A former tennis star arranges the murder of his adulterous wife.A former tennis star arranges the murder of his adulterous wife.A former tennis star arranges the murder of his adulterous wife.
- Director
- Writer
- Frederick Knott(screen play by)
- Stars
- Director
- Writer
- Frederick Knott(screen play by)
- Stars
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 5 wins & 3 nominations total
Videos2
- Banquet Memberas Banquet Member
- (uncredited)
- Detectiveas Detective
- (uncredited)
- Detectiveas Detective
- (uncredited)
- Banquet Memberas Banquet Member
- (uncredited)
- Banquet Memberas Banquet Member
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- Frederick Knott(screen play by)
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
- Taglines
- Kiss By Kiss...Supreme Suspense Unfurls!
- Genres
- Certificate
- PG
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaAlfred Hitchcock had chosen a very expensive robe for Grace Kelly to wear when she answered the phone. Kelly balked and said that no woman would put on such a robe just to answer the ringing telephone while she was asleep alone; she would answer it in her nightgown. Hitchcock agreed to do it her way and liked the way the rushes turned out, and he allowed Kelly to make all costume decisions for herself in their subsequent movies together.
- Goofs(at around 24 mins) Wendice throws a £100 bundle on a pink armchair. The money falls right at the back of the seat. A few minutes later, Swann takes the money which is now right in front of the armchair.
- Quotes
Tony Wendice: How do you go about writing a detective story?
Mark Halliday: Well, you forget detection and concentrate on crime. Crime's the thing. And then you imagine you're going to steal something or murder somebody.
Tony Wendice: Oh, is that how you do it? It's interesting.
Mark Halliday: Yes, I usually put myself in the criminal's shoes and then I keep asking myself, uh, what do I do next?
Margot Mary Wendice: Do you really believe in the perfect murder?
Mark Halliday: Mmm, yes, absolutely. On paper, that is. And I think I could, uh, plan one better than most people; but I doubt if I could carry it out.
Tony Wendice: Oh? Why not?
Mark Halliday: Well, because in stories things usually turn out the way the author wants them to; and in real life they don't... always.
Tony Wendice: Hmm.
Mark Halliday: No, I'm afraid my murders would be something like my bridge: I'd make some stupid mistake and never realize it until I found everybody was looking at me.
- Crazy creditsThe title is shown on a background of a British telephone dial; its MNO marking is replaced by a single large M which forms the single M of the title.
- Alternate versionsThe film had an intermission in its original 3-D release, although it is less than two hours in length.
- ConnectionsEdited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Le contrôle de l'univers (1999)
Ray Milland is excellent as ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice who decides to commit the perfect murder of his wife (Grace Kelly) when he learns of her affair with Robert Cummings (who isn't given much to do). In fact, Milland's subtle performance has you wanting the murder plot to work! Though it has to be said, Kelly's helpless female turn does not help in this regard either.
Hitchcock's skill here is to totally involve the viewer in the labyrinthine plot involving keys, telephone calls and stockings so that at the end of the film you haven't even noticed that virtually all the scenes are in one room.
If you like clever, wordy films with a touch of humour then I recommend `Dial M For Murder'. 8/10
- philipborrington
- Jan 17, 2002
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,400,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $24,845
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $12,562
- Apr 11, 1999
- Gross worldwide
- $31,207
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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