Dial M for Murder

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Dial M for Murder

PG

1954

1h 45m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

92%

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25,000+ Ratings

Ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) wants to have his wealthy wife, Margot (Grace Kelly), murdered so he can get his hands on her inheritance. When he discovers her affair with Mark Halliday (Robert Cummings), he comes up with the perfect plan to kill her. He blackmails an old acquaintance into carrying out the murder, but the carefully-orchestrated set-up goes awry, and Margot stays alive. Now Wendice must frantically scheme to outwit the police and avoid having his plot detected.

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Critics Consensus

Dial M for Murder may be slightly off-peak Hitchcock, but by any other standard, it's a sophisticated, chillingly sinister thriller -- and one that boasts an unforgettable performance from Grace Kelly to boot.

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Derwent May

Sight & Sound

04/16/2020

Ray Milland is sufficiently suave as the misbegotten genius, and Hitchcock has moved about very sure-footedlv on what continues to be for the most part just a stage.

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Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

07/26/2013

3/5

Ray Milland is great as cold fish Tony Wendice, a former tennis pro who plans to bump off his adulterous wife. Still, Grace Kelly is mis-cast (or misdirected) as the spouse in question.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

07/25/2013

4/5

The set-up is ingenious and the "kill" scene genuinely thrilling.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 4

3.5/4

Dial M for Murder is often dismissed as lesser Hitchcock, yet its intricate plot and sterling performances thrill me every time I watch it.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

01/03/2023

4/5

Dial M for Murder is never short of suspense and the master of suspense's first of three films with Grace Kelly is among the top tier of Hitchcock's filmography.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/20/2022

4.5/5

The story never trips over itself and Hitchcock let’s Knott’s script do most of the heavy lifting.

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Meloney

Oct 23

Such a classic. I saw it in 3D, and I would have preferred just the regular viewing. Otherwise, enjoyed it very much.

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darlene r

08/19/2024

First time seeing this movie. My favorite Hitchcock so far. Stunning acting

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Kevin

05/08/2024

Absolutely one of Hitchcocks best movies, seen it 25 times and it never gets old.

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Apr 4

Staple Hitchcockian narrative strained for the formatted practice that sacrifices the thrill in deflated suspense, but what elevates from the missed type-expectancy is the stage-to-screen transition penned by own playwright Frederick Knott has solidifies its meticulousness while Hitchcock layered it with taut efficiency and psychological study whilst benefitting from the generally exceptional deliverance from the cast. (B+)

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Mitch C

@PrimetimeMitch Jan 27

Lovely to look at - nice little adaptation of the stage play and a plot that really holds your interest. Mostly shot in the one apartment, it never feels cramped or claustrophobic which only works in horror. This is lit and coloured so to open out the small space. Grace Kelly is a little drab in this and patience is key at the start. It’s never a problem here as I enjoy long dialogues between two characters. The standout performance is actually John Williams as Inspector Hubbard. Enjoyed it

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Bill T.

@btreakle Jan 14

“Dial M For Murder “This was a typical Alfred Hitchcock movie huge plot very suspenseful not knowing what's going to happen to the the very end and then an odd ending of course. Now Grace Kelly was in this movie along with ray Maryland both of them did tremendous job in this film. Not going to give a lot away here if you like Alfred Hitchcock then you will certainly enjoy this one here a black and white film which many of his films were because he was an early director so sit back and enjoy this one I highly recommend it.

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Alfred Hitchcock

Director

Ray Milland

Tony Wendice

Grace Kelly

Margot Mary Wendice

Bob Cummings

Mark Halliday

John Williams

Chief Insp. Hubbard

Anthony Dawson

Charles Alexander Swann

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Synopsis

Ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) wants to have his wealthy wife, Margot (Grace Kelly), murdered so he can get his hands on her inheritance. When he discovers her affair with Mark Halliday (Robert Cummings), he comes up with the perfect plan to kill her. He blackmails an old acquaintance into carrying out the murder, but the carefully-orchestrated set-up goes awry, and Margot stays alive. Now Wendice must frantically scheme to outwit the police and avoid having his plot detected.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Producer: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenwriter: Frederick Knott
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 29, 1954, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Mono