William Wyler was one of Hollywood's finest directors. His impressive filmography remains a high-water mark to this day. Ditto the two stars of this film, Fredric March and Humphrey Bogart. Both are in their absolute elements here: Bogart as a hardened escaped con who, with his partners in crime wreak havoc on a typical suburban household; and March, who, despite his reputation in real life as a skirt-chaser, projects a strong moral decency. A good chunk of the desperation in the title belongs to him as he struggles to protect his family. Of course, Bogart is the most desperate one because he's trapped, but it's a life or death struggle for virtually all the protagonists. There's plenty of desperation to go round! For Bogart It's less a question of will he get away than who he will take with him. The pristine new Blu-ray release contains a number of very intelligent extra features and will be a real treasure for classic film buffs, especially fans of Bogart.
I've heard people say over the years that Humphrey Bogart wasn't much of an actor, but just try to do what he did as well as he did and see for yourself. He lives and breathes the role, and there is never any doubt about his desperation. Without his grounded central performance, the film would lose much of its power. And what can anyone say about Frederic March which hasn't already been said? March, along with Spencer Tracy, in my opinion, was one of the two predominant American actors of the first half of the 20th-century. That's saying a lot. Trivia note: what is the common denominator between March and Tracy? They both played Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. March to Academy award success, Tracy to best forgotten status.
Wyler directs THE DESPERATE HOURS with a sure hand as always and captures middle-class America as well as anyone ever had. The film was shot in black and white for good reason, it helps to project the film's theme of contrast. The stark, black and white photography is truly impressive, adding significantly to the sense of foreboding throughout.
Forget the inferior remake some years later with Mickey Rourke and Anthony Hopkins in the Bogart/March roles. It is best forgotten, despite Hopkins' participation. Just goes to show sometimes don't mess with a classic. Classics are classics for a reason. THE DESPERATE HOURS came relatively late in Bogart's career. Don't be surprised that he plays another bad guy. There are subtle shades of character that differentiate this performance from his other gangster-type roles. Yes, it says here that Bogart was a subtle actor. Playing opposite Fredric March and under the direction of William Wyler, Bogart gives one of his best late-career performances. It's a fabulous contrast of actors in a film well worth seeing.
I've heard people say over the years that Humphrey Bogart wasn't much of an actor, but just try to do what he did as well as he did and see for yourself. He lives and breathes the role, and there is never any doubt about his desperation. Without his grounded central performance, the film would lose much of its power. And what can anyone say about Frederic March which hasn't already been said? March, along with Spencer Tracy, in my opinion, was one of the two predominant American actors of the first half of the 20th-century. That's saying a lot. Trivia note: what is the common denominator between March and Tracy? They both played Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. March to Academy award success, Tracy to best forgotten status.
Wyler directs THE DESPERATE HOURS with a sure hand as always and captures middle-class America as well as anyone ever had. The film was shot in black and white for good reason, it helps to project the film's theme of contrast. The stark, black and white photography is truly impressive, adding significantly to the sense of foreboding throughout.
Forget the inferior remake some years later with Mickey Rourke and Anthony Hopkins in the Bogart/March roles. It is best forgotten, despite Hopkins' participation. Just goes to show sometimes don't mess with a classic. Classics are classics for a reason. THE DESPERATE HOURS came relatively late in Bogart's career. Don't be surprised that he plays another bad guy. There are subtle shades of character that differentiate this performance from his other gangster-type roles. Yes, it says here that Bogart was a subtle actor. Playing opposite Fredric March and under the direction of William Wyler, Bogart gives one of his best late-career performances. It's a fabulous contrast of actors in a film well worth seeing.