Rear Window - Collector's Edition (Two-Disc Special Edition) Reviews

On a psychological level it causes the audience to feel what James Stewart feels for the most part because you see what he sees; and therefore, the audience feels guilty for being curious like James Stewart, sometimes, feels. The voyeurism drags the audience in from the beginning right until the end, but the audience can't help but be captivated by what they (or James Stewart) sees out of the rear window.

The way Hitchcock puts his audience into an unusually enjoyable seat from beginning-to-end, is remarkable. Though he makes the audience feel guilty for being voyeurs, Hitchcock saves his audience from all of the shame and guilt with humor and comic relief that's added by the strange love-hate relationship between Grace Kelly and James Stewart. Thelma Ritter also adds humor to the film with her charm and, sometimes, brash honesty. She is the character that the audience wants to relate with the most because she's quite loveable and easy going. In a classic line, she describes her husband and herself as "a couple of maladjusted misfits." However, most of the audience can only bond with Grace Kelly and James Stewart because, like most people, they lead complicated lives and are very different maladjusted misfits, who aren't proud of it.

Sexuality in this film is also rather strangely unique because it's there, but it's not all there. Between the two main characters, the sexuality in Rear Window is still considered the most unusual in any film, which is once again, because of the odd love-hate relationship between Jeff and Lisa.

In terms of suspense, the master doesn't fail. In fact, some people argue that Rear Window is the most suspenseful film Hitchcock ever created, while others say it was Psycho. Either way, this film is one of the most thrilling pictures ever made, even by today's standards. The suspense is uniquely based around the most basic human action. The reaction. It's very simple suspense, and Hitchcock doesn't use the brilliant camera angles or pans that he uses in other pictures. The camera shows James Stewart watching a neighbor. The camera shows what the neighbor is doing. The camera shows Stewart's reaction, and Hitchcock's use of guilt adds tension to the suspense, which builds and builds until the climaxing moment when Lisa gets caught in the neighbor's apartment. Even the extraordinary climax uses the same suspense, James Stewart watching, James Stewart reacting. The genius story, wonderful actors, amazing set, stylish clothing, and the simple use of the cameras makes this film more suspenseful and terrifying than any other film of its genre, with the exception of a few other Hitchcock films. This film represents the genius in Hitchcock.

Rating: 5 - Suspenseful, Satisfying, Profound, and Comedic
REAR WINDOW is probably the perfect susense-mystery. Hitchcock includes everything in this very classy thriller with a involving romance between two compelling and enduring actors. With humor, style, directing, script, visuals, and thrills, this one leaves you with such a satisfying feeling that it is impossible not to smile- and think about the thought-provoking visuals and themes. Jimmy Stewart plays a man who is restricted to staying in his apartment due to being in a wheelchair. With a socialite girlfriend(the charming Grace Kelly) and a "wise" physical therapist(a endearing Thelma Ritter), Stewart investigates the strange happenings going on in the apartment across from his. As his interests grow, the trio goes through many hardships to satisfy their curiousness and prove their shocking theory. The movie is absolutely well-paced, the structure and plot/character-development becoming more and more familiar and interesting. Alfred Hitchcock wonderfully directs this film. He had worked with the elegant Grace Kelly once before and had many meetings with her to talk about this film. It was a pleasent surprise when he offered her the job of Lisa in REAR WINDOW. Alfred Hitchcock was the master of suspense and the avant-garde. Hitchcock was a very influential director, which he showed in this movie. Almost all the shots originate from Stwewart's apartment. Watch for him winding a clock in the musician/composer's apartment approximately half and hour into the movie. The music is done by Franz Waxman, the great composer of SUNSET BLVD., THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, Hitchcock's own REBECCA, and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Story by Cornell Woolrich, script by John Michael Hayes, and costumes by Hitchcock's staple designer, Edith Head. This was one of Hitchcock's most ingenious thrillers. This movie is also one of wit and subtleness. Stella, my favorite character, has two of my favorite lines- "We've become a race of Peeping Toms. What people ought to do is get outside their own house and look in for a change. Yes sir. How's that for a bit of homespun philosophy?" and "When two people love each other, they come together - WHAM - like two taxis on Broadway." Buy this movie and experience a classic film that overachieves almost every aspect a good drama and comedy suspense should do- will satisfy everyone from the thrill lover to the analyzer(a great film to pick apart like many other Hitchcock films), and from the people who want fun to people who want meaning and depth. Look for themes, but enjoy this Hitchcock vintage classic.

Rating: 4 - Hitchcock's Classy Voyeurism Thriller...
One of the joys of Alfred Hitchcock films is his ability to take social taboos, present them in an enticing context, throw in major stars we know and love to perform them, and thus make abhorrent behavior seem attractive! 'Vertigo' is the best-known example of this Hitchcock trait ('Psycho' also comes to mind), but 'Rear Window' is the most fun to watch, because of the appealing combination of James Stewart and Grace Kelly!

Stewart is a photographer, laid-up while recuperating from an accident (cleverly shown through photographs in his studio), who, out of boredom, begins spying on his neighbors. Jimmy Stewart a 'Peeping Tom'? Only Hitchcock could get away with this!

Of course, Kelly, as his high fashion model girlfriend, and Thelma Ritter (who is fabulous as his nurse), are appalled by Stewart's behavior, but are drawn into voyeurism by Stewart's devotion to it, particularly after he witnesses an apparent murder (committed by Raymond Burr, in one of the most wonderfully EVIL roles of his career!)

The film takes on a cat-and-mouse intensity, as Stewart attempts to prove Burr's guilt to his skeptical policeman buddy (nicely played by Wendell Corey). To add a touch of sexual foreplay to the proceedings, Kelly models a variety of '50s evening and nightwear, while teasing the injury-constrained Stewart ("Previews of Coming Attractions", she purrs). All this leads up to a fabulous, claustrophobic finale, with camera flashes, and a twist ending that is pure Hitchcock magic!

The restoration of the film gives the movie a clarity and modern 'feel' that viewers will love!

Watch this 'new and improved' edition, and see why 'Rear Window' is one of the most popular Hitchcock films!

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Rear Window - Collector's Edition (Two-Disc Special Edition)