An auteur director whose name evokes instant expectations on the part of the audience, Alfred Hitchcock has long been known as the Master of Suspense, and is often credited with inventing the genre. Whether that’s true or not, he remains one of the most famous directors of all time, with an impressive oeuvre of over 50 films.
Hitchcock fans have long debated which of his movies are the best, and any list will certainly leave room for debate, but here are two films that are commonly referred to as Hitchcock’s greatest.
Rebecca (1940)
Based on the novel by Daphne Du Maurier, Rebecca was Hitchcock’s American debut. The psychological thriller is a haunting tale of love, betrayal, and obsession from beyond the grave. Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine give terrific performances, but it’s Judith Anderson’s portrayal of the sinister Mrs. Danvers that has gone down in history as one of film’s classic villainous performances. Rebecca is a gripping mystery that set the tone for Hitchcock’s legendary Hollywood career.
Rear Window (1954)
Voyeurism and obsession are at the forefront of this gripping tale of murder and suspense. Jimmy Stewart plays photographer L.B. Jeffries, who, after breaking his leg, is confined to a wheelchair in his apartment. Bored and restless, he begins spying on the neighbors he can see across the courtyard. After witnessing some suspicious and possibly deadly behavior, Jeffries becomes fixated on solving a crime that may or may not have taken place. Fortunately he has his stunning girlfriend, played by Grace Kelly, and his nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter) to help him out. Rear Window is widely considered to be a representation of the nature of film itself. The audience watches the hero watch the story unfold. Hitchcock limits the audience’s view to that of the hero. Confined to a chair, there is little that Jeffries, or the audience, can do but watch. A chilling film, Rear Window is a gem.
