Dial M for Murder 1954

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: The screenplay tends to constrain rather than liberate Hitchcock's thematic thrust, but there is much of technical value in his geometric survey of the scene and the elaborate strategies employed to transfer audience sympathy among the main characters. Read more

Bosley Crowther, New York Times: [Hitchcock] tried once before, in Rope, to build up a whole continuous drama in one set. He wasn't as successful in that venture. Dial M has all the space it needs. Read more

TIME Magazine: The fun of Dial M lies in its duel of wits... Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: It all moves along in a rather efficient if lifeless fashion, with only John Williams shining as a canny police detective. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Dial M remains more of a filmed play than a motion picture, unfortunately revealed as a conversation piece about murder which talks up much more suspense than it actually delivers. Read more

B. Kite, Village Voice: Dial M is less a filmed play than a highly cinematic investigation of theatricality. Read more

J. Hoberman, Village Voice: Was by far the most visually compelling of studio stereoscopic movies. Read more