filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Usamah Harvey The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
Scotty Burke It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
Coventry I purchased the DVD of "The Desperate Hours" many years ago, I think right after I saw the Michael Cimino 1990 remake, but then I completely forgot about it. Recently I was reminded of the film again after seeing the low-keyed and obscure thriller/drama "The Shadow on the Window". That film came out in 1957, two years after "The Desperate Hours" and unmistakably borrowed many ideas, scenes and character specifications from this film. It's based on a Broadway Play, like so many movies from the fifties that are considered to be great classics. The list is nearly endless and truly versatile in of genres as well, like "A Streetcar Named Desire", "Dial M for Murder", "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and even "The Bad Seed". I think this is a prototype example of a simple and straightforward film that is only catapulted into the league of cinematic classics thanks to the stellar performances of the ensemble cast; and the two giant male lead stars in particular. William Wyler was a genius director and his work here is definitely competent as well, but you can't deny the direction often feels routine and mechanical. The plot is powerful as well, what with its themes of terror and paranoia lurking beneath the foundations of the typical American dream-family, but the scenario is never groundbreaking or controversial. No, instead, the true difference is made by each and every single one of the players. Humphrey Bogart masterfully returns to the type of character that he depicted repeatedly in the 1930s: a villain without redeeming features whatsoever. Bogart stated afterwards that he was too old for the role, and he may be right, but that doesn't keep him from giving away another unsurable performance. It may sound like a cliché, but actors of his caliber simply don't exist anymore nowadays. Speaking of clichés, Frederic March's character – the protective father – is very stereotypical, but he also manages to put down a monumental performance. It's not easy standing in the shadows of Bogart and March, and therefore I simply must also give a lot of separate praise to the rest of the cast. Dewey Martin and Robert Middleton are excellent as the accomplices, and I particularly wished to see more psychopathic outbursts of Middleton's character Kobish. Martha Scott is also memorable as the petrified mother and even the seemingly miscast Gig Young is more than adequate.
utgard14 Trio of escaped convicts, led by Humphrey Bogart, take Fredric March and his family hostage in their own home. A well-acted thriller directed by William Wyler that, unfortunately, doesn't have as much edge as it should. This doesn't even seem particularly gritty by 1955 standards and it's certainly tame in comparison to the decades of far more brutal home invasion movies. It is interesting and the cast does a good job for the most part, but it's lacking that extra something to give it the proper amount of tension it needs. I didn't even find these guys all that menacing. Plus the characters do things that just seem to make no sense other than to keep the plot going in the way the writer needs it to. It's certainly not a bad movie, and I would probably watch Bogart and March read the phone book, but I just can't help but feel that this doesn't quite click. At least for me. I really think it would have been much better if it had more of a film noir style and edge to it. As it is, it has no visual style at all and the only menace comes from threats and tough guy talk.
knucklebreather In "The Desperate Hours", we have Humphrey Bogart in his second-to-last film as hardened criminal Glenn Griffith, who has escaped from prison with his brother and a brute named Kobish. They happen upon the typical American family, the Hilliards, and invade their home with great brutality for a 1955 film."Man must protect his family" has become a very long-lived genre to this very day, and this movie is a fine entry in it. Fredric March's Dan Hilliard is realistic and even inspiring, in an early scene he explains to his son that he is afraid, and he's not ashamed of it. Through his dialogue and thoughtful acting, we are able to believe in Dan Hilliard as an honest everyman doing the best he can in a difficult situation, which keeps these sorts of movies from become unrealistic flights of fantasy. The pacing is very good, with nary a dull moment as the desperate hours tick by. Bogart's tremendous acting kill any chance of audience boredom, as you see his character's interesting clash between the desperate honest man and the desperate criminal. The soundtrack is almost nonexistent, rare for Hollywood in this era, but it's quite welcome, as it adds to the gritty, desperate feel of the film.This is really a very fine thriller that has stood the test of time. It may not have explosions or death-defying stunts, but the emotional conflict is what these movies are based on, and this movie has it in spades.
edwagreen Superb film regarding Fred March, Martha Scott as a married couple who are held hostage by Humphrey Bogart and his motley crew along with the couple's children.The tension is so thick and is beautifully realized by director William Wyler.This is a story of inner-strength held by March and yet how his acts to protect his family could be seen as cowardice by his young son.Both March and Bogart are at the top of their game performance wise in this excellent film.The film is aided by a wonderful ing cast including Arthur Kennedy as a detective, Dewey Martin as Bogart's younger brother and several others. Gig Young plays the suitor to March's daughter. He feels that March doesn't like him and of course this is added on by the hostage situation.We see how detrimental being held hostage can be by what it does to the normally mild-mannered March. Just view his hostile actions towards his secretary. (Helen Kleeb)While we may know how the film will turn out, we can still applaud and wait with great anticipation for its wonderful climax. This was Hollywood at its best in film making.
