Search - Dial M for Murder on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children Movie Release: 1954 DVD Release: 09/07/2004 Format: DVD - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 45 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 37 Genres: Thriller, Crime Thriller, Psychological Thriller

Based on the popular mystery play by Frederick Knott, Dial M For Murder is more talky and stagebound than most Hitchcock films, but no less enjoyable. British tennis pro Ray Milland suspects that his wealthy wife Grace Kelly is fooling around with handsome American Robert Cummings. Milland blackmails a disgraced former army comrade (Anthony Dawson) into murdering Kelly and making it look like the work of a burglar. But Milland's carefully mapped-out scheme does not take into account the notion that Kelly might fight back and kill her assailant. When the police (represented by John Williams) investigate, Milland improvises quickly, subtly planting the suggestion that his wife has committed first-degree murder. He almost gets away with it; to tell you more would spoil the fun of the film's final thirty minutes. Hitchcock claimed that he chose this single-set play because he was worn out from several earlier, more ambitious projects, and wanted to "recharge his batteries." Compelled by Warner Bros. to film Dial M for Murder in 3-D, Hitchcock perversely refused to throw in the standard in-your-face gimmickry of most stereoscopic films of the era--though watch how he visually emphasizes an important piece of evidence towards the end of the film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ray Milland - Tom Wendice
Grace Kelly - Margot Wendice
Robert Cummings - Mark Halliday
John Williams - Chief Inspector Hubbard
Anthony Dawson - Captain Swan Lesgate

The only Alfred Hitchcock film originally lensed in 3-D, Dial M for Murder is presented on this DVD in a standard full-frame transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. English, French, and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include the theatrical trailer and a making-of documentary about the film. This fine disc is also available as part of the nine-disc =Alfred Hitchcock: The Signature Collection. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide