It surprises me that i might read a negative review for this film anywhere on the internet, let alone imdb. If you dislike the picture that is of-course your right, but allow me to highlight some of the lighter moments of the film.
The film is shot in eight takes of almost ten minutes each, some takes cutting to other positions in the scene, most zooming in a dark area (i.e. back of someone's jacket) and then pulling back into the new take.
The film watches very much like a theatrical play might, one continuous scene. We begin with the murder itself, in the very first scene. We follow as the murderers justify the crime (for our sake) and outline their attempt at social elitism by inviting the victim's family for dinner over the deceased's resting/hiding place.
The lighting and sets are wonderful. Watch for the subtle changes in the backdrop through the apartment window, updated each time for each take bringing us through late afternoon into early evening. Watch for the lingering camera on the chest as the maid gradually removes items from the chest in order to store some books (we know something will prevent her, the story must go on, but in Hitchcock fashion we are kept on the edge of our seats). And almost as importantly listen to the dialogue. Dozens of witty references are thrown about, none the least of which is the homosexual reading of the film and the dialogue ("You are so queer", "I felt nothing at all, until the body went limp... at which time i experienced a sense of jubilation", you get the picture... it's delish).
I truely consider this one of Hitchcock's greatest, truely an experiment that came off, and a must see (and study) for fans of Hitch.
The film is shot in eight takes of almost ten minutes each, some takes cutting to other positions in the scene, most zooming in a dark area (i.e. back of someone's jacket) and then pulling back into the new take.
The film watches very much like a theatrical play might, one continuous scene. We begin with the murder itself, in the very first scene. We follow as the murderers justify the crime (for our sake) and outline their attempt at social elitism by inviting the victim's family for dinner over the deceased's resting/hiding place.
The lighting and sets are wonderful. Watch for the subtle changes in the backdrop through the apartment window, updated each time for each take bringing us through late afternoon into early evening. Watch for the lingering camera on the chest as the maid gradually removes items from the chest in order to store some books (we know something will prevent her, the story must go on, but in Hitchcock fashion we are kept on the edge of our seats). And almost as importantly listen to the dialogue. Dozens of witty references are thrown about, none the least of which is the homosexual reading of the film and the dialogue ("You are so queer", "I felt nothing at all, until the body went limp... at which time i experienced a sense of jubilation", you get the picture... it's delish).
I truely consider this one of Hitchcock's greatest, truely an experiment that came off, and a must see (and study) for fans of Hitch.