Dial M for Murder
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Movie Reviews of Dial M for Murder
Movie Review: A suspenseful masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
Former tennis pro Tony Wendice found out many months ago that his wife Margot was in love with another man, Mark Halliday, an American author of crime novels. After many weeks of planning, Tony sets in motion the perfect plan to kill his wife. The only problem is, as Halliday unknowningly remarks, there's no such thing as a perfect murder, and when something goes wrong, Tony has to quickly formulate another plan to do away with his wife.
This is a classic of suspense from director Alfred Hitchcock, based upon a very successful stage play. All the actors - Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings and John Williams - all give fine performances, but Milland's as Tony Wendice is a standout. You're instantly won over by his conniving charm, and I admit to following his plan with a tiny bit of satisfaction. He's never over-the-top, remaining perfectly cool and collected even when things go awry. Hitchcock's directorial style also keeps the viewer confined to the apartment, only venturing outside very infrequently. As with the play, much of the action takes place in that small space, and Hitchcock uses it to his advantage with intricate staging and camera angles.
The DVD is wonderfully clear with sharp sound as well. The two featurettes are equally worth watching, especially the one on 3D. I never knew that the film was originally shot as a 3D feature, and this goes into some detail about how Hitchcock set up many of the shots without relying too much on the effects. Even as a flat screen movie, the film works perfectly. This movie is a genuine pleasure to watch and should be part of any movie buff's collection.
Movie Review: Superb and magnificent puzzle!
Summary: 5 Stars
Alfred Hitchock never created emblematic characters . For instance , an adultery commited for the wife of the intellectual murderer is the starting point to the story .
Through the film runs we tend to forget that initial premise and we defend the victim . The same mechanism is used in Psycho or Strangers in a train .
The remarkable point is interesting since it demonstrates that nobody is innocent , but less guilty .
Ray Milland is superb as the cheated husband , he will build a complex plan to convince and ancient schoolmate who actually is not a winner , showing him a picture from his school times (where we see once more to Hitchock in this , clear , funny and very often device from the suspense master)and persuades to him to murder his own wife .
All in theory seems to work out in a perfect level , but as always the human factor appears struggling the neck to the anticipated destiny.
Grace Kelly is extraordinary and to me , she never was best in any other Hitchcock film . The movie is loaded with ironical bits and the typical english clever humor .
And once the camera working around the hall in almost the eighty per cent of the film is another remarkable aspèct to celebrate .
The close up resource is perfect . Hitchock was always a master in this sense .
One of my timeless favorites .
Movie Review: Hitchcock's Economy, Humor and Skill
Summary: 5 Stars
As an old man I can say that Hitchcock is one of the greatest directors ever. As usual he only moves the camera, makes an edit, changes the point of view when he absolutely has to. That is not a stubborn laziness, but a clear understanding of what he wants on film and how to get it.
His technique of the one room, character helping character come out, every prop important and all for the sake of the story is fantastic. There also is his laugh at humanity thinking it can get perfection, albeit a crime, when there ain't no such thing. He also makes his point that us stuffy folk like the British Detective have a knack for truth.
We also see interplay with the reactions of players when they aren't speaking as important as the speeches.
The set is a set up for all Hitchcock's fun. The acting is 50's, but mostly good 50's and good to look at to remember that there is more to mystery than action.
Movie Review: Why is this not issued in 3-D?
Summary: 5 Stars
I think it is unfair to review this as a "flat" film when it is Hithcock's (and Grace Kelly's) only 3-D film. The product info doesn't even say whether or not the release is the "left eye" or
"right eye" version.
Home 3-D technology is readily available (see, for example, the ultimate 3-D collection or IMAX 3-D releases to home dvd)and costs less than $100. The producers of the dvd could easily include the 3-D version as a bonus feature; once the encoding is done, the additional production costs would be next to nil, and the public could finally see this masterpiece as originally filmed. (With seeing Grace Kelly in 3-D as a very significant added bonus!)
I'd pay triple for that feature alone.
Movie Review: The perfect suspence movie !
Summary: 5 Stars
This could be the best Alfred Hitchcock movie ever made. Ray Miland does a terrific job being the mastermind criminal. Even though his plans get a wrench thrown in them every time, he rolls with the punches thinking up an answer for everything down to the last detail. I would recommend this movie to anyone for the intrigue factor. Alfred Hitchcock was the best, why someone thinks they could re-create one of his movies to make it better (Psycho) are out of their ever lovin' minds. He is the master. Watch it with all the lights out and no interruptions for the full effect. Creepy !!