Rear Window (Australia)
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See it! - If your nerves can stand it after PSYCHO!
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 115 mins
Retail Price: 34.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
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.
Special Features:
Theatrical Trailer
Directed By:
Alfred Hitchcock
Written By:
Cornell Woolrich
John Michael Hayes
Starring:
Raymond Burr
Thelma Ritter
Wendell Corey
Grace Kelly
James Stewart
Soundtrack By:
Franz Waxman
Music From:
Friedrich von Flotow
Leonard Bernstein
Director of Photography:
Robert Burks
Editor:
George Tomasini
Costume Designer:
Edith Head
Producer:
Alfred Hitchcock
Distributor:
Universal Pictures
Your Opinions and Comments
The entire movie was shot in a single stage, which was considered huge back in 1954.
The story is quite simple - James Stewart, who is confined to a wheelchair due to a leg injury witnesses what seems to be a crime that takes place in an apartment across the yard. Grace Kelly is there as well, as Stewart`s girlfriend. They both give superb performances.
While the story is intriguing and suspenseful, it`s hardly thrilling, and can mainly be appreciated historically.
The video transfer is good. There are no compression signs at all. While the movie is not clear of defects (dust particles, mainly), the restoration team has done a superb job in restoring the original color palette, which was lost due the original film`s dreadful condition.
The DD 2.0 soundtrack is ok. It`s a mono track played through the front speakers, so don`t expect any stereo effects (not to mention surround sound). The dialog is clear and there is no sign of hiss at all.
The menus are still with music.
The extras include over an hour of a behind the scenes featurette, which is truly good and informative (especially the part about the restoration process) and a photo gallery.
Bottom line - a true classic that may appeal to some people, but might bore others a little bit. All in all - the movie is quite enjoyable and it`s presented on a beautiful disk.