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Dial M for Murder
1954 105 min United States of America PG 12+
★8.2
Thriller, Crime, Drama
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Trailers
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Description
When her American lover visits London, a wealthy woman’s jealous husband hatches a plan to murder her and inherit her fortune.
Budget:
$1.4M
US Gross:
$24,845
Worldwide:
$3M
Starring
Ray Milland
Actor
Grace Kelly
Actor
Robert Cummings
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 1955
— Best International Actress
Key opinion
Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder is widely celebrated as a masterful, tautly constructed chamber thriller that relies on meticulous plotting and razor-sharp dialogue. While a few viewers find the stage-bound nature and occasional plot gaps frustrating, the majority view it as an essential classic defined by strong performances and Hitchcock’s inventive use of a confined space.
| Screenplay | The script is exceptionally well-crafted, with every line of dialogue serving a specific purpose to build suspense and sustain the mystery. | |
| Acting | Ray Milland delivers a chilling and highly effective performance as the cold, calculating mastermind behind the murder plot. | |
| Acting | John Williams is frequently cited as a standout, with his portrayal of Inspector Hubbard providing a compelling and memorable focus to the investigation. | |
| Direction | The film's confined, apartment-bound setting is effectively used by Hitchcock to create claustrophobic tension rather than feeling limited by its theatrical roots. | |
| Acting | Critics are divided on Grace Kelly's performance; some praise her magnetic presence and classic emotional delivery, while others feel she is underutilized or too passive in the role. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the narrative integrity are split; many admire the ingenious planning of the first two acts, while others criticize the conclusion for relying on illogical behavior and arbitrary plot convenience. |