X
- 1943
- Passed
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
- 1943
- Passed
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
Summary A young woman discovers her visiting uncle may not be the man he seems to be.
Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Written By: Thornton Wilder, Sally Benson, Alma Reville, Gordon McDonell
- 1943
- Passed
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
- 1943
- Passed
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 48 m
Shadow of a Doubt
8.1
Summary A young woman discovers her visiting uncle may not be the man he seems to be.
Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Written By: Thornton Wilder, Sally Benson, Alma Reville, Gordon McDonell
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
94
100% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
94
100% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Shadow of a Doubt is considered to be director Alfred Hitchcock's best American film. Hitchcock himself regarded it so. [02 Aug 1998, p.60]
The sly Hitchcock made this chiller all the more frightening by having his crafty homicidal maniac intrude into the tranquility of a warm, middle-class family living in a small town, deeply developing his characters and drawing from the soft-spoken Joseph Cotten one of the actor's most remarkable and fascinating performances.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 59 User Ratings
8.1
85% Positive
50 Ratings
50 Ratings
14% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
2% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 59 User Ratings
8.1
85% Positive
50 Ratings
50 Ratings
14% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
2% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
'Shadow of a Doubt' is a masterpiece. It continues to be well understood and enjoyed in both the present and the future because of its smart characters and script. I'm not exaggerating, this film is home to, quite possibly, the smartest female lead character at the time of its release. This is just one of many parts that make 'Shadow of a Doubt' so brilliant because when all is said and done, this film was a game changer. Many Thrillers since have been inspired by its modern writing, pacing, and cinematography. It is such a pleasure to watch these film elements unfold because I had fun comparing some scenes from the film with the future films it inspired. Whenever Hitchcock was asked in interviews, 'What is your favourite film from your filmography?' His response was "Shadow of a Doubt". It was certainly a damn fine choice.
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No one would ever accuse Alfred Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt of being plausible, but it is framed so distinctively in the Hitchcock style that it plays firmly and never breaks out of the story.
Hitchcock is fully Hitchcock here, plunging deeply into his characters’ psyches, and remaining in full control of every cinematic effect.
It's a fine mix of suspense and character study. [02 Mar 1990, p.G41]
Hitchcock deftly etches his small-town characters and homey surroundings. Wright provides a sincere and persuasive portrayal as the girl, while Cotten is excellent as the motivating factor in the proceedings.
It's very well worked out in terms of character and it has a sustained grip, but it certainly isn't as much fun as several of his other films.
This is a slow burner of a film - the plot development gets quite good towards the end. there is a certain plausability about it, which is a little spooky I suppose. Its a typical film noir film, with frustratingly over the top incidental music at times but I liked the character development and as a Hitchcock film, it's not bad, particularly with the plot twists but its not entirely gripping I suppose. It's not a bad film and so I'd recommend it, yes.
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Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
National Film Preservation Board, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
National Board of Review, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination