Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 psychological thriller Rear Window, widely hailed as one of the greatest films ever made, is now available for streaming on BBC iPlayer. The film, based on Cornell Woolrich's short story It Had to Be Murder, stars James Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Raymond Burr, and earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director for Hitchcock.
A Masterpiece of Suspense
Released in 1954, Rear Window is considered by many film critics and academics as one of Hitchcock's finest achievements. The film secured the 42nd spot on the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Movies list and ranked 48th on its 10th anniversary edition. In 1997, it was added to the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Plot and Setting
The story unfolds almost entirely within a single room. A housebound photographer, recovering from a broken leg, spends his time observing his neighbors and becomes convinced that one of them has committed murder. This confined setting amplifies the tension and showcases Hitchcock's mastery of suspense.
Critical Acclaim
Upon its release, Rear Window received overwhelming praise. The New York Times called it a "tense and exciting exercise," while Variety lauded it as "one of Alfred Hitchcock's better thrillers." Decades later, Roger Ebert noted that the film "develops such a clean, uncluttered line from beginning to end that we're drawn through it effortlessly." On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 99% approval rating from 134 reviews, with critics concluding that "Hitchcock exerted the full potential of suspense in this masterpiece."
Audience Reactions
Viewers have been equally effusive. One fan wrote: "This stands the test of time. It really is what cinema should be. Entertaining, contemplative, gripping, and beautiful." Another said: "One of the master of suspense's most iconic movies for a reason. An almost 2-hour-long thriller that has great writing, fantastic cinematography and an incredible performance by James Stewart." A third added: "The immortal master of suspense strikes again and hits a home run. Rear Window is a unique masterwork of pure thrill and profound intrigue."
However, a minority found the film's pace slow, with one commenter stating: "Boring, slow and don't know why people call it a thriller. Buddy just sits and watches out a window all day."
Rear Window is now streaming on BBC iPlayer.
