Stage Fright
by Alfred Hitchcock
List Price:
Our Price: $11.35
You Save: $3.63 (24%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.72 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alastair Sim, Jane Wyman, Marlene Dietrich, Michael Wilding, Richard ToddDirector: Alfred Hitchcock
Brand: Warner Brothers
Cinematographer: Wilkie Cooper
Producer: Alfred Hitchcock
Writer: Alma Reville
Writer: James Bridie
Writer: Ranald MacDougall
Writer: Selwyn Jepson
Writer: Whitfield Cook
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 110 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-09-07
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Movie Reviews of Stage Fright
Movie Review: Lying Cheating Movie (recommended)
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll begin by saying the movie plot I imagined from the title was not at all what this was about. I thought someone in the audience would be throwing daggers at actors on stage. Suspense movies are better when the viewer knows little about them. The plot should unfold as though the viewer were one of the characters not privy to script previews. This allowed me to enjoy STAGE FRIGHT all the more
The only thing I did know is what I read about the camera 'lying.' My eyes were glued to every scene in an attempt not to miss such an occasion. I even played one section back in slow motion. Though some movie critics argue the merits of what Hitchcock did, I feel it enhanced the movie and cannot imagine its effectiveness any other way. If the technique was repeated by other directors/authors it would become trite (though a similar technique was successful in A BEAUTIFUL MIND) -- but in STAGE FRIGHT it is extremely effective -- placing you within the same frame of mind as others in the film -- and it enhances the Hitchcock conclusion.
I am happy that my expectation of a poor quality film transfer was erroneous as well. Contrast is great though there were a few voice synchronization errors (I thought the actors were speaking another language and had English dubbed in) and a brief moment of vertical film scratches that should be restored.
The Master of suspense does not lead viewers through nail-biting terror for the whole duration. Light-hearted character and plot development makes up the bulk of the movie. There are times when the characters do things that seem foolish. All such assumptions are neatly resolved in the chilling climax.
Movie quote: "I have a strong premonition that I'm going to behave like a fool."
Summary of Stage Fright
Jonathan Cooper is wanted by the police who suspect him of killing his lover's husband. His friend Eve Gill offers to hide him and Jonathan explains to her that his lover, actress Charlotte Inwood is the real murderer. Eve decides to investigate for herself, but when she meets the detective in charge of the case, she starts to fall in love.In suspense films characters frequently deceive one another. But can the camera tell a lie? This is one of the questions that Hitchcock takes up in Stage Fright (1950), and his answer has puzzled, infuriated, and delighted audiences ever since its initial release. Stage Fright is one of only two films Hitchcock made in Great Britain after he moved to America in 1940 (the other is Frenzy, his late masterpiece). It is also his only picture to star Marlene Dietrich, whose character's allegiances are even more ambiguous than usual.
Years after making Stage Fright, Hitchcock claimed that because the villains were just as frightened as the heroes, the film did not carry the requisite quota of menace. But it has received a good deal of attention in recent years and is worth a fresh look. The director did admit that he was proud of the movie's most astounding plot twist, though no commercial filmmaker since has been bold enough to let the camera lie so eloquently. --Raphael Shargel
Similar DVD Movies
Dial M for MurderWarner Brothers; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $5.98
Price in other shops:
The Wrong ManWarner Brothers; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $4.49
Price in other shops:
Strangers on a Train (Two-Disc Special Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $4.49
Price in other shops:
SpellboundSony; Release date: 2008-10-14; DVD
Best price: $7.19
Price in other shops:
Foreign CorrespondentMCCREA,JOEL; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $98.86
Mr. & Mrs. SmithTURNER HM ENTERTAINM; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $7.69
Price in other shops:
Shadow of a DoubtNBC Universal; Release date: 2006-02-07; DVD
Best price: $12.58
Price in other shops:
I ConfessWarner Brothers; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $7.50
Price in other shops:
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Hitchcock Thrillers (Suspicion / Strangers on a Train / The Wrong Man / I Confess)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2009-11-03; DVD
Best price: $7.54
Price in other shops:
Lifeboat (Special Edition)Fox; Release date: 2005-10-18; DVD
Best price: $6.41
Price in other shops: