An Allegorical Tale Of 50's McCarthyism

Rating: 10/10 (30 March 2006)

Hitchcock's masterpiece 'Rear Window'is a poignant example of how film can truly reflect a society and its questionable values. I think that for a modern viewer Hitchcock, through such films as 'The Birds'and 'Psycho' has attained a mythic quality of artisan beauty within cinematic dramas that analyse the social fabric of society.
When watching 'Rear Window', I was amazed at the allegorical depths that can be read through this amazing film. 'Rear Window' although in narrative, primarily focuses on the murder of Mrs Thorwald I believe the most socially conscious message discerned comes from the questionable investigate processes of vigilante L. B Jefferies. I think Hitchcock develops into a cinematic genius when one reads these questionable detective processes as an allegory for nineteen fifties McCarthyism. One could discern that Hitchcock has created 'Rear Window' as a monument to this oppressive period in American History and through the ineffectual Detective Doyle the last remnants of morality . I believe Hitchcock could be seen through Jefferies as utilising the camera (both on and off screen) as an ambiguous weapon against crime. However, it is the way we perceive Hitchcock's weapon against 'crime'; as either anti-voyeurism or anti-murder that will develop what message is received.