James Stewart Essays

  • Post-War Paranoia In Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window

    339 Words  | 2 Pages

    “We’ve become a nation of peeping toms,” states James Stewart’s nurse, played by Thelma Ritter, in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film Rear Window. Ritter’s comment ironically foreshadows events later in the film, but simultaneously provides a critique of the voyeuristic nature of cinema itself. Rear Window’s marketing campaign and public reception both center on the notion of ‘peeping,’ but present differing standpoints on Hitchcock’s exhibition and apparent promotion of the morbid curiosity at the root

  • How Does Alfred Hitchcock Create Tension In Rear Window

    723 Words  | 3 Pages

    Alfred Hitchcock once said, “If it's a good movie, the sound could go off and the audience would still have a perfectly clear idea of what was going on.” This quote entirely sums up the reasons I loved Hitchcock’s movie Rear Window. Made in the 50s, this film revolves around L.B. Jefferies, an adventurous photographer who has broken his leg and is stuck in a wheelchair, watching his neighbours out his apartment window for entertainment. In his last housebound week, Jeff becomes convinced that a murder

  • Coloring In Alfred Hitchcock's Film Vertigo

    557 Words  | 3 Pages

    Vertigo Vertigo (1958) is about Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart), a detective who is forced to retire because of his fear of heights. He then takes a case from his friend, Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore), in which Scottie has to follow Elster’s wife, Madeline Elster (Kim Novak). He becomes obsessed with her and falls in love with her. Like in all Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, the second half of the movie changes how the viewers see the characters and events. Coloring plays a significant role in this movie

  • The Auteur In Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window

    1591 Words  | 7 Pages

    Auteur is the french word for author and is a term given to those far and few between who were responsible for handling and directing most of, if not all post and prior production of a film, including techniques, advertising, and choice of cast. So much so that they are considered to be the "author" of the film. Alfred Hitchcock has no doubt left an indelible and engraved mark on all of cinematography as one of the most successful and influential auteurs of all time, as seen through the wide range

  • Rear Window Essay

    1067 Words  | 5 Pages

    1. Introduction Rear Window is a 1954 crime thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the novel by James M. Cain. The film stars James Stewart and Grace Kelly and tells the story of a man who is blackmailed into spying on his neighbours through their windows. The film is characterised by its visual narrative, which uses a variety of camera angles and movements to create a sense of suspense. Conflict and resolution are also important elements of the film, and it is set in a claustrophobic

  • Suspense And Tension In Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo

    728 Words  | 3 Pages

    reaching for a love that is ultimately is an illusion. You can help but get chills watching this movie it engulfs you in a swirl of terror and tension as a web of obsession and deceit is weaved. The unbelievable story is that of Scottie played by James Stewart. He is a detective who ends up having a deep fear of heights when he sees a colleague of his fall to his death while trying to save him. Scottie’s fear is so profound that he felt he had no other choice but to leave the force. Scottie is later

  • The Way Up To Heaven Roald Dahl Analysis

    747 Words  | 3 Pages

    What makes people kill? Is it what people do or say? The author’s name is Roald Dahl. There are many similarities and differences between the “Lamb to the Slaughter” and “The Way Up to Heaven.” The lamb is the weapon that slaughters or kills the husband and the elevator is the highway that rides up to heaven or to death’s door. Roald Dahl intrigues readers with two distinct stories about murder that share similarities in various ways, revealing that things are not always what they seem. The stories

  • Symbolism And Motifs In Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window

    672 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rear Window by Alfred Hitchcock is a fillm full of symbolism and motifs that provides viewers with a bigger meaning. It shows these rhetorical appeals through Hitchcok’s eyes that would not be recognized if not analyzed. Through these appeals I have recognized the window as being a symbol and marriage and binoculars as motifs. After understanding much more than what the eye anitially sees when viewing this film there is a fine line between understanding what is going on in the film and observing

  • How Does Hitchcock Create Tension In Rear Window

    719 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rear Window is perhaps one greatest films in history. Directed by legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock, Rear Window is a mystery thriller based on the short story “It Had to Be Murder.” Rear Window tells of a photographer, Jeff, who had broken his leg in an accident. Confined to his apartment, he passes the time by looking out his window. During this time, he became obsessed with the theory that one of his neighbours, Thorwald, murdered his wife. By using brilliant film techniques and tactics

  • Summary Of The Thin Blue Line

    1577 Words  | 7 Pages

    In Texas, the death penalty applies for people who reach the age of adulthood, which Edith James states in her quote even though the of the evidence was pointing toward David Ray Harris. She states that,” It was strange that there was a robbery committed with that same pistol, you know. And here you have David Harris’s pistol, David Harris’s automobile

