Thriller Clip Analysis- Rear Window

Rear Window


This clip is taken from the film Rear Window, directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1954. The films stars James Stewart and Grace Kelly. Jeff, a wheelchair bound photographer (James Stewart) spies on his neighbours from his apartment window and becomes convinced one of them has committed murder. In the clip above, Jeff has been caught spying on the murderer and the murderer is slowly walking up the stairs towards his front door, meanwhile Jeff is defenceless as he has a broken leg and cant fend for himself. This scene clearly represents the genre as being a thriller as tension is built throughout, due to the complete darkness and the slow footsteps appearing louder as they get closer to the door, keeping the viewer on edge.