He is the master of suspense. I began to show more interest in old movies a few years ago. I feel I can safely say that my knowledge of modern film is more than average (to stay on the modest side). However, I have difficulties keeping up with what is released these days, let alone diving into all of those classic gems. This series is dedicated to the amazing work of Alfred Hitchcock. We are hoping to see and review most of the 63 films he directed, if not all. We will start with the most famous and obvious ones and then dive into his rich history and more obscure titles…

If you’d read the synopsis of Rear Window, starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly, you would probably be utterly bored, as Stewart’s character never leaves the room. This is, however, one of Hitchcock’s finest films. I remember seeing this one years ago (as well as the TV remake starring Christopher Reeve), but when I re-watched it the other day, it felt like an entirely new experience. Unfortunately, my perception of the film had been blurred by all the spoofs and concept copies that appeared throughout the years.

Stewart plays L.B. Jefferies, a photographer restricted to a wheelchair thanks to a broken leg. As there is not much he can do, he spends his time looking out of his window into the various apartments opposite him. His girlfriend Lisa (a truly angel-like Grace Kelly), who also lives in the apartment building facing Jefferies’, visits him frequently. When Jefferies notices strange things happening in one of the apartments, he is convinced one of his neighbors has killed his bed-ridden wife. Jefferies starts to investigate the case with the help of Lisa and his nurse, Stella (Thelma Ritter).

The set for Rear Window was one of the biggest at the time and entirely built on an LA soundstage. The comfort of Jefferies’ room, gives the impression that all is safe, but simultaneously works to make it very claustrophobic and alienating. Besides the suspense, Rear Window also offers a close and social look on the things going on at your neighbors. The film is filled with a wide range of interesting supporting characters, including a ballerina and a composer.

This was Jimmy Stewart’s personal favorite and one of the best and most intimate Hitchcock films, even though its concept may sound quite limited, boring even. It is thrilling in its many facets. All the sounds you hear in the film derive from the variety of people living in the apartment buildings. The set was lighted with more than thousand lamps, suggesting the various stages of external lighting (dawn, evening, night).

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He is the master of suspense. I began to show more interest in old movies a few years ago. I feel I can safely say that my knowledge of modern film is more than average (to stay on the modest side). However, I have difficulties keeping up with what is released these days, let alone diving into all of those classic gems. This series is dedicated to the amazing work of Alfred Hitchcock. We are hoping to see and review most of the 63 films he directed, if not all. We will start with the most famous and obvious ones and then dive into his rich history and more obscure titles…

If you’d read the synopsis of Rear Window, starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly, you likely would feel utterly bored, since Stewart’s character never leaves the room. This is, however, one of Hitchcock’s finest films. I remember seeing this one years ago (as well as the TV remake starring Christopher Reeve), but when I re-watched it the other day, it felt like an entirely new experience. Unfortunately, my perception of the film was blurred by all the spoofs and concept copies that appeared throughout the years.

Be Sociable, Share!

•