One year, one film: 1955
The film:
The Desperate Hours, dir. William Wyler
Starring Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March
Rating:
Recommended | Highly Recommended | MUST-SEE
I first watched The Desperate Hours in 2013, and you could say I was floored by it. I gave the film a perfect rating of “5/5!” (known ’round these parts as a “super five”), praising March and Bogart’s performances, as well as the film’s overall success in building a constant level of suspense. But did the critics of 1955 find the film as engrossing as I?
Variety called the film “an expert adaptation” (adapted from a novel and play, both by Joseph Hayes). Fredric March’s performance is described as “powerful.” And that Bogart fellow? “Here he’s at his best, a tough gunman capable of murder, snarling delight with the way his captives must abide by his orders, and wise in the ways of self-preservation strategy.”
We’ve even, in a rare but not unheard of occurrence, stumbled upon a film kind of enjoyed by Bosley Crowther. He called the film “crafty and crackling,” giving particularly high praise to the “stalking and searching” photography and the “ferocity” of Bogart’s performance. But Crowther did take issue with some of the story’s turns, complaining that Dan would, in reality, never have left the house without calling for help. “Would a man as able and courageous as the father, whom Fredric March plays with extraordinary spirit and versatility, be so disdainful of the capabilities and consideration of the police that he would not take his problem to them?” Crowther couldn’t buy it. I could, but we live in a different world today. Perhaps this did require too much suspension of disbelief in 1955.
Regardless of Crowther’s one nitpicky-but-valid complaint, I still hold The Desperate Hours in very high regard. If you’re a Bogart fan or love a good crime drama and haven’t set seen it, add The Desperate Hours to your must-see list!
Engaging review. Haven’t seen this yet. Seems like a more hardcore version of Suddenly. Not a big fan of March; too bad Bogey and Tracy had such unyielding egos when they became big stars.
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Even though you’re not a fan of March it’s definitely worth a watch. “Hardcore version of Suddenly” is a good way to put it, haha. Very suspenseful.
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I’ve just learned that March was a staunch, vocal anti-fascist and activist. So now I like him more!
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This is an excellent movie and very suspenseful. It’s right up there with Cape Fear.
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Glad to hear that you enjoy it!
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I’ve always loved this movie – but it’s only now that I realized the loving family patriarch is played by the same Fredric March, who once starred in 1931’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (the definitive version IMHO).
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