‘Magnificent’ thriller with near-perfect rating available to watch for free (Image: PARAMOUNT PICTURES)
Cinema enthusiasts have a narrow window to stream one of the most exceptional mystery thrillers ever crafted entirely without cost.
The iconic 1954 production featuring two legendary stars of the silver screen has recently arrived on BBC iPlayer, where it will remain accessible for the next fortnight.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window features James Stewart as L. B. ‘Jeff’ Jefferies, a photojournalist recuperating from an injury who develops an obsession with observing his neighbours while confined to a wheelchair.
When he grows certain that he has witnessed the brutal murder of one of his neighbour’s wives, he dispatches his girlfriend Lisa Fremont (portrayed by Grace Kelly) to investigate, resulting in some of the most nerve-wracking scenes in cinematic history, reports the Mirror.
Remaining the gold standard for cinematic thrillers even today, the AFI positioned Rear Window at number 42 on their catalogue of the 100 finest American films and secured the number 22 position on the BFI’s critics’ poll in 2022.
Rear Window is considered one of the best films of all time to this day (Image: PARAMOUNT PICTURES)
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It boasts a prestigious 99 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes with an remarkable 134 reviews and absolutely mustn’t be overlooked by anyone with an appreciation for vintage cinema.
MovieFreak.com said: “Rear Window is magnificent for a multitude of reasons.
“It has withstood the test of time, and no facet has lost an ounce of effectiveness. As a primer into Hitchcock’s vast, varied, and essential oeuvre, it is the perfect starting point.”
The Boston Globe hailed it “a movie that truly is a masterpiece”, while the Chicago Tribune branded it “one of Hitchcock’s finest artistic achievements and most popular entertainments”.
Cinema-goers have adored Rear Window throughout the decades too, with one IMDb reviewer describing it as a “first-rate thriller”.
An injured photojournalist becomes obsessed with his neighbours in this masterpiece thriller (Image: PARAMOUNT PICTURES)
“Having watched it for the second time recently, I was struck by how razor-sharp the film’s script actually was,” they went on.
“Sure, it didn’t have a big Agatha Christie-type mystery reveal; but the banter and repartee between the main characters was just so well-written. Of course, the film’s framing and camerawork is legendary (for good reason) and Grace Kelly has a luminous screen presence.
“Suspenseful, intriguing, and a film that shows off a master at the peak of his craft.”
Another devotee enthused: “Rear Window is a one of the more sophisticated Hitchcock films, and I will always consider it a masterpiece. It has tension, suspense, humour, has a strong voyeuristic tone to it and moves along at a good pace.
“The cinematography was truly excellent, dark in some scenes and beautiful in another. I have always considered Rear Window’s main merit to be the performance of James Stewart.
“The other performances go without fault either, especially from the beautiful Grace Kelly as Lisa and Raymond Burr in a chilling performance as ‘the villain of the piece’, Mr Thorwold. All in all, a must see for those who are fans of Hitchcock.”
Organising a classic film evening in the near future? Ensure you add Rear Window to your viewing list before it departs the free streaming platform in a fortnight’s time.
Rear Window is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.