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Rear Window (1954)

1001 Movies to See Before You Die (Schneider, J.S, Smith, I.H)

By Annie KapurPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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In this article, we will be looking at 2019’s book “1001 Movies to See Before You Die” and going through each film in a random order that I have chosen. We will be looking at what constitutes this film to be on the list and whether I think this film deserves to be here at all. I want to make perfectly clear that I won’t be revealing details from this book such as analyses by film reporters who have written about the film in question, so if you want the book itself you’ll have to buy it. But I will be covering the book’s suggestions on which films should be your top priority. I wouldn’t doubt for a second that everyone reading this article has probably watched many of these movies anyway. But we are just here to have a bit of fun. We’re going to not just look at whether it should be on this list but we’re also going to look at why the film has such a legacy at all. Remember, this is the 2019 version of the book and so, films like “Joker” will not be featured in this book and any film that came out in 2020 (and if we get there, in 2021). So strap in and if you have your own suggestions then don’t hesitate to email me using the address in my bio. Let’s get on with it then.

Rear Window (1954) dir. by Sir Alfred Hitchcock

In 1997, this Alfred Hitchcock film was added to the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress for being culturally significant. Honestly, I think it is a little late for this film because it is so incredibly good. Starring the amazing James Stewart and the breathtaking Grace Kelly, this film deals with one of the most complex projects Alfred Hitchcock has ever endured. It is filmed in around two or three sets and seriously, it only takes up one block of flats. I know, right? And we get this incredible point of view vision through the telescope James Stewart uses to spy on the other apartment. Based on a book called “It Had to Be Murder”, it deals with a photographer who is recovering from breaking his leg who is spying on his neighbour across the way with a telescope after becoming bored. He thinks he has encountered a murder as this neighbour becomes increasingly strange and unnerving. Telling his girlfriend, portrayed by Grace Kelly, she does not believe him at first but then agrees to help out. The only problem is, they have to draw attention to the man who is suspected of murder without him gaining any knowledge of what they are doing. It is a claustrophobic suspense story and is honestly just brilliant in every way. It is, to this day, one of my favourite Alfred Hitchcock films (after “Vertigo” (1958) obviously) and really, I cannot think of any claustrophobic suspense that is any better than this.

With only a one million dollar budget because of its simplicity, it went on to make over thirty-six million dollars at the box office, making it a massive profit and one of the biggest Hitchcock films in terms of percentage profit.

But again, what would it be if Roger Ebert did not weigh in on it? Well, here he is on reviewing the film almost thirty years after its release and honestly, I agree with most of his review and he states about the film that it:

“…develops such a clean, uncluttered line from beginning to end that we're drawn through it (and into it) effortlessly. The experience is not so much like watching a movie, as like ... well, like spying on your neighbours. Hitchcock traps us right from the first ... And because Hitchcock makes us accomplices in Stewart's voyeurism, we're along for the ride. When an enraged man comes bursting through the door to kill Stewart, we can't detach ourselves, because we looked too, and so we share the guilt and in a way we deserve what's coming to him.”

Here’s a fun fact: Brian de Palma’s film “Body Double” is actually based on “Rear Window” (1954) and is just a reworking of its story.

vintage
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About the Creator

Annie Kapur

190K+ Reads on Vocal.

English Lecturer

🎓Literature & Writing (B.A)

🎓Film & Writing (M.A)

🎓Secondary English Education (PgDipEd)

📍Birmingham, UK

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