything but slow. Dynamic performances by both James Stewart and Grace Kelly bring light to the human condition in a way that is both inward and outward. The external threat perceived outside Jefferies' (Stewart) rear window is paralleled almost unknowingly by the internal conflict between him and Fremont (Kelly). That, paired with a diverse and meaningful cast — some of which never even speak a word — makes for quite a wonderful viewing experience that nigh everyone can truly enjoy.
Captivating and hilarious in the 1950's special effects kind of way.
Absolute masterclass. An old movie that you can enjoy as much as a modern one.
Hitchcock binds James Stewart to a wheelchair, deposits him at the picture window of a big city apartment and lets an idle imagination find its own drama. In this case, it's a murder most foul behind the drawn curtains of a neighboring unit. Costar Grace Kelly is refined and magnetic as the fashion conscious would-be fiancée; a model of smooth-talking elegance who, after initial doubts, is soon drawn into the intrigue of what's actually happened in that dark room across the way. After an argumentative start, Stewart and Kelly quickly settle in as a close-knit pair of obsessed observers, stoking each other's suspicions and inducing a steady shared vigil. The issue of their troubled romance is problematic, introduced in the first act and never truly resolved, but that doesn't bother me. I much prefer them as whispering cohorts with a gossipy secret, and the film already has more than enough subplots going on.
It's a steaming pressure cooker of a suspense story, one which encourages viewers to second-guess their impressions and then punishes them for doing so. Like a large-scale stage production, the entire tale is told against a single backdrop: an unusually busy, uninhibited residential block. Sir Alfred's aptitude for frugal filmmaking is on full display here, utilizing every inch of screen to fill blanks and enrich the environment. It hustles, it bustles, it stirs in the morning and settles down after dark. We get to know each resident, to learn their habits and patterns, just like Stewart does from his lonely perch. Perhaps a little slow and meandering to start, once the pieces come together and our well-meaning voyeurs take matters into their own hands, it accelerates like a spooked getaway driver.
The concept for this movie is really great, and the way it’s shot is so satisfying to watch. I did think some things were a little silly and didn’t hold up as well with time, but overall a great, original film and story. Amazing what Hitchcock managed to achieve, without ever leaving the same set. Brilliant! Also this is the first film I’ve watched with her, but I’m in love with Grace Kelly :heart_eyes:
An endless classic. Great acting
the most shocking thing in this movie is that Jimmy Stewart is so ambivalent about marrying Grace Kelly.
"Intelligence. Nothing has caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence."
First time rewatching Rear Window and it must been 10 years since I've last seen it? Anyway the tension when namesake Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr) approaches Jeff's (James Stewarts) apartment is incredible. The silence, the sound of footsteps, the desperation in Jeff's eyes. All incredibly done. Such a strong finale. Hatbox...
Rear Window is one of the best one-location movies ever made. If not the best. Just a single room with a view onto some other apartment windows. Miss Lonelyhearts, the songwriter, miss Torso, the couple with the dog that sleeps on their balcony and off course the newly weds. Even seeing these people doing daily stuff is made interesting by legendary Alfred Hitchcock. We even spot him with mr. Songwriter.
Besides all these people we have James Stewart, the most beautiful woman ever Grace Kelly and the witty and fun Thelma Ritter. And let us not forget about Lt. Doyle (Wendell Corey). Everyone turns in a strong performance. But like usually Mr. Every day James Stewart steals it in the end.
In the end it was a very, very satisfying rewatch and it contained just as much suspense as my initial watch. I still take my hat off to you Mr. Hitchcock! You are still my favorite director.
Hitchcock's peeping Jeffries here.Oh, the game of spying the neighbors and investigating while getting suspicious is universal.And Hitchcock built it up in a dramatic way here.
A great classic, a masterpiece both at the time and to this day. A thriller that keeps you glued to the screen for the duration of the film, where every minute that passes the plot becomes more and more intricate, always with more evidence but which are immediately disproved. The ending is unbelievably perfect, an anxiety on me that very few films have been able to make me feel
9/10
Story: 8/10...love the premise and the small container of in which the story plays out. One backyard shared by a dozen or so tenants. One week of action. One grand narrative with a few interesting side-narratives to make it interesting. Only complaint is that it all wrapped up so quickly with a neat little bow on top. And Jeffries' paranoia and chauvinism is rewarded in the end. Blah.
Dialogue: 9/10...funny, intriguing, with a deep sea of meaning hidden beneath the surface of the words.
Performances: 8/10...basically a stageplay on screen, which delivered some pretty predictable stage-acting performances from several characters. Kelly and Stewart are phenomenal (Kelly especially), but the other characters all LOOK like they are acting.
