Review of Dial M for Murder (1954) by Bob O — 13 Mar 2011
It has many of Hitch's famous tropes: the perfect murder, the tortured blonde, and several macGuffins, yet somehow it lacks the visceral thrills of his other work. Adapted rather strictly from a play of the same name about a man's plan to off his adulterous wife, Hitch compensates the film's one-room setting with many speculative re-framings and deep compositions.
Still, this is the famous director cooling his heels as opposed to rolling up his sleeves. I did enjoy the story's consideration of details as vital to any crime (or investigation) as the gently wife-killer attempts to stay one step ahead of the police.
Dial M For Murder is vintage Hitchcock, but more notably a preamble to his formula shattering greats of the later 50's and early 60's.
This review of Dial M for Murder (1954) was written by Bob O on 13 Mar 2011.
Dial M for Murder has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
