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A cameo of post-war England as seen through Hitchcock's eyes. This had been a favourite film of mine some 45 years ago and I bought it out of nostalgia, making excuses to myself when I thought I would be embarrassed at the dated content. To my delight, the film, while dated, remains gripping and filled with the Hitchcock brand of suspense. Yes, it shows its age, but it is still great enetertainment. The "perfect murder" goes wrong and the inevitable progress towards the capture of the would-be murderer, brought about by one small error. Excellent performances by Ray Milland and Grace Kelly on a single-set stage heighten the viewer's involvement in the drama. Sympathies swing to and fro but, like the chorus in a Greek tragedy, we are able to accept the inevitable outcome.
I am not what you would call a movie buff. In fact, I have really been disappointed by many movies recently...hype, hype, hype! All the best bits of the movie are shown in the commercials with nothing original and funny left to go and see. I also am a bit critical of 'older' movies...the audiences back then just weren't as sophisticated as today, and of course, how could special effects of 50 + years ago compare to computer graphics? Well, I recently watched the movie DIAL M FOR MURDER. I didn't know it was a Hitchcock. I didn't know of the "big name" stars in it. I just watched it, and honestly, didn't expect a lot. Boy, was I excited by what I saw!!! The movie starts off fast...there's a wife who has an affair with another man. While she's away, her husband recruits an old acquaintance and blackmails him into accepting a simple assignment - to kill his wife. Simple, as loving hubby has spent a year planning every last detail. But when things go wrong, hubby has to figure out a way to turn the events around so that he still comes out looking innocent. The movie is divided into 2 parts...Before (the crime) and After. Many people like the second part better (when the Inspector becomes a main character) but I thought both parts were equally riveting. While a bit unbelievable (I hope), it is conceivable, and really...it's presented so well that you're swept along for the suspenseful ride. I did not know that, originally, this was filmed in 3-D (a movie gimmick to lure TV watchers back into theaters). Once you know that, you can see how certain shots would have been very effective with that effect...it doesn't really change how you'd watch the movie, but the added knowledge makes you appreciate it more. I learned this info (and much more) from the very informative EXTRAS that were included on the DVD. I enjoyed them almost as much as the movie itself). Before I saw this movie, all I knew about it was that it was a Hitchcock murder mystery (not my favorite kind of movie) and I can still hear actor Phil Hartman (as Troy McClure) making reference to it as "Dial M for Murderessness", in a Simpsons spoof. Now I am anxious to see the movie again, as my eyes have been opened to a whole 'lost' era of movies. There's lots of action, suspense, romance...to use a cliche, it's a "roller coaster ride" of excitement! I was so into this movie and I couldn't believe it. I really enjoyed it, and I wanted to let others know that just because a movie is "old" and the stars in it may have passed on before you were even born, that does not mean that you should miss the movie.Read full review
This Hitchcock-directed film is a suspenseful, superbly acted film with an engaging plot. Ray Milland is excellent as a conceited, spurned husband whose sinister plan to murder his wealthy wife goes awry when she unexpectedly fights back. Grace Kelly plays the wife who finds herself on trial for murder whilst pining away for Robert Cummings, her mystery writing lover who is seeking to clear her name. Although Grace Kelly is beautiful and very natural in this role, and both Milland and Cummings deliver top-notch performances, the real star of the movie is John Williams, the unassuming, clever detective who determinedly gets to the bottom of the case and saves the fair damsel from the gallows. This movie is worth seeing if only for his performance. This is another of Alfred Hitchcock's gems and is a movie classic capable of engaging many.Read full review
This movie was adapted from a stage play and most of the action takes place in one room. But - you would never be bored with it - the characters and the situations completely hold your attention. It all centers about a key. Where is the real key that opened the apartment on the night of the murder.? This is Hitchcock at his best.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
An Oldie, but a really wonderful movie. The writer really put some thought into coming up with the twists and turns. Worth your time for sure. Another Excellent movie is Witness for the Prosecution.... a real stunner of an ending!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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