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James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr ... see more see more... , Judith Evelyn , Georgine Darcy , Sara Berner , Frank Cady , Rand Harper , Jesslyn Fax , Irene Winston , Havis Davenport , Bennie Bartlett , Iphigenie Castiglioni , Kathryn Grant , Marla English , Bess Flowers , Fred Graham , Len Hendry , Harry Landers , Alan Lee , Mike Mahoney , Eddie Parker , Ralph Smiley , Anthony Warde , James Cornell , Jerry Antes , Ross Bagdasarian Sr. , Dick Simmons

Laid up with a broken leg, photojournalist L.B. Jeffries (James Stewart) is confined to his tiny, sweltering courtyard apartment. To pass the time between visits from his nurse (Thelma Ritter) and his... read more read more... fashion model girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly), the binocular-wielding Jeffries stares through the rear window of his apartment at the goings-on in the other apartments around his courtyard. As he watches his neighbors, he assigns them such roles and character names as "Miss Torso" (Georgine Darcy), a professional dancer with a healthy social life or "Miss Lonelyhearts" (Judith Evelyn), a middle-aged woman who entertains nonexistent gentlemen callers. Of particular interest is seemingly mild-mannered travelling salesman Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr), who is saddled with a nagging, invalid wife. One afternoon, Thorwald pulls down his window shade, and his wife's incessant bray comes to a sudden halt. Out of boredom, Jeffries casually concocts a scenario in which Thorwald has murdered his wife and disposed of the body in gruesome fashion. Trouble is, Jeffries' musings just might happen to be the truth. One of Alfred Hitchcock's very best efforts, Rear Window is a crackling suspense film that also ranks with Michael Powell's Peeping Tom (1960) as one of the movies' most trenchant dissections of voyeurism. As in most Hitchcock films, the protagonist is a seemingly ordinary man who gets himself in trouble for his secret desires. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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62 critics

PG, 1 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Release Date: September 1, 1954

Keywords: suspense, suspenseful, old

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DVD Release Date: March 6, 2001

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Stats: 9,828 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (9,828)

  • fb1463751009
    September 17, 2012
    fb1463751009
    Hitchcock A.K.A. "The Master of Suspense". I came into this film thinking, "Let's see if he lives up to his title." Oh, he proved it to me, alright. What a craftsman.

    Unfortunately, a lot of thrillers and horror films fall victim to audience's expectations: "When're the scares c... read moreoming?"; "When's it gonna get exciting?". I feel bad for the directors; directors want to render an engaging film with character-building and narrative producing sequences, but because of these expectations, their films are quickly dismissed and concluded to be another failure. "Rear Window" is a blatant exception; this is a taut, near perfect film. Everything's directed with such finesse and precision from the intentional gradual build-up until the heart-pumping, tea kettle hissing, finale. Though it is a mystery and suspense film at heart, Hitchcock also delivers a character-driven, narrative-engaging thriller due to its ridiculously witty and razor sharp script. And because of its writing, no matter what may be happening in a scene, the film has a buttery-smooth flow that never dips. And once the climax hits, the tensions hitting all cylinders to bring an extremely immersive/claustrophobic experience. In other words, "Rear Window" is a love letter to suspense genre nerds.

    All the way through, "Rear Window" is an engaging masterpiece that's filled with symbolism, an engaging narrative, precise editing, beautiful cinematography, and tension-brimming scenes. There's no doubt in my mind that Hitchcock has earned his title as "The Master of Suspense" due to movies like this. Almost hitting 60 years old, "Rear Window" is the perfect example of how a well-crafted narrative never shows its age.
  • c0up
    September 17, 2012
    c0up
    'Rear Window'. The master of suspense in perfect control of his craft, focusing the lens on a subject that has been taken to the extreme today, and will only go further; voyeurism.

    "We've become a race of Peeping Toms" - Readers Digest, April 1939.

    Watching people when they fee... read morel they're safe, alone, in the comforts of their home, where they can be themselves. It's a perverted concept. It's also a darn intriguing one. "Mind your own business" doesn't really work too well against the curiosity of human nature, especially when the concept has essentially been flipped on its head in today's world of oversharing every little aspect of your life. Imagine someone looking at a Facebook feed for hours on end every day. Oh, wait...

    One scene later in the film when Ms. Lonely Heart enters her apartment with a new man, and Stewart and Kelly look on cheerfully, happy for the company she's received after her nights alone. She draws the blinds, a thought that occurred to her *just* in case someone might see the naughty direction the night was going on. They keep watching, and their happiness is shattered when the young man turns aggressive and is kicked out, leading to an even sadder Ms. LH. They take a moment to ponder what right they have to peer into the private moments of people, and are even considering laying off the case until we [oh yes, we're all part of it] hear that blood-curdling scream, sucked back in.

    Compare all this to the external, public perception Grace Kelly's Lisa puts forward to win over Jeffries, all the way to what becomes an extremely sad end in my eyes; Lisa pretending to read a book on foreign travel, believing that Jeffries is awake, and switching over to Bazaar when she sees him dosing off. My mind went instantly to the public face everyone puts on every day, for increasing minutes, to appease the social networks that consume us.

    All this and I haven't even talked about the utter charm of Jimmy Stewart, beauty of Grace Kelly, and mentioned once again the pace and direction of Hitchcock. We're all instantly part of the lives of everyone in that apartment facing the rear window, as the camera swoops and pans, giving us a snapshot across the day.

    I enjoyed the little stories I was seeing, grew suspicious as Jeffries did, and had my hand covering my mouth, reeling back in my chair, cursing Jeffries for putting Lisa, Stella and ultimately himself in that situation.

