Rear Window (Universal Legacy Series) |  | Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Actors: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
List Price: $26.98
Buy New: $13.49
as of 11/22/2009 06:45 CST details
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Rating:  335 reviews
Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.8
MPN: MCAD61102353D
UPC: 025195018258
EAN: 0025195018258
Theatrical Release Date: 1954
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
THIS TAUT SUSPENSE THRILLER REVOLVES AROUND A WHEELCHAIR-BOUND NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPHER WHO IS TRYING TO SOLVE A MURDER HE WITNESSED WHILE GAZING OUT HIS REAR WINDOW.
Amazon.com
Like the Greenwich Village courtyard view from its titular portal, Alfred Hitchcock's classic Rear Window is both confined and multileveled: both its story and visual perspective are dictated by its protagonist's imprisonment in his apartment, convalescing in a wheelchair, from which both he and the audience observe the lives of his neighbors. Cheerful voyeurism, as well as the behavior glimpsed among the various tenants, affords a droll comic atmosphere that gradually darkens when he sees clues to what may be a murder. Photographer L.B. "Jeff" Jeffries (James Stewart) is, in fact, a voyeur by trade, a professional photographer sidelined by an accident while on assignment. His immersion in the human drama (and comedy) visible from his window is a by-product of boredom, underlined by the disapproval of his girlfriend, Lisa (Grace Kelly), and a wisecracking visiting nurse (Thelma Ritter). Yet when the invalid wife of Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr) disappears, Jeff enlists the two women to help him to determine whether she's really left town, as Thorwald insists, or been murdered. Hitchcock scholar Donald Spoto convincingly argues that the crime at the center of this mystery is the MacGuffin--a mere pretext--in a film that's more interested in the implications of Jeff's sentinel perspective. We actually learn more about the lives of the other neighbors (given generic names by Jeff, even as he's drawn into their lives) he, and we, watch undetected than we do the putative murderer and his victim. Jeff's evident fear of intimacy and commitment with the elegant, adoring Lisa provides the other vital thread to the script, one woven not only into the couple's own relationship, but reflected and even commented upon through the various neighbors' lives. At minimum, Hitchcock's skill at making us accomplices to Jeff's spying, coupled with an ingenious escalation of suspense as the teasingly vague evidence coalesces into ominous proof, deliver a superb thriller spiked with droll humor, right up to its nail-biting, nightmarish climax. At deeper levels, however, Rear Window plumbs issues of moral responsibility and emotional honesty, while offering further proof (were any needed) of the director's brilliance as a visual storyteller. --Sam Sutherland
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 335
 Hitchcock thriller October 23, 2009
Tony Roberts (Bristol, United Kingdom)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Hitchcock films usually string the viewer along and slowly builds up the tension and suspense until a climactic finish. Rear Window is no exception and from a slow start we are gradually propelled along with the main character towards a confrontation with the man he's slowly realised has committed a murder.
The added ingredient is that he's wheelchair bound following an accident, and is unable to flee when events conspire to bring the two together.
The story is basic enough, and we get to see the neighbours of the courtyard which comprises the entire world of this film - with the sole exception of a glimpse of the outside strret through a narrow alleyway. Most of the neighbours we hardly meet close up, but they all have their own personalities and lives, and we only really see them through the eyes of the wheelbound voyeur.
James Stewart and Grace Kelley are the headline stars here, Stewart the wheelbound photographer and Kelley his glamourous girlfriend, but I couldn't help feeling they were mismatched and things didn't exactly gel between them, either on screen (at least to my eyes) or as characters. Also it was a little ponderous at times in getting to the point, and I felt my attention wandering on occasions while watching it. I was also a little let down at the climax when Raymond Burr's character finally confronted Stewart. It was certainly unrealistic and was like opening a long promised box of chocolates to find they had been crushed en route.
But as a suspense thriller worth seeing once.
 Great movie, great package October 3, 2009
Max Repooc (USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Rear Window comes in a nice jewel case that resembles the hardcover jacket of a book, it closes and opens with a click and looks good.
If you're searching for Rear Window to purchase, then you know why you're doing that--there is a lot to this movie. In class we watched and analyzed nearly every shot in the film. The point of the movie itself is to explore the very nature of the cinema-going experience. The viewer is essentially a voyeur into the lives of the characters onscreen exactly as James Stewart's L.B. Jeffries is a voyeur into the private lives of his neighbors.
