Dial M for Murder (1954)

Genres

Crime | Thriller

Director

Alfred Hitchcock

Country

USA

Cast

Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams, Anthony Dawson, Leo Britt, Patrick Allen, Robin Hughes, Martin Milner, George Leigh, George Alderson

Storyline

Ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) blackmails an old college associate (Anthony Dawson) to strangle his wife (Grace Kelly), but when things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant plan B.

Opinion

A while ago, but considering how fast time passes I'm sure it was more than a year ago, I watched Andrew Davis's "A Perfect Murder" which was far from the perfect movie. And now that I've seen "Dial M for Murder", I can say it was an awful remake as well because Hitchcock's film is a tense, exciting and gripping thriller.

Sharing the same simple storyline of its abominable remake, this film actually has a more complex plot, filled with smart twists and it gets more and more interesting and appealing each minute. What makes it step up is the fact that it is not just a simple trying to get away with murder story, but a story that touches themes such as betrayal, passion and jealousy.

The characters aren't that deep or developed, but they are fed with witty and interesting dialogue and Hitchcock's dark sense of humour which make them way more interesting.

Just like most of the English filmmaker's works, "Dial M for Murder" also features a lot of tension and suspense, and a terrific atmosphere, and although it has some flat moments, overall it's very well paced.

And finally, there's the cast. Ray Milland is absolutely brilliant as the jealous husband who decides to commit the perfect murder, Grace Kelly proves she was more than just a pretty face, especially in the second half, giving a rather good performance, and Robert Cummings also does a good job as Kelly's lover. I only wish their relationship had been developed better.