DVD Review of Rear Window (Universal Legacy Series)

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DVD: Rear Window (Universal Legacy Series)
Rating: PG
Starring: James Stewart, Raymond Burr, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter
Written By: Cornell Woolrich (short story "Murder from a Fixed Viewpoint"), John Michael Hayes (screenplay)
Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Distributor: Universal Studios
Original Year of Release: Theatrical-1954
Extras: Audio Commentary, Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode: “Mr. Blanchard’s Secret”, François Truffaut Interviews, Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of the Master, Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary, A Conversation with the Screenwriter John Michael Hayes, Trailers, Production Notes and Photographs
Series:

DVD Review of Rear Window (Universal Legacy Series)

See the mirror not just the window

By Robert T. Trate October 24, 2008

Rear Window (Universal Legacy Series)
© Universal Studios

Alfred Hitchcock’s voyeuristic masterpiece, Rear Window, has joined Universal’s Legacy Series with a new two disc special edition. Jimmy Stewart plays Jeff, a photographer who has recently been in a car accident. Jeff has a broken leg and has to suffer the day to day boredoms of living in his apartment with nothing to do but stare out the window. Jeff has a great view and remains anonymous as he watches his neighbors with their day to day idiosyncrasies. There is a newlywed couple, Miss lonely hearts, Miss Torso, a musician, a sculptor, an old married couple and the Thorwalds. One night Jeff notices Mr. And Mrs. Thorwald fighting. The next day Mrs. Thorwald is gone. Where did she go and what is Mr. Thorwald doing with all that luggage? Alfred Hitchcock creates and incredibly intoxicating mystery as we are forced to witness all that transpires from Jeff’s point of view. Hitchcock not only takes this tale to new levels, exploring the perils of being a voyeur but creates a real sense of inquisitiveness, fear and apprehension for the audience. Rear Window is pure cinema shown to us by the master, Alfred Hitchcock.

There are several new special features to this Legacy Series DVD*. Film aficionados should take note of John Fawell’s (author of Hitchcock’s Rear Window: The Well-Made Film) commentary. Fawell is entertaining as he educates you about seeing another aspect to Hitchcock’s masterpiece. Throughout the film he points out not only the voyeuristic camera angles, synonymous with the film, but highlights the mirror that Hitchcock holds up to Jeff, Lisa (Grace Kelly) and all those across the way. Fawell brought much of Hitchcock’s details and costume choices to light that, with all the intrigue going on, most would fail to notice. This does of course play into Hitchcock’s intention of making us, the audience, the lead characters. To sit back one seat further and watch the watcher is the best way to appreciate the genius of this film.

The re-release trailer is not a new feature to a Rear Window DVD. It does however shine a great light on all the other Hitchcock and Stewart collaborations at Universal. Hopefully this is a hint of things to come and the Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) and Rope (1948) will soon join the Universal’s Legacy Series.

“Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of the Master” is a new special feature and short documentary about Hitchcock’s quest for pure cinema. Film critics, directors, editors, and sound designers look at Hitchcock’s use of the montage, chase sequences, point of view and his ability to make the audience assume the role of characters in his films. At the end the question has to be asked: Will there ever be a filmmaker as great as Hitchcock?

As it was with the other two Hitchcock DVDs in the Universal’s Legacy Series (see Psycho review and Vertigo review). Universal has included an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. “Mr. Blanchard’s Secret” is a perfect addition to the Rear Window DVDas it features a voyeur and playwright (Mary Scott) who believes that her new neighbor may have killed his wife. In this half hour drama Emily Neff’s story allows the audience and the playwright to create all the drama and murder in their imagination. It is only after reality mirrors fiction does the playwright start to doubt her own mind. Hitchcock is the host and his dry sense of humor not only opens the show but closes it as well. After all, how can we have anything from Hitchcock without seeing the master at least once?

*New to this edition are: Feature-length audio commentary with John Fawell. Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of the Master: A look at Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest sequences and the virtuoso filmmaking techniques behind them. François Truffaut Interviews Alfred Hitchcock: Excerpts from a 1962 audio interview with Alfred Hitchcock. Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock: An examination of Alfred Hitchcock’s innovative use of sound throughout his films.

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