Rear Window

John Winkler

12/8/11

Title: Rear Window

Language/Country: English/United States

Runtime: 112 min

Release Date: 1954

Awards/Nominations: The film received four Academy Award nominations: Best Director for Alfred Hitchcock, Best Screenplay for John Michael Hayes, Best Cinematography Color for Robert Burks, Best Sound Recording for Loren L. Ryder, John Michael Hayes won a 1955 Edgar Award for best motion picture.

Rear Window

         “Rear Window” is an American film directed by Albert Hitchcock, starring James Stewart. It was released in the United States in 1954. It is a classic “Hitchcockian” thriller including all the genius that Hitchcock puts into making his films. There are many different ways to analyze a Hitchcock film, however the most interesting analysis for this film is the use of the film as a “metaphor for cinema.”

         The concept of Hitchcock’s film as a metaphor for cinema is seen in many of his films, but the prime example is “Rear Window.” The techniques used by Hitchcock suggests that “the patterning principle chosen…becomes autonomous from the film, in the process communicating a metaphor for cinema in general, which allows the spectator to identify with the point of view of the director.”(Sloan, 22) In general, this means that the film uses different techniques such as different shots, characters, looks, etc. to make the audience feel like they are watching the film through the director’s eyes. The best way to explain how the metaphor is being used is to analyze Stewart’s character, Jeff. To begin with, the audiences view is strictly limited to Jeff’s view, and often we see directly through his lenses. We are subliminally tempted to identify with Jeff, and this is because Jeff like us is the audience. “Jeff’s specific position in his apartment looking out on the different windows/screens is reminiscent of a viewer in a film theatre.”(Guypetersreviews.com)

         We the audience of the film, are made to feel like we are seeing through the direct vision of Jeff, who is in fact the audience of his own film. However, just how we are limited in vision to what goes on in the film by the director, so is Jeff. “The spectator is allowed to see only what the director wants him to see. The spectator’s vision is thus reduced both by Jeff’s lens and by Hitchcock’s camera.”(Guypetersreviews.com) Hitchcock’s camera is our director, and Jeff’s camera is his. “Rear Window is a lesson in cinema for the audience.”(Sloan, 23)

         In conclusion, Rear Window is a typical Hitchcock film featuring all the “Hitchcockian” ideals. However, this film’s use to “metaphor cinema,” is what one of the most interesting things to analyze. The film is very well-made, and if analyzed you can see the genius that is a “Hitchcockian” film.

        

        

        

        

                                                        Sources

·   "Misc.: Film and Psychoanalysis: Rear Window." Guy's Music Reviews!. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2011. <http://www.guypetersreviews.com/rearwin.php>.

·  Sloan, Jane. Alfred Hitchcock: a filmography and bibliography. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1995. Print.