Murder!

The film was originally to be released under the same title as the novel “Enter Sir John” but this was changed to the simpler “Murder!” during shooting. A number of changes were made from the book including the alteration of the names of the two principal characters. The portrayal of the character Sir John Mernier was loosely based on that of the actor Gerald du Maurier who was a friend of Hitchcock. Hitchcock makes his cameo appearance in the film as a man walking past the murder victim’s house.*

The film has different names in various countries. The original UK title is “Murder!”. In France the film is known as “Meurtre”, in Germany the name of the movie is “Mord – Sir John greift ein!”, in Spain it’s “Asesinato”, in Portugal it’s “Assassínio”, in Italy it’s “Omicidio!”, in Greece it’ “Dolofonia”, in Finland it’s “Epäiltynä murhasta”, in Sweden it’s “Mord” and in Argentinia the move is known as “Murder”.

The film was also shot in German language with the same scenarios, some small changes in the film script but with different actors beside two side roles. This version was released under the name “Mary” in Germany (http://youtu.be/FVCSofdMyqk) and “Geheimnis der Nacht” in Austria.

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36 Replies to “Murder!”

  1. What a flawless print of this early Hitchcock film! Many of his trademark directorial touches are evident such as the striking female accused, the wonderful handling of the crowd panic, bars of light and darkness over the character to signify a crisis, and inventive use of angles and lighting. A real treat!! Thanks!

  2. I won't give thumb up or down.  Black and white is good, Marshall is good.  Impossible for me to hear over half of the dialogue with background noise, bawling infants, bad sound quality and undecipherable Brit accents.

  3. Hi! I'm from Brazil! And I am here to congratulate you for this wonderful work! I love Hitchcock movies, specially the British era(silent and talkies). Very happy watching these masterpieces!!! Best.

  4. This is one of the best 1930 films.  Remember… "Talkies" are still in their infantsy in 1930.  There is a nice Wikipedia entry on this film.  Hitchcock didn't begin making Big money until he landed in Hollywood.  His fame began and spread quickly for hisability to create, write, and direct great movies.  WARNING:  Hitchcock appears in cameo at 59:55 minutes into.  The main folks are talking outside the woman's flat when these two (man and woman) walk in front of them.  The two are oblivious to the camera and the characters – they just walk past.  That's Hitchcock.  And that's 2nd cameo of a "Talkie." 

  5. Here's a trivial Oops…  As Sir John is talking to the defendant at the prison, they're both sitting at a long table.  As the camera switches between the two as they talk, you can see from the table's planks that they keep switching sides (or turning the table around).  There are three wide (say 8 Inch) planks and one more narrow (say about 6 inch) plank.  I wonder if Hitchcock (who is usually on top of "Continuity" in his movies to the point of Obsession) didn't turn the table On Purpose and for fun ??!!?? 

  6. Some great character players in this one including Herbert Marshall, the smooth villain of "Foreign Correspondent", who had one artificial leg, having lost one during the First World War, and a handsome young Edward Chapman, almost unrecognisable as the stooge 20 years later of Norman Wisdom in his British comedies as the put-upon "Mr Grimsdale" ! Miles Mander, like Herbert Marshall, went on to much character work in Hollywood while poor Donald Calthrop, a regular in other Hitchcock British films such as "Blackmail", fought a running battle with alcoholism.

  7. I think mostly all of Hitchcock's work are works of art, quirky, n he did things deliberately, like the flaw on the wall n the turning of the table. There r prb alot of uthr quirky things n every show and or movie that ppl hv missed. But he has done sum rly great shows.. a brilliant mind indeed

  8. A lot of humor in this film: first we hear quite a lot of Wagner's Tristan prelude, than the excruciatingly awful piano playing of that little girl. Changing clothes is a running gag that becomes an important plot device. Quite a brilliant film.

  9. The constant accusation of being "half caste" is very significant in this film. I have no clue what this means & why it's mentioned several times. I'm sure I'll find out once I google it, but why was it considered such an important character excuse for the murderer? Anyone know – please bring it on?

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