Dial 'M' for Murder (TV Movie 1981) Poster

(1981 TV Movie)

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6/10
Dial P for Pointless
stwmby21 March 2021
A so-so, fairly competent update of the Hitchcock classic.

The film for some reason has been moved in time to 1963, which is fine by me - but seems a, little pointless if you're not going to bother dressing your cast in period clothing. Agreed, Dickinson does have a fine Dusty Springfield "do", but the gents all look to have been fitted out in a 1981 Moss Bross - Halliday doesn't even wear a tie, which just would not have happened in 1963.

The casting is less than satisfactory, Plummer does an okay but uninspiring job as the murderous husband; but Dickinson is totally wooden and passionless, as is the chap playing Halliday - and there is absolutely no magnetism whatsoever between these two

Dear old Anthony Quayle, love him, as fine an actor as he was - and he does nothing wrong here in the thankless task of recreating John Williams' Inspector Hubbard - sadly though, at 68 he's just too damned old for the part.

The film itself lacks the tension, the pace, the finesse, the pure brilliance of Hitch. Only okay if you've never seen the original.
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6/10
Mediocre remake of a classic thriller
jamescochrane5 July 2021
TV movies are often let down by their third rate cast, small budget and lack of attention to detail. This production is no exception.

As mentioned in an earlier review, the look of this production is very much 1980s instead of the intended 1960s. Why they can't put more effort into basic things such as hair cuts/styles and clothing is beyond me! It's just lazy not to.

With regards to casting, Dickinson, Plummer and Parks all needed to be at least 10 years younger. I've no problem with Quayle being 69 though - the more mature the better.

I too wondered why this version was set in 1963 and then remembered that is when the death penalty (an important part in the story) was abolished in the United Kingdom.

Also mentioned by another reviewer is the first half being far more interesting than the second. Unfortunately that is true in just about all versions of this film. The plot is plausible up to a point but by the half way point you have to wonder why the Police haven't started to think outside of the box a little more.

I actually think this story could play out better over three 1 hour episodes showing how the husband discovers his wife's affair, realising his desperate predicament, plotting to blackmail Swann and more cat and mouse between the husband and detective.

This version is watchable though and preferably at night time.
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6/10
Pretty good remake of a classic
gridoon20244 January 2024
This is a nearly line-for-line remake of Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 classic. It is drably shot (we're far from the Technicolor lushness of the original), and although the actors are good, especially Anthony Quayle as the wry Scotland Yard inspector, none of them really surpass their predecessors (the lover being the least interesting character in both versions). Yet the clockwork ingenuity of Frederick Knott's story comes through, and is more than enough to sustain it: I guess you can say it is foolproof. But if you DON'T know the story, better to start with the Hitchcock version and not get it spoiled by this one. **1/2 out of 4.
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7/10
It may not be Hitch behind the camera, but it was his protégeé!
mark.waltz3 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Director Boris Sagal actually directed episodes of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" as well as other classic TV before going on to be a prestigious director of TV movies and miniseries, so in my mind, he's perfect for this assignment, a beautifully done second version of the Broadway play. The original movie is popular with classic film connoisseurs but maybe not one of Hitchcock's most famous films (there are far too many that are more famous), and the film is more known for its 3D and future princess than as a genuine classic. It's slightly better than this version but I prefer Angie Dickinson over the icy Grace Kelly in the role of the potentially tragic heroine who is nearly murdered by assassin Ron Moody, managing to stab him famously with a pair of scissors which destroys husband Christopher Plummer's attempts to kill her.

Anthony Quayle, not a household name but a well-known character actor, is very good as the inspector who takes on the case, immediately suspicious of circumstances surrounding the attempted murder. Michael Parks takes on the supporting role that Robert Cummings played in the original, with Plummer even more sinister, if that's possible, than Ray Milland who was at his malevolent best as Kelly's husband.

The 1970's and 80's where shall twist remix of classic movies of the golden age, and while many of them are simply just mediocre and some downright bad, this one is successful because it doesn't try to copy the original or give us stint casting that in retrospect makes no sense. Dickinson, at her height as a maturing actress after "Police Woman" and "Dressed to Kill", goes from Michael Caine's psycho psychiatrist in "Dressed to Kill" to Plummer's murderous husband easily, and is quite good. It may not be one of the TV movie classics but it's certainly a well-done version of one of the great Broadway thrillers of the 20th Century.
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8/10
A Remake That Thrills!
FilmNoirOnline4 February 2007
Master TV director Boris Sagal brings us an excellent remake of DIAL M FOR MURDER. I haven't seen this but twice in 25 years, but I would love to see this making the TV rounds again or a DVD release soon.

We all know the story from the 1954 classic, but Christopher Plummer is nothing short of brilliant as Tony, while Angie Dickinson is perfect as Margot.

Generally not a fan of remakes - especially remaking films from the master of suspense, but Sagal puts it all together in a superb Made-For-Television classic back when the networks were still spending top dollar for Movies Of The Week.

Don't miss this one - if you ever get the chance(!)
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8/10
A good version...
dlynch84327 April 2019
Yes, give this a try. The Hitchcock one is very fine, but you won't be disappointed by the performances here, either. Some of the explanations of Tony's behaviour I found clearer. Good cast all around.
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8/10
Plummer is the best part
MissSimonetta12 February 2020
While not as compelling as Hitchcock's 1954 adaptation when it comes to cinematic technique, Christopher Plummer's turn as the socipathic but suave Tony Wendice makes this made-for-TV version of the perennial thriller classic DIAL M FOR MURDER worth a watch. It's not exactly a filmed stage play, but it's a hair away from being as such. It does try to "open up" the play by setting Margot and Max's conversation at a movie studio filming an adaptation of one of the latter's mystery novels rather than in the Wendice apartment, which I thought was a clever touch, playing upon the subtle meta elements of the original play.

As for the story itself, it's pretty much exactly the original play and/or the Hitchcock movie (which was adapted by the play's author Frederick Knott anyhow). I personally think the play's first half is more interesting than the second, since none of the other characters can match Tony for charisma or guile. But it is clever and twisty, and therefore enjoyable.
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10/10
Rarely screened, well worth viewing
PeterBradford19 October 2019
This TV version is captivating. The performances, particularly by Angie Dickinson and Christopher Plummer, are amazing. Angie made this film fresh off the success of DRESSED TO KILL, and she is strikingly beautiful. This is rare chance where a remake is well-worth tracking down and watching.
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9/10
Remake Better Than Original
CocoSea8 February 2022
Christopher Plummer's performance was excellent! His was the key that caught my attention and kept it to the end. Angie Dickinson did a wonderful job of portraying the helpless wife; shi did a better job than Grace Kelly in the original.

This film is better than the original and a must see for thrill, suspense seekers!
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10/10
This is very good!
RodrigAndrisan18 July 2022
Angie Dickinson is not what can be called an extraordinary actress, not even one of the best, she is just an actress. Not the same can be said about Christopher Plummer, he is one of the best actors of all time, in everything he plays, he super shines and eclipses everything around him. Here he also has a very good story, a solid script, as you rarely meet, he is the film in fact. He also has quality help from Ron Moody (the excellent Fagin from "Oliver!"), Anthony Quayle and Michael Parks. Boris Sagal, the director, did a very good job, the film is excellent.
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