Rear Window is one of four Alfred Hitchcock films in the top 100, clearly a testament to the man’s directing ability.
The premise of Rear Window is quite simple. James Stewart plays L.B Jefferies, a photographer who breaks his leg on assignment and so is wheerchair bound with his leg in plaster. To help pass the time, he sits at his apartment window and idly gazes as his fellow neighbours. He witnesses strange goings on at one apartment opposite his and suspects the worst. He manages to drag in his girlfriend, played by the stunning Grace Kelly, and his nurse played by Thelma Ritter who for me is the star of the film! Between the three of them, suspicions grow, only tempered by James Stewart’s policeman friend, Wendell Corey, who’s investigations lead to contradict James Stewart’s beliefs, and also probably reflect those of the audience.
I looked forward to this film with great anticipation, however I feel somewhat disappointed. For me, the film never really got going. Nothing really seemed to happen. I didn’t feel any sense of building suspence, nor any nerves or trepidation, especially at the part where the man is returning to his apartment with Grace Kelly trapped inside.
The acting is fine, and as I say, I really enjoyed the humour provided by Thelma Ritter. It gained this film extra marks. One other thing that I really liked was the film set which apparently was the biggest single set ever made in it’s day. It really does seem like you are watching an apartment block in the middle of the day in a big city. I enjoyed the use of sounds, and music from piano.
This is another film whereby I can see why it resides in the top 100 list, however, the magic just didn’t work on me. The sense of disappointment I feel probably makes me a little harsh on the final score, but I don’t see how I can unfairly rate this film higher than it’s station. 
Rating: 4/10
Top 100 position: 15
IMDb: Rear Window
Buy it from: Amazon
Films remaining: 94
“Rear Window” is indeed a true classic. I watched this movie a few years, and I have to say that this film hold me in suspense; did he do it, didn’t he do it?
I didn’t realise that the neighbour block was in fact a set, very impressive. I agree with you Russell that the film doesn’t in fact ‘get going’, but I did find that the pace was preety linear throughout, until the last 10 minutes.
Personally, I wouldn’t had rated the film 4/10. I would give it 8/10.
Michael O.
January 2nd, 2005