PRODUCT REVIEWS

DVD: Rear Window

Written by: Fred | April 2006

Don’t look for this one in the new release section of your local video store. Rear Window, Alfred Hitchcock’s classic suspense thriller from 1954 has withstood the test of time.

James Stewart plays J.B. Jeffries, a photographer who is wheel-chair bound and confined to his apartment with nothing else to do but peer out his window across the courtyard at his neighbours’ private lives. That is, until the day he sees what he imagines is a plot for murder.

Hitchcock deftly weaves a most entertaining tale of suspense and intrigue in this tightly scripted and often humorous film. But like most of its characters, Rear Window hides a secret beneath the surface: Hitchcock has created a film that is as much about the activity of watching films as it is about the murder mystery on screen. Just like Stewart’s character, the audience is plunged into the isolation of a darkened theatre, voyeuristically watching the private life of the people on screen.

The DVD is loaded with great bonus features, including a documentary that further investigates the film’s themes of voyeurism and the movie-going experience. It also includes interviews with Patricia Hitchcock O’Connell, the director’s daughter, John Michael Hayes, the film’s screenwriter, plus a few more interesting tidbits.

And by the way, Grace Kelly never looked better on film than she did here wearing all the wonderful gowns by Edith Head.

Rear Window is available at most DVD retail or rental locations. E-mail me at fred@shopaware.com and let me know if you found it as entertaining as I did.