Dial M For Murder

A husband who's planning to kill his wife, Dial M For Murder, adapted from a play, is another great Hitchcock classic with one of the best crime stories. Almost like a stage play itself, the movie unravels Tony's secrets little by little. Telling the story with his usual dose of suspense, as a viewer you're lured in into this mystery. Knowing Tony's the bad guy you wonder how and when the police will find out he's the one they're looking for. Almost completely told from the apartment where the crime takes place, as a viewer you keep anticipating on the things to come. Hitchcock knows eactly how to make a real treat out of a story like this, zooming in on handbags and keys that play a major part in the psychological tension. With Grace Kelly once again as his leading lady, it's hard to take your eyes off the screen. Always looking very sophisticated giving the characters she plays a certain charm not many actresses can, Grace once again steals the show. Ray Milland who plays the husband, also is great, making Tony a very likeable and charming man, even though he has the most evil plans up on his sleeve. Looking a lot like James Stewart, you can't help wondering though what this movie would have been like with not Milland but Stewart in the lead role.

What is it about?

Tony Wendice and his wife Margot seem to be having a perfect marriage living happily together in a beautiful apartment. However, this is only on the surface, as the mesmerizing Margot used to have an affair which has made Tony decide to murder her. Instead of carrying the plan out himself, he makes someone do it for him. On the night that the murder will take place Margot is left home alone while Tony and Mark, the guy she had an affair with, set out for a late night out. Having set up everything very carefully, going through every step of the plan, Tony seems to have figured out the perfect way to murder his wife. When Margot's lying safely in her bed, the guy Tony hired enters their home in order to execute the plan. Knowing that Tony will call to wake up Margot, the murderer hides behind the curtains behind the desk on which the telephone stands. However, when Margot is woken up by the telephone call, Tony's whole plan goes entirely wrong as it is not Margot who gets killed, but the man coming to murder her.

Final Verdict: ****1/2

A very pleasant movie, Dial M For Murder is a very good crime thriller full of exciting moments and a very solid plot. Having seen A Perfect Murder on Friday I was really hoping to get my hands on Dial M, of which the former is a remake. Happily surprised, this morning I found out the BBC was going to show it on television today, making it possible for me to compare the two. As with almost every remake, the original is the one really worth seeing and exceeds it's latest version in almost every way. This is also the case with Dial M For Murder, even though A Perfect Murder is very nice as well adding a lot of new twists to the story. Because of this A perfect Murder couldn't be called a real remake anymore, as it is almost an entirely different movie, which is perhaps one of the main reasons of also changing its title. With Dial M For Murder Alfred Hitchcock delivers another entertaining film that shouldn't be missed and that is a real fiest for every Hitchcock fan. Perfect for a night full of suspense, it's a sure hit.