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Rear Window (1954)

Rear Window (1954)
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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 (Thelma Ritter) and his fashion model girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly), the binocular-wielding Jeffries stares through the rear window of his apartment at the goings-on in the other apartments around his courtyard. As he watches his neighbors, he assigns them such roles and character names as "Miss Torso" (Georgine Darcy), a professional dancer with a healthy social life or "Miss Lonelyhearts" (Judith Evelyn), a middle-aged woman who entertains nonexistent gentlemen callers. Of particular interest is seemingly mild-mannered travelling salesman Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr), 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. One of Alfred Hitchcock's very best efforts, Rear Window is a crackling suspense film that also ranks with Michael Powell's Peeping Tom (1960) as one of the movies' most trenchant dissections of voyeurism. As in most Hitchcock films, the protagonist is a seemingly ordinary man who gets himself in trouble for his secret desires. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
James StewartGrace Kelly, (more)
Director(s):
Alfred Hitchcock
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Synopsis of Rear Window

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 (Thelma Ritter) and his fashion model girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly), the binocular-wielding Jeffries stares through the rear window of his apartment at the goings-on in the other apartments around his courtyard. As he watches his neighbors, he assigns them such roles and character names as "Miss Torso" (Georgine Darcy), a professional dancer with a healthy social life or "Miss Lonelyhearts" (Judith Evelyn), a middle-aged woman who entertains nonexistent gentlemen callers. Of particular interest is seemingly mild-mannered travelling salesman Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr), 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. One of Alfred Hitchcock's very best efforts, Rear Window is a crackling suspense film that also ranks with Michael Powell's Peeping Tom (1960) as one of the movies' most trenchant dissections of voyeurism. As in most Hitchcock films, the protagonist is a seemingly ordinary man who gets himself in trouble for his secret desires. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
115 mins

Complete Cast of Rear Window


Director(s):
Alfred Hitchcock
Writer(s):
John Michael Hayes
Producer(s):
Alfred Hitchcock
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG(Mild Violence, Adult Situations)
Categories:
Mystery & Suspense
Rear Window Awards:
  • 1998 - American Film Institute - 100 Greatest American Movies
  • 1954 - Edgar Allan Poe Awards - Best Screenplay
  • 1997 - Library of Congress - U.S. National Film Registry
  • 1954 - National Board of Review - Best Actress
  • 1954 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actress
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Member Reviews
 
Gayla I.

Rear Window is not only Hitchcock's best film, it's one of the best films ever made, if not the best. This masterpiece is equally funny, romantic, and suspenseful, and is sure to keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat. This is a great film!

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Charles E.

This is a classic that's been copied and referred to many times in lots of other movies. One of Hitchcock's best.

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Walter G.

A classic. The scenary, the sound, and feel of the film take us back in time. Hitchcock keeps you guessing up until the final moments. If you enjoy cinema and story-telling this is for you. A great film for all ages. However, the movie is dialogue driven so younger than tweens may not understand the plot. Hitchcock also uses various shots that challenge us to pay attention to detail. He 'shows' us rather than 'tells' us. Steward and Kelly are superb together. There is a certain level of emotional and intellectual fulfillment one experiences at the conclusion. Great film.

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