Dial M for Murder (1954)

 Alfred Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder"

After watching Alfred Hitchcock's 1951 hit "Strangers on a Train," I felt that despite Hitchcock's technical brilliance, he never really has a good story as a foundation. However, after watching "Dial M for Murder," I found this only to be partially true. Sure, "Dial M for Murder" doesn't seem to have some deeper thematic resonance with 'the times' or hold some distinctly unique perspective about the nature of man. However, it's a fascinating film nonetheless. 

The film follows the carefully meticulous plan of Ray Milland's Tony Wendice and his plan to murder his cheating wife, Margot, played by Grace Kelly. Most of the film's action takes place in a single apartment. However, unlike his 1948 experimental film, "Rope," Hitchcock doesn't attempt any 'one-take' camera tricks. It is a simply shot and edited story as we watch Tony construct his complex plan, watch his attempt fail, watch his brilliant cover up, and then watch that cover up crumble at the hands of Chief Police Inspector Hubbard. 

Before being turned into a film by Hitchcock, "Dial M for Murder" was a successful stage play performed at London's West End in June of 1952 and then in New York's Broadway later in October. Frederick Knott, who wrote the stage play version also wrote the screenplay for the film. I suppose if there is anything deeper you could take from the story, its the tonal fascination with murder by the public at large after the war. Throughout the film, I wasn't sure if I wanted Tony to success in his plans to murder his wife. At times, I found myself rooting FOR his plan to succeed. Other times, I was rooting against him. Mostly, as a viewer, I found myself simply wanting this long and methodically planned out arrangement to come off as a success, not so much the literal aspect of murder. However, I'm sure that the film was a great litmus test for an internalized individual morality for those watching at the time. 

Even so, the film was fascinating. From the opening scenes in which we are given the basic plot notes, I became excited over the notion of watching this horrific plan unfold. I was gripped by the planning stages, the failed execution, and the almost-successful cover-up. At no point during the film did I ever feel bored. It was equivalent to watching a high wire act, on the edge of your seat wondering if the act will be a success. Because of the inherent suspense found within the story and script, Hitchcock actually doesn't need to do a whole lot to heighten this suspense. Obviously, he films the story with a sense of masterful command, brining out this suspense through his carefully crafted shots, but the engagement of the story happens inherently. Even Hitchcock himself would go on to say that the action wouldn't have been any less interesting if he'd staged it in a phone both. 

Because of the film's engaging plot and its Hitchcockian suspense, it is a thoroughly entertaining fair. The key word here is 'entertaining,' as the film fully serves this purpose. Sure, the film is nothing to grabs hold of the soul or examines the nature of human consciousness, but it does make for an enjoyable watch.