Dial M for Murder
Rent/Purchase
When her American lover visits London, a wealthy woman’s jealous husband hatches a plan to murder her and inherit her fortune.
What critics thought
Generally well-regarded as a polished, almost theatrical Hitchcock — the real debate at the time was whether its staginess and dialogue-heavy structure undercut the suspense, or whether Hitchcock's camera craft and John Williams' dry detective work were enough to elevate the material. Contemporary notices were noticeably split, even if later reputation has settled more warmly.
“There are a number of basic weaknesses in the set-up that keep the picture from being a good suspense show for any but the most gullible. Via the performances and several suspense tricks expected of Hitchcock, the weaknesses are glossed over to some extent, but not enough to rate the film a cinch winner.”
Variety
“Hitch has a field day with his camera angles, darting our eyes now here, now there, doing tingling tricks with shadows and long longshots in quick contrast to fuzzed close-ups. It's the work of a master enjoying his script.”
Richard L. Coe·The Washington Post
“The characters are fitted to their situations, and hardly exist in themselves (nor are they enlivened by the rather drab performances of Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, and Robert Cummings); only John Williams' dry, sardonic police inspector has a touch of individuality.”
The Monthly Film Bulletin
“things speed up once the murder wheels are set in motion, and eventually the piece becomes grimly diverting”
John McCarten·The New Yorker
Genres
Crime, Drama, Mystery
Cast & Crew
DirectorAlfred Hitchcock
StarringRay Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams, Anthony Dawson
ComposerDimitri Tiomkin
Dial M for Murder
When her American lover visits London, a wealthy woman’s jealous husband hatches a plan to murder her and inherit her fortune.
What critics thought
Generally well-regarded as a polished, almost theatrical Hitchcock — the real debate at the time was whether its staginess and dialogue-heavy structure undercut the suspense, or whether Hitchcock's camera craft and John Williams' dry detective work were enough to elevate the material. Contemporary notices were noticeably split, even if later reputation has settled more warmly.
“There are a number of basic weaknesses in the set-up that keep the picture from being a good suspense show for any but the most gullible. Via the performances and several suspense tricks expected of Hitchcock, the weaknesses are glossed over to some extent, but not enough to rate the film a cinch winner.”
Variety
“Hitch has a field day with his camera angles, darting our eyes now here, now there, doing tingling tricks with shadows and long longshots in quick contrast to fuzzed close-ups. It's the work of a master enjoying his script.”
Richard L. Coe·The Washington Post
“The characters are fitted to their situations, and hardly exist in themselves (nor are they enlivened by the rather drab performances of Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, and Robert Cummings); only John Williams' dry, sardonic police inspector has a touch of individuality.”
The Monthly Film Bulletin
“things speed up once the murder wheels are set in motion, and eventually the piece becomes grimly diverting”
John McCarten·The New Yorker
Genres
Crime, Drama, Mystery
Cast & Crew
DirectorAlfred Hitchcock
StarringRay Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams, Anthony Dawson
ComposerDimitri Tiomkin
Rent/Purchase