    Lucky we don't need to look outside a window when we're bored now. We have a million to look into from what you're reading this on.
  • garyX
    August 7, 2012
    garyX
    A photo-journalist laid up with a broken leg entertains himself by watching the daily coming and goings of his neighbours but mounting circumstantial evidence leads him to suspect that one of them has committed a grisly murder. Hitchcock was always the consummate voyeur and in Re... read morear Window he draws us into the realm of the peeping Tom as he teases and titillates with the smallest of clues and half-overheard conversations as helpless hero James Stewart pieces together a potential crime that could just as easily be an innocent misunderstanding. It's quite interesting how Stewart is immobile during the entire film and as such can be seen as one of the most "impotent" heroes you'll ever see. In fact he could be accused of emotionally blackmailing his would-be fiancee into taking all the risks on his behalf because of his stated inability to respect anyone incapable of withstanding hardship and danger. It's a fascinating snapshot of the America of the past as we see the everyday lives of ordinary folk as well as a taut and suspenseful thriller in which Hitchcock expertly cranks up the tension to breaking point. Classic film-making and yet another example showing how a great story expertly told never ages.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    May 31, 2012
    StarCrossedVoyager
    Hitchcock is most certainly a master of his art. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and despite the fact that I have seen the loose remake Disturbia, I was completely involved in the story and couldn't always guess what was going to happen. Fantastic performances from everyone and I real... read morely love the set. There's so much atmosphere in that first shot looking around all the flats and it tells so much. I believe that everyone creeps at some point in their lives, but this is exciting and fully rounded off. There's so much I love about this film and it is most certainly one of my favourites of Hitchcock.
  • paulkoh110
    May 16, 2012
    paulkoh110
    A masterpiece in cinema. I loved every frame and the auteurism shown by Hitchcock will make any film maker jealous. Amazing piece of film!
  • FiLmCrAzY
    March 30, 2012
    FiLmCrAzY
    I love Alfred Hitchcock he is a great director and makes really good movies, although this isnt my most favourite Hitchcock movie, it is still iconic and very uniquely impressive!
    Its suspenseful and seat gripping! A fan of Hitchcock then you'll love this movie!
  • ironclad1609
    December 7, 2011
    ironclad1609
    Classic Hitchcock thriller about a man with too much time on his hands, peeping at the neighborhood through his rear window. The film cleverly makes the audience his accomplice, sticking mostly to his point of view, with the adorable backyard making a very limited but special set... read moreting. The film takes its time introducing the protagonist, his views on marriage and the world and the people he is looking at. But once things get more interesting the movie defines the excitement of having to witness something without being able to interfere. It's fun to see how the film plays with the audience's suspicions, expectations and the peeping tom in all of us. For its time that was an outstanding and unique film, that feels dated now but still has its perks.
  • fb1664868775
    November 13, 2011
    fb1664868775
    As close to "a perfect film" as you can get. In Hitchcock's greatest effort, everything comes together. Spectacular set design, amazing performances and ofcourse Hitchcock's trademark pitch perfect suspense.
  • fb100002384654145
    October 31, 2011
    fb100002384654145
    A suspenseful yet very fun masterpiece. James Stewart gives a very charismatic performance.
  • fb729949618
    August 1, 2011
    fb729949618
    If you are a person who won't view an "old" movie, think again! Trust me this movie is just as exciting as anything made today. Hitchcock is truly a genius, no joke.

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Critic Reviews

Michael Sragow
March 5, 2012
Michael Sragow, New Yorker

It's one of Alfred Hitchcock's inspired audience-participation films: watching it, you feel titillated, horrified, and, ultimately, purged. Full Review

April 20, 2009
TIME Magazine

Just possibly the second most entertaining picture (after The 39 Steps) ever made by Alfred Hitchcock. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Of all Hitchcock's films, this is the one which most reveals the man. Full Review

Jeff Millar
July 21, 2005
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

The deliciousness of watching the film as it's intended to be seen is that the big screen gives Rear Window back its claustrophobia. Full Review

Glenn Lovell
May 28, 2004
Glenn Lovell, San Jose Mercury News

Don't resist the urge -- steal a peek at it now, and be reminded why Hitchcock is still without equal in the clammy thrills department.

Lisa Schwarzbaum
January 1, 2000
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Masterpiece of voyeurism. Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Belatedly, I'm nominating a film from 1954 as the best picture of 2000. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

One of the finest ever committed to celluloid! Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

In an impressive oeuvre, Rear Window is arguably the most exquisitely handcrafted feature, because Hitchcock mastered the spatial as well as behavioral coordinates of his chosen universe inch by inch. Full Review

Vincent Canby
January 1, 2000
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Its appeal, which goes beyond that of other, equally masterly Hitchcock works, remains undiminished. Full Review

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Facts

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    • L.B. Jeffries (Jeff): She's like a queen bee with her pick of the drones.
    • Lisa Carol Fremont: I'd say she's doing a woman's hardest job: juggling wolves.
    • L.B. Jeffries (Jeff): Who says I'm getting rid of it.
    • Stella the nurse: He better get that trunk out of there before it starts to leak.
    • Stella the nurse: I can hear you now, 'Get out of my life, you wonderful woman. You're too good for me.'
    • Lisa Carol Fremont: Why would Thorwald want to kill a little dog? Because it knew too much?
    • Lisa Carol Fremont: Where does a man get inspiration to write a song like that?
    • L.B. Jeffries (Jeff): He gets it from the landlady once a month.
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  • Who directed Rear Window and Vertigo?  Answer »
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  • A short paunchy man directed Psycho, The Birds, North by Northwest, Rear Window, Man Who Knew Too Much. Name him.  Answer »
  • Who directed Rear Window and Vertigo?  Answer »
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