Review of Rear Window (1954) by Renzo V — 05 Nov 2013

"Love Thy Neighbours".

Another suspencefull masterpiece of Alfred Hitchcock. With a perfect setting and clever storyline (based on the short story 'It Had to Be Murder') this 'Rear Window' from 1954 is a bit of 'Big Brother' avant-la-lettre, featuring the beautiful Gracy Kelly in one of her last roles. Hitchcock makes a cameo as the man who winds up the clock in the apartment of the songwriter. Influenced many movies, including 'Disturbia'.

Photographer L.B. 'Jeff' Jefferies is confined to a wheelchair in his appartment after breaking his leg. To pass time he looks out of the window to the courtyard and his neighbours. Because of a heatwave everyone has their windows open. Jeff likes to keep track of what the neighbours are doing and gives them nicknames. His nurse Stella and girlfriend Lisa (Kelly) find his new hobby a bit creepy. But one night Jeff wakes up after hearing a scream. In the morning he notices that the bedridden wife of juwerly salesman Lars Thorwald has disappeared. What happened to her and why is Thorwald being so suspicious? Using his binoculars and telephoto lens Jeff tries to figure out if his neighbour is a killer.