Awesome!
HC
 1954 Hitchcock September 16, 2009
Dr. Feelgood (USA)
This film is somewhat like a theatrical play, in the fact that it is mostly filmed on one set, the apartment complex where Jimmy Stewart's character lives. In that sense, it is somewhat realistic in detail regarding set design, although, that might also be the film's drawback. You do get a real sense of the character, through his living environment, a character confined to a wheel chair, due to a broken leg. At times though, there's a lot of dialogue, and not very much action, like say, North By Northwest. So, if you are prepared for this type of film, then you'll enjoy, Rear Window. Also, featuring Grace Kelly, who's performance is as good as her looks, in this film.
Rear Window CD September 12, 2009
S. Bloomingcamp (Paradise,CA)
I have nothing but good things to say about my purchase. It was easy and I received it in excellent condition. Rear Window happens to be one of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movies. The suspense is fantastic and James Stewart and Grace Kelly are great!
One of Hitchock's Finest Thrillers August 24, 2009
Untitled (nowhere)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Back in my SeVen review, I recently felt a bit enlightned because I had just discovered the thriller. Now, a bit jaded from my experience and the thriller tag has worn off, I feel that thrillers can be pretty unthrilling and boring, Hitchcock's thriller's included. Sure, Psycho is not one of them, as it has many psychological aspects to extremely excite and create thought. However, some, such as the hugely overrated and boring Vertigo, are about as exciting and insightful as a seventh grade seminar on the five senses, not to mention that steaming pile of turd Knowing that I sat through. Just because you have characters with thoughts resembling pscyhologiy does't mean you movie will even be remotely thrilling or entertaning. More often than not, your effort will suck.
Not the case with Rear Window. Rear Window story is intrigiung, but Alfred Hitchcock's directing is probably what turns Rear Window into the voeyeristic, interesting thriller that it really is. I wasn't quite sure what to say about the filmmaking of Psycho, but Rear Window proves that the art of film making is what makes movies art. Furthermore, Rear Window's theme about reclusion and what it can do (including Voyereism) is a natural for such a intricate use of making movies, so it's themes are very much established by the movie making skills. Real art. The acting isn't stunning, but hey, it's memorable. James Stewart (also known for being in other classics such as Mr. Smith Goes To Washington) is very believable as the injury struck Jeffries, and the other characters are played right, with some interest going into the minds of each one.
It's not to say that Rear Window is all film-making backing up a flimsy murder story. Rear Window has a premise that is interesting enough. Rear Window deals with many themes about is pretty psychologically thrilling and can be even viewed with perversion (I think it was analyzed in The Pervet's Guide To Cinema). But the camera angles and the way Hitchcock directs is how Rear Window becomes a real thriller and actually let's you connect more psychologically with the character. Even the cast themselves were not directed by Hitchcock, as he only worked in the apartment of Jefferies (every other cast member in the other apartments wore earpieces) Special camera angles, certain things obstructing our view (delibaretly covered to make the movie build mystery) The whole thing makes the viewer, and not just Jefferies himself, seem like they are seeing and witnessing the murder as well. One view of this will show you why Hitchcock was a master director, and why film making and camera shots that some movie snobs point out actually help a story (if helps that the story is good yes, but fortuntately, it is).
The much lauded set is lauded for a good reason. It's actually quite pretty and even more visually stimulating to look at. It's a soundstage of New York City, and it's so well designed it deserves it's explanations on it's virtues. Right from the beautiful shots of the first moments, it's estabslished with very nostalgic architecture, at least for me, some kind of fantastic version of New York City, beautiful shots everywhere. Having an open window let's you see all of the neighbors, and it's somewhat amusing to see them, such as the athletic blonde and the musician that constantly plays all day (who was a real musician). What's also interseting is the sound design, which is designed so well that it's actually the real sound. There were no use of overdubs at all during the movie, a pretty smart move. HAll of it was I also like the soundtrack a bit as well. The jazz introduction is very good.
Rear Window, like Psycho, is one of those movies that I admire more than I enjoy. However, admiring a movie is a good thing, and yes, it is still entertaining. And I feel that Rear Window is another influence on one of my fav films, Blue Velvet. Rear Window is worth studying for any aspiring film maker of movie buff, or if not that, at least spend a couple hours with some suspense, character, and entertainment. In any case, I highly recommend Rear Window.
*B
Showing reviews 1-5 of 335
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