Misc.: 10/10...Hitchcock is just masterful with the camerawork, editing, score, lighting. All the subtle stuff you aren't supposed to notice isn't noticeable, which is what makes it noteworthy! Phenomenal directing.
Overall: 9/10...a few parts age quite poorly, but it's clearly a masterpiece and the inspiration for so many single-set movies that followed in it's wake.
A classic, one of the best ones.
"A perverse celebration of the thrill of voyeurism."
Rear Window primarily focuses on voyeurism, but not wholly on the obvious kind. Jeffries' leg injury provokes his sexual deprivation, and the relief he finds through spying on neighbours through his camera and binoculars ends up being more satisfying than the actual pleasure. Ultimately pornography is shown as ubiquitous, and this is made clear in a discussion between Jefferies and Stella. Stella's dated ideas of romance work as a humorous counterpoint to Jefferies' more realistic expectations. Joined by the chic Lisa, the three weave a homicide conspiracy out of their rear window spying. In a typical Hitchcock twist of irony, the characters end up being right, and Jefferies is thrown out of his window, for the film to end on him remaining housebound for even longer due to another injury, and learning absolutely nothing and destined to repeat the process again.
Then you realize the whole film took place in one room.
You can keep Vertigo and Psycho. Whilst perhaps the cinematography doesn't match those other Hitchcock titans, Rear Window is easily the most compelling Hitchcock film I've seen yet, with its themes frighteningly remaining very modern.
Classic, though the storyline is a little boring than his others classic works but I never watch a movie like this and in this point of view, so special. Obba hitchcock style!
Top 3 Hitchcock for me--brilliant use of set design, stunning cast (God, Grace Kelly in this movie), and an absolute masterclass in building tension. It's perfect.
The brilliant director's ode to voyeurism.
Such a unique movie with great performances. I would love to see a modern twist on this one. That would really be something. I’m sure of it!
If I hadn't been told that this movie was a classic, I never would have guessed. Sure, it is a visually stunning film. The world that Hitchcock creates is unlike any other that I have seen. But the movie itself is rather hokey, especially the ending. The movie is a commentary on our voyeurism - I thought that the ending betrayed that theme. This theme was done better in movies like The Conversation.
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As with any movie over half a century old, I was concerned with how this film would hold up. For the most part, I would say the answer is quite well. For the majority of the film, I was totally on board. The premise is a cleverly executed high concept, the dialogue is brilliant, and the performances are top notch. However, things fell apart for me in the final act. It felt rushed, the action/set-piece element is awkward and incredibly dated, and ultimately the payoff to 90+ minutes of build up was very unsatisfying. My expectations, which are undoubtedly influenced by modern filmmaking trends/techniques, are at least partly to blame. I wanted the story to surprise me, and instead I got a conclusion that boiled down to "James Stewart was right about everything".
Despite the underwhelming finale, I still enjoyed the film. The relationship and exchanges between Stewart and Kelly were a standout, providing a unique romantic subplot and a window into mid-20th century gender/relationship dynamics and expectations.
I just love this movie. My favorite of Hitchcock.
Song of the great director towards voyeurism.
Good dialogue and characters. Good acting. Good setting - no brilliant setting. Good story. Good subject matters and how it's given to us in a thought provoking and open way. A lot focuses on human nature and the norms as well as social observations. After a while the movie focuees on good suspense and mystery, especially near the end. Gokd pacing. The very end doesn't compare to modern action but it's to be expected for its age. It may be could have been smarter. Voyeuristic in nature? Yes but not in the obvious sexual or stalker way as you'd expect in film. For the main character it's more of a means to an end for the boredom which then leads down a path self justified intrusion. The other characters join him in more of a curious and nosey way.
Just picked up a great Hitchcock box set...revisiting my faves of his before watching in order. This one is a classic!
Very good film. Yet even by considering the different thinking of people at that time, compared to todays people, the movie has some flaws: The ending is good, yet a bit rushed, but with only the ring of the murder's wife, who also was illegally taken, so no evidence, the murder has nothing to fear. That said, no clue why the murder in the end attacks Jeff in his own home, and after that even tells the corpse place(s). He has nothing to loose (and if he would be such a nice person, nether done these things in first place).
Further more:
Lisa enters through the window, but cannot get off through the window!!?
And a human with only 1 brain cell, would close his eyes after the FIRST flash of light. (Is this a metaphor for a murder is no human???)
Paco film: Image 3,25 / 5 and sound 3/5. I liked it more than I remember, James and Grace very well
Classical sneak peak of our neighborhood - you never know what you can see ;>
Shout by DeletedBlockedParent2017-01-03T02:03:51Z
Rear Window is an obvious classic. The film is so well directed and well shot. The dialogue is very sharp and the story remains interesting even after 60 years. Its one of Alfred Hitchcock's best movies.