Alfred Hitchcock – Rear Window

Rear Window is a brilliant visual study of obsessive human curiosity and voyeurism. When it was released in 1954, Rear Window prompted a critic to complain that James Stewart’s character was nothing but a peeping Tom. Director Alfred Hitchcock responded: “Sure, he’s a snooper, but aren’t we all?….I’ll bet you that nine out of ten people, if they see a woman across the courtyard undressing for bed, or even a man puttering around in his room, will stay and look.” Bored out of his mind, Stewartís character passes his days essentially spying on his neighbors. Hitchcock shot the entire film (except for a small bit at the end) from the inside of his apartment, not allowing the viewers to see the people from any close shots. Rear Window was filmed on one enormous soundstage at Paramount, which at the time was the biggest set they had ever built. Hitchcock used this to get every shot lit precisely to his direction. The apartment buildings and courtyard that we watch are obviously a set, but it’s gives the film a awesome surreal quality. In today’s voyeuristic times (“The Real World,” “Cops”, ìSurvivorî), this film seems more applicable then ever. Hitchcock’s great thriller, received only four Academy Award nominations (winning none!): Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Color Cinematography, and Best Sound Recording. Rear Window is an entertaining and suspenseful masterpiece, a film of style and substance, and easily one of the best films ever made.