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Shadow of a Doubt

Play trailer Poster for Shadow of a Doubt PG 1943 1h 48m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten) visits his relatives in Santa Rosa. He is a very charming man, but his niece slowly realizes that he is wanted for murder and he soon recognizes her suspicions. Although one of the suspected murderers is killed and the case is considered closed, she still has her suspicions.
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Shadow of a Doubt

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Critics Consensus

Alfred Hitchcock's earliest classic -- and his own personal favorite -- deals its flesh-crawling thrills as deftly as its finely shaded characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 01/21/2022
5/5
It's Hitchcock unleashed... Go to Full Review Paul Trench London Evening Standard 05/26/2021
An Alfred Hitchcock picture is something of an event. This one, which runs for an hour and 45 minutes, is an ingenious and unorthodox thriller which is continuously entertaining. Go to Full Review Age Staff The Age (Australia) 04/10/2020
A series of tense dramatic scenes superbly acted by Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright. Go to Full Review James Berardinelli ReelViews 11/13/2024
3/4
Shadow of a Doubt is the ultimate “refrigerator movie”*, with a story so implausible that it only holds together because of the director’s remarkable ability at composition and the top-notch work of actors Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/25/2022
4.5/5
“Shadow of a Doubt” is an exceptional thriller built upon a very good story, some pitch-perfect performances, and slick direction. Go to Full Review Walter Chaw Film Freak Central 06/10/2022
4/4
Hitchcock loved eroding moral bedrocks, most gaudily in the form of desecrating national monuments and more stealthily in the form of ineffectual cops, bumbling clergy, and psycho mothers. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ted B. @Movieaddicted Nov 9 4.5 stars; If there was a "shadow of a doubt" about the genius of Alfred Hitchcock, this film lays it to rest. In this film, he creates an idyllic midwest small town and introduces a sinister, psychotic stranger to what is the all-American family. It just so happens that the stranger is a distant family member. We get so tied into the family that we also feel like family members. The threat from the stranger becomes so great that we are fearful for the protagonist, the daughter of the family. This film was creatively cast, headed by Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright. The Direction was excellent. Hitchcock used the magic of black and white to create a menacing, threatening environment. This is one of my favorite Hitchcock movies. See more Autumn M Oct 30 Shadow of a Doubt is about a criminal who decides to hide out with his sister's family. Only his niece suspects him.This early thriller has engaging characters and a snappy plot, that is perfectly paced at 100 minutes. Recommended See more JoParkerBear P @JoParkerBear Sep 28 This is my favorite Hitchcock movie, and I say that as a big fan of his work. Joseph Cotton’s performance is outstanding. See more MaryAnn M. @MWAMD Sep 19 Great storytelling. One of the greatest movies from Hitchcock See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 7 Success in 1 hour and 48 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Insomniac X Mar 6 Hitchcock successfully fuses his sinister style with collaborator Thornton Wilder's idyllic vision of small town life in this twisted tale of moral decay and murderous intent. Hitchcock aficionados will likely notice thematic similarities to "Suspicion," which predated it by two years and which also maintained the ambiguity of its central character's innocence until its final moments. Though only partially effective as a thriller, the influence of Shadow of a Doubt can be felt in classics such as "The Stranger," and "Blue Velvet." See more Read all reviews
Shadow of a Doubt

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Cast & Crew

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Alfred Hitchcock

Director

Teresa Wright

Young Charlie Newton

Joseph Cotten

Charlie Oakley

Macdonald Carey

Jack Graham

Hume Cronyn

Herbie Hawkins

Henry Travers

Joseph Newton

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Shadow of a Doubt

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Movie Info

Synopsis Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten) visits his relatives in Santa Rosa. He is a very charming man, but his niece slowly realizes that he is wanted for murder and he soon recognizes her suspicions. Although one of the suspected murderers is killed and the case is considered closed, she still has her suspicions.
Director
Alfred Hitchcock
Producer
Jack H. Skirball
Screenwriter
Gordon McDonell, Thornton Wilder, Sally Benson, Alma Reville
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 1, 1943, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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