An incomparable masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (14 November 1998)

One of the most amazing films of all time. Hitchcock turns this thriller into something much more--a fascinating study of voyeurism with obvious ironic connections to movie watching. The way Hitchcock turns the rear windows in this courtyard into miniature "movie screens" is a technical and dramatic marvel. On top of this, we have one of the great romantic pairings of all time in James Stewart and Grace Kelly (in her best screen performance). Thelma Ritter gives one of her many great supporting performances. And though Raymond Burr has a small role, he still creates one of the screen's most unforgettable villains. (His "What do you want of me?" still gives me chills.) An often overlooked element in this film is the sound work. The way we hear the voices and music from the windows filtered into Stewart's apartment adds to the mesmerizing effect. If Hitchcock had made no other film but this, he would still be remembered as one of film's great geniuses.