Review of Rear Window (1954) by Tony P — 16 Nov 2015

1954 Alfred Hitchcock directed mystery thriller. Have you ever been annoyed at nosey neighbours?

I have. However this film alters your perception at what constitutes being nosey with your ethical obligations to report a serious crime.

The plot concerns a temporarily immobilised professional photographer LB Jeffries (James Stewart) who is confined to his apartment after having a leg in plaster cast after a work accident.

During the long summer days stuck in the apartment he bides his time watching the neighbours in the apartment court.

He becomes increasingly agitated and suspicious at the disappearance of a bedridden neighbour. The wife of a salesman neighbour Lars Thorwald.

Jeffries ends up escalating his suspicions to his girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly) and nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter) along with a police detective friend Tom Doyle.

Jeffries suspicions and theories begin to take over his daily life it seems. Nosey neighbour becomes obsessive compulsive disorder sufferer!

As the film progresses the guilt of Thorwald becomes clear despite the police officer's reservations leading to an action packed (this is 1954) finale.

The film has received worldwide plaudits and is rated as one of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest films.

The film explores such human behaviours as voyeurism and sexism (male dominance).

The film is simply made on one studio set enormous as it must have been.

Director Hitchcock really was a genius.