  • Critical Review On Gender Representation

    1228 Words  | 5 Pages

    Representation: Minorities or marginalised sections of society have been known to be misrepresented in the media. If we take the issue of gender equality under the heading of representation in media culture, we can see that there are several similarities with those issues outlined when discussing the production of media. This issue can be explored further and more in depth when discussing how these marginalised areas of society are portrayed on film. Raising the argument of accurate representation

  • Different Perspectives Of Marriage In Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window

    892 Words  | 4 Pages

    Rear window Alfred Hitchcock quoted in the film's rear window, “Maybe one day she’ll find her happiness.” (stella) “yeah and some man will lose his.” (Jeff). The characters in the rear window reflect a realistic view on marriage. Do you agree? Hitchcock refers that realistic marriage is demonstrated throughout the film. The director has expressed different perspectives of marriage. The scene was set in Greenwich village in 1954, which is located in New York with gloomy apartments spotted in the

  • Voyeurism In Rear Window

    315 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock film, Rear Window, the protagonist, Jeffries, becomes increasingly intrigued in watching his neighbors from his apartment building during his time in a wheelchair. The film effectively portrays voyeurism through the use of the camera angles which is intended to display scenes from the same limited perspective as Jeffries. His neighbors’ lives become the subject for the plot as he watches them perform various activities as a way to escape his own confinement. Each window

  • Annie Hall Character Analysis

    817 Words  | 4 Pages

    The film, Annie Hall, was released in 1977 with Woody Allen as the cowriter, director and main actor. In this essay Annie Hall will be analysed with regards to how the film subverts typical romantic comedy expectations. Annie Hall could be seen as a conventional romantic comedy in the sense that the typical character traits have been implemented, for example boy meets girls, the main couple break up and get back together, the man chases after the girl to win her back, as well as flashbacks of memories

  • Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window

    871 Words  | 4 Pages

    Rear Window The film masterpiece “Rear Window” is directed by Alfred Hitchcock and is known for its unique ability to connect to the hearts of many. The movie intrigues the audience from the opening scene to the dramatic amusement, Hitchcock’s movie is near impossible to predict and is composed of multiple plot twists and surprises. Despite being a harsh movie critic, I truly appreciated every single detail that is put forth by the Director. Unsurprisingly, Hitchcock is known for countless other

  • Words And Suspense In Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window

    330 Words  | 2 Pages

    While watching Rear Window by Alfred Hitchcock, I was able to notice two distinct themes throughout the film. These two themes are a quote about actions speaking louder than words and suspense. Hitchcock also had many different elements in his film to make it successful. My favorite element he used was sound with the radio in the background, street noise, and other ongoing conversations. One main theme that was shown through out the film was the quote “actions speak louder than words”. This quote

  • Rear Window Essay

    553 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rear Window (1984) directed by Alfred Hitchcock depicts an injured and house-ridden photographer peering out into the local neighbourhood and discovering something gruesome. The film explores many themes such as voyeurism and morality in a grey light that leaves the audience unclear of what morals the film suggests. However, Rear Window morals strongly suggest that individuals must not delve into the personal affairs of others. Characters in the film such as Tom Doyle and Stella provide a voice of

  • Examples Of Voyeurism In Rear Window

    1577 Words  | 7 Pages

    In Rear Window, Alfred Hitchcock explores the ambiguous nature of voyeurism, yet argues human nature vindicates the “harm in looking”. To reel audiences into the debate, Hitchcock presents them with the commonplace, knee-jerk response to voyeurism for consideration. Situating the viewer into the cynical protagonist’s perspective, the structure of the set enables the audience to “look” from Jeff’s rear window into the screens of his neighbours as a source of entertainment. Yet, Hitchcock elucidates

  • Camera Narration In The Movie 'Rear' Window

    765 Words  | 4 Pages

    Camera narration is crucial to the effect the movie has on its audience. It is noticed that the viewer rarely gets close to the apartments or characters across the courtyard. The viewpoint is mainly fixed to Jeff’s apartment, apart from a few occasions where the camera plunges out of the window. The fronts of the buildings facing the main street are never shown either; instead all of the action takes place within the mystery and secrecy of the backyard, hence the title name ‘Rear’ Window. Perhaps

  • How Does Hitchcock Use Cinematography In Rear Window

    1169 Words  | 5 Pages

    The film 'Rear Window' (1954), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is an examination of voyeurism as a moral dilemma faced by both individuals in an ordinary neighbourhood, and by the Government during a time when suspicion and paranoia were rampant in America. Hitchcock's own view on the topic is not immediately clear; he presents the idea of spying on others in both a positive and negative light. In doing so, he may be commenting on the ambiguity of what is right or wrong in such circumstances. Rear