Dial M for Murder

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Dial M for Murder

PG

Released May 29, 1954

1h 45m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

90%

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50 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

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.

Apr 16, 2020

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Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

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.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 26, 2013

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

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

Rated: 4/5

Jul 25, 2013

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

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.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 3, 2023

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

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

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 20, 2022

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Alan Jones

Starburst

It is probably the only 3D film that truly realizes the potential of what such a misused medium can offer a talented director.

Aug 1, 2022

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darlene r

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/19/24

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Kevin

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/08/24

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Jason C

Classy movie. Love the bit at the end where Ray Milland pours a huge whisky and says to the police “I suppose you’re on duty inspector”

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

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Fer S

Very good movie! Very intelligent plot. You do have to pay quite some attention. I got lost a bit in the end because of a detail I did not pick earlier.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/12/24

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Grace H

So theatrical and fun and pleasant. Very much liked this one

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/19/24

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Ted B

4.5 stars; Easily one of my most favorite Hitchcock films. It was the beginning of a beautiful film relationship between him and Grace Kelly. I feel like she gave one of her best performances in this film. This movie is pretty much a stage play, rightfully so, as it is based on a stage play by Frederick Knott. Location is not so important, as the plot is everything. It is a sort of 'who-dun-it' reverse (think Colombo). The 'play' is successful due to the acting of Ms. Kelly, as well as the fine performances by Ray Milland and Robert Cummings. And, you can't help but enjoy the sophistication that John Williams gives in his role, as he always does.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/19/24

Full Review

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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

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