Vintage Hitchcock.

Rating: 10/10 (3 February 2000)

I was lucky to see Rear Window after it had been restored by the wizards who have restored such films as Vertigo and Lawrence of Arabia. The film looks great. You can see Lars Thorwald's lit cigar in his dark apartment and the sunset has color that hasn't been seen since the original theatrical run. The film will never age. Hitchcock's masterful direction draws you into the life of L.B. Jeffries and his confinement to a wheelchair. The only things we are allowed to see is what Jeffries can see. One stormy night, Jeffries hears a scream that sets his suspicions running. Did Lars Thorwald kill his wife? If not, why is he acting so strangely? Hitchcock pulls us deeper into the mystery the same way that Jeffries hooks his nurse and girlfriend. Eventually, they start doing all the footwork and all Jeffries can do is watch. The fun of Rear Window is watching the tension mount as Hitchcock work his cinematic touches to bring the fear and anxiety from the screen, and have it do a number on your nerves. A great film that will always be entertaining.