Dial M For Murder Review- By Michael Carlisle

Title: Dial M For Murder

Year: 1954
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Country: US
Language: English

Officially the Master of Suspense’s 45^th film, Dial M For Murder was originally conceived as a hit stage play by writer Frederick Knott.  Alfred Hitchcock adapted it onto the screen at a crucial time when he felt his influential power as a filmmaker was running low. While audiences of the time loved it, Hitch was not so pleased. In the book Francois Truffaut’s A Definitive Study of Alfred Hitchcock – a transcription of about 50 hours of conversation between the two- Hitch barely mentioned the picture, at one point describing his effort as “playing it safe”

Ray Milland stars as a former tennis pro who conceives a plot to murder his longtime wife (Grace Kelly) so he can collect on her insurance policy. However, when his plans go array he improvises a cunning plan “B”

 Most would disagree with the Director’s feelings on his own film; considering that most of the action takes place in one room, I’d say he pulled off a remarkable feat.  Hitch refused to “ventilate the play”, to extend the story beyond what the original writer intended, therefore he had to interact with the small amount of space given to him. A master with the camera, Hitch uses the lenses to manipulate our emotions. In one instance the room feels painfully claustrophobic, in another it reeks of murder, and in another a suspenseful telephone exchange leaves the audience out of breath.

The attempted murder in Dial M For Murder is as frightening as the Psycho shower scene, but I do not wish to spoil the film with too many details. It’s a shame that Hitch never truly saw the film for what it truly was: a masterpiece. Perhaps he hated the gimmick of 3D, which had not reached maturity by that time.  For a 50’s flick, it  hasn’t aged a bit. I highly recommend it. Praise it! 4.5/5