Customer Reviews
I brought you nightmares... - By: IWFIcon, 18 Aug 2008 
It may not be his "best" film, but Shadow Of A Doubt remains my favourite Hitchcock film. Some state, such as his daughter Patricia, that it was his favourite too, although in typical Hitch fashion he stated that that wasn't the case during his interviews with Francois Truffaut.
Joseph Cotton excels as Uncle Charlie, who's visit to a smalll suburban American town is intiallly welcomed with open arms by his neice Young Charlie (another superb performance by Teresa Wright) but soon takes a much darker turn as she comes to the realisation that he could be the merry widow murderer.
There are a number of suspense set-pieces to thrill, although casual viewers of the Hitchcock experience coming to this film for the first time might be surprised at the relatively sedate pace it has compared to his more well-known films. Some will also be surprised that there is little real doubt throughout the film that Uncle Charlie is guilty, but that doesn't drop the suspense, more adds numerous different layers to it.
It's perfectly written, perfectly acted & perfectly directed. It's a five star classic alll the way.
Hitch; A Dark Genius - By: N. M. D. Lancaster, 29 May 2008 First things first, I need to justify giving Shadow of a Doubt 5 stars. Yes, it is in black & white, no it's not the best soundtrack from Hitchcock however it is a true cinematic spectacle & that is enough to give it this high rating.
The story is simple, about an apparently 'average family'. Hitch believed that he could make a film full of suspense out of any ordinary script, this could be considered to be true of SOAD. That is not to say that it is badly written or A dull or fantastic plot, the fact is, its likeability lies in the simplicity of the film's characters. The story is basicallly about a man on the run from the law who visits his sister & her family.
What I love about it is the change of our identification of the characters from the hero over to the heroine - from Charles to Charlie. Where the film differs from other films of the epoch is the director's skill. Unlike the two-dimensional techniques of some, by 1942 Hitch had begun to establish himself in Hollywood as a great director. His motif in SOAD is the shadows; using lighting & different camera angles to create a POV that not only shows what the characters see, but that also tell how the audience to feel.
A very well rounded film, & I genuinely mean this when i say - the film is perfectly cast. The male lead is a familiar face across the Hitchcockian canon, both lead females couldnt have been changed, & there is a subtle comedy that adds a delightful warmth to the movie with the Holmes & Watson-esque characters of the Father & his friend.
I refuse to talk about the films famous ending as even noting the smalllest details would unravel the entire film. Perhaps the film is famous for being Hitch's favourite, for as it's final lines suggest the world 'needs a lot of watching' - a definition of cinema, just as this film is the definitive Hitchcock. A real pleasure to watch, that truly has stood the test of time.
a minor classic in Hitchcock's oeuvre - By: H. Serkan SILAHSOR, 18 Apr 2008 
Yeah, "Shadow of a Doubt" is missing the moodiness of "Psycho", ambiguity of "The Birds", claustrophobia of "Rear Window", mystery of "Vertigo", vibrancy of "North by Northwest" & lightweightness of "The Trouble with Harry", but it is a strangely gripping & charming movie in Hitchcock's oeuvre.
Like most Hitchcock films, the premise of the film is very simple: mysterious Uncle Charlie decides to pay a visit to his extended family living in a smalll town. After a while, as his secret is revealed, alll family will suffer dire consequences. For me, the most interesting thing about the film is its well-constructed details, or Hitchcock's trademark subtleties that enhance & add layer to the depth to the experience. From start to end, the film is built on dualities, with each scene & character having its complement. There are two Charlies, uncle & niece, having sharp contrasts, albeit a mystic bond with each other. The film begins with uncle Charlie in Philadelphia & his niece Charlie in Santa Rosa, both lying on their beds thinking uncle Charlie to visit Santa Rosa. Two Charlies meet twice at the Till Two Diner. There are two detectives. There are two murder suspects. There are two discussions of perfect murder techniques. There are two train scenes at uncle Charlie's arrival & departure, etc.
Along with these cool pairings, what makes the story more chilling is that it is set in a middle-class, alll-American family atmosphere & more importantly the concept of "bringing menace to a tranquil, idyllic smalll town environment" (unlike many other Hitchcock films). The main focus is put on the psychological interplay between young Charlie & her enigmatic & sophisticated uncle. The main suspense element doesn't come from whether uncle Charlie is "Merry Widow Murderer" or not. Hitchcock makes us realize that he is a vicious, self-interested & gritty sociopath from the very beginning. He didn't resort to gimmicky twists & turns. Instead, the suspense comes from another elements: will uncle Charlie kill his niece as soon as she discovers his "secret"?, Is he going to arrange his escape out of town ahead of the FBI agents?, & like that.
To sum up: Being Hitchcock's first true Hollywood film using American writers & actors as well as real American settings, "Shadow of a Doubt" is a good thriller that works on many different levels. Like most Hitch's films there are complex character studies & visual clues scattered throughout the film. Pay special attention to dualities & little details.
Do You Believe a Stranger About Your Relative? - By: Mark Baker, 16 Oct 2007 Things have gotten boring & routine in the Newton family, & Young Charlie (Teresa Wright) especiallly is feeling the boredom. So she decides to wire her favorite uncle to come for a visit. As it happens, Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten) is already planning a visit.
While Young Charlie is excited to see her namesake again, she can't help but notice that he is acting strangely. He's especiallly skittish around two men who arrive at the Newton house claiming to be conducting a survey. These men tell Young Charlie a strange tale about her uncle. Could it be true? Is so, what should she do?
I reallly have a hard time watching old movies because I often find them dull & slow. This one started out that way with the set up taking more time then I would have liked. This is especiallly true since I already knew where the story was going. Once it got there, however, things reallly heated up. I was watching the time, but only to figure out how much longer before I'd know how it alll turned out. This isn't to say the second half was perfect. It includes a romantic sub-plot that, while important to the plot, feels forced on the story. This isn't the fault of the actors, alll of whom do a great job bringing the story to life.
This movie is one of Hitchcock's lesser known efforts, & it's a shame. If you are looking for a good suspenseful movie, this one will certainly fit the bill.
Hitchcocks favourite movie - By: S J Buck, 25 Aug 2007 This 1943 thriller from the master of suspense features Joseph Cotton as 'Uncle Charlie' & Teresa Wright as 'Young Charlie'. Cotten having made 'The Magnicent Ambersons' & 'Citizen Kane' with Orsen Welles in the previous two years was early in his career (Shadow of a Doubt was only his 5th film) proving to be a versatile & subtle actor.
Arriving to visit his family in California, Uncle Charlie is very popular with alll the family, especiallly 'Young Charlie'. Hitchcock of course is very clever & alllows Joseph Cotten to drop a few hints of his posible sinister side. But maybe its a double bluff from the master of suspense. There are many trademark Hitchcock moments, a few lovely set pieces. In fact early in the film he uses a shot that would be recreated in Psycho 18 years later.
The script is very good & the cast matches it most of the time with classy acting. Just occasionallly I felt that the acting was a little wooden. I couldn't tell you where it happened, which is good because this means I'll have to watch the film again. The DVD has an interesting documentary about the making of the film with some of the surviving members of the cast.
For me this wasn't as good as 'North By Northwest', Psycho, Rear Window or 'Strangers on a Train' but it is a very good film, & one that I have only seen once. I am sure that with repeated viewings it will improve each time & regardless of my opinion if Alfred Hitchcock liked it above of alll his other films it must be worth getting.
