Classic Hitchcock

Rating: 10/10 (23 May 2007)

This film is probably one of the best films from legendary director Alfred Hitchcock.
The film, based on a short story by Cornell Woolrich, concerns globetrotting photojournalist L.B. Jeffries who is stuck in a wheelchair in his small New York apartment because of a broken leg. With nothing else to do, Jeffries occupies his time by spying on his neighbours through the window. However, things take a sinister turn when he comes to believe he has witnessed a murder. With the help of his glamorous socialite girlfriend (Grace Kelly), Jeffries becomes determined to unravel the truth.
Technically the film is an spectacular achievement with the entire film, more or less, taking place in the cramped confines of Jeffries' living room, all we see of the neighbours are what he sees, each of them playing their own little dramas, with the windows acting like miniature screens. The acting is superb, especially from Stewart as the trapped voyeur and Kelly is perfect as his girlfriend. They are helped by great support from Thelma Ritter, as Jeffries' cynical nurse and Raymond Burr, as a sinister neighbour. The script is clever and witty and the whole production is brilliantly directed by Hitchcock.