Alfred Hitchcock

DVD Features:

Product Description:

Alfred Hitchcock's aptly named MURDER! is a British suspense-mystery about a jurist who believes in the innocence of a young woman accused of murder and sets out to prove his theory. Well photographed and characterized by quick cutting and sharp dialogue, MURDER is one of Hitchcock's rare whodunits. Based on a novel by Clemence Dane and sporting several references to HAMLET and an interior monologue, the film is a groundbreaking adaptation of a novel into an early talkie. It also features Herbert Marshall's first speaking part.

Plot Synopsis:

This early Alfred Hitchcock suspense-thriller features one of the filmmaker's favorite subjects--a wrongly accused murder suspect. Although famous actor Sir John (Herbert Marshall) believes young actress Diana Baring (Norah Baring) can't be responsible for murdering a young woman from her performing troupe, he votes guilty with his fellow jurors. However, his conscience forces him to become an amateur sleuth and set out to find the real killer. Sir John eventually figures out who actually murdered the woman, and he sets out to create a trap for the guilty party in the film's suspenseful climax. MURDER! was adapted from the novel ENTER SIR JOHN! By Clemence Dane.

This early Alfred Hitchcock suspense-thriller features one of the filmmaker's favorite subjects -- a wrongly-accused murder suspect.
Although Sir John believes young actress Diana Baring can't be responsible for murdering a young woman from her performing troupe, he votes guilty with his fellow jurors. However, his conscience forces him to become an amateur sleuth and set out to find the real killer.
Sir John eventually figures out who actually murdered the woman and he creates a trap for the guilty party in the film's suspenseful climax.

Plot Keywords:

Based On A Novel | British | Drama | Murder | Mystery | Suspense | Vintage

Production Notes:

• Theatrical release: August 1930.
• Hitch onscreen: Hitchcock appears as a pedestrian passing along the street.
• To increase ticket sales in Europe, Hitchcock was asked to film a second version in Germany.
• Since "dubbing" of additional sound was not technically possible, one scene of Sir John thinking out loud was filmed with a live orchestra playing behind the mirror.

Cast and Crew: