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To Catch a Thief

To Catch a Thief

List Price: $24.99
Your Price: $18.74
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Mid-level Hitch, but still a perfectly good diversion
Review: Not one of the master's top-notch efforts, but worth a look for the glamour, scenery, and some good lines. Besides, the DVD's nice selection of supplementary materials make up for the slight shortage of complexity and entertainment value provided by the movie itself. Extra points for the sharp new widescreen image, though, which at least restores "To Catch a Thief" to its former visual glory, always one of its strong suits.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Classic bit of froth in need of a make over
Review: To Catch a Thief is the closest Hitch got to making froth in the later part of his career. It's not as suspenseful as North by Northwest, lacks the emotional power of both Rear Window and the artistry of Vertigo. Nevertheless, it's an essential, if minor, Hitchcock classic. The stunning photography by the late great Robert Burke isn't very well represented on this DVD. The colors are still muted (comparable to previous video and laserdisc editions). It's not hard to see why this won an Academy Award for best cinematography but it is difficult to appreciate it the way it was meant to be.

Cary Grant and Grace Kelly give marvelous, witty performances and capture the light touch of screenwriter John Michael Hayes. Sadly, Hayes is no longer around to give us his thoughts (much as he did on the Rear Window DVD). His script is a great deal of fun and Hitch's usual targets are skewered well.

The direction is nimble and the film fairly well paced. Really, this is a romantic thriller with the emphasis on romantic. The chases sequences are well designed and shot. They became the template for many other lesser directors (including the overwrought films of acolyte Brian DePalma).

A pity that this isn't one of Hitch's more serious works otherwise it would merit a facelift and much needed make over to improve the picture quality. Hopefully someone will get around to it before the negative becomes even worse off.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Flavorful Fluff
Review: I've been waiting for this movie to be released on DVD since the format was introduced. Yes, it would have been great if Paramount had restored this candy. But the colors ARE nevertheless nice and rich, Grant is full of panache and Grace Kelly is simply scrumptious. In the words of Joe E Brown in "Some Like it Hot"---YOWZA! The supporting cast is great, but to me the real stars are the post-war beauty that was the Riviera, and the gallic life style--however romanticized it may be. I suspect this is a DVD release that would benefit from a 16:9, HDTV screening. A major advantage of seeing it on DVD is the obvious crispness and detail of both the foreground and, when it was convenient to Hitchcock, the backgrounds as well. Interior scenes benefit from the detail as the richness of the Rivera hotel and restaurant locations can be savored. Come to think of it, this may be one of Mr. Hitchcock's most sensual movies, emphasizing the tactile: you see the patient fondling of the jewels, the enjoyment of the food ("..it's a quiche lorraine...")and wine and, by implication, the treat represented by the lovely Miss Kelly ("...have you ever had a better offer?...One that guarantees satisfaction?") It may well be, as many viwers have said, that this is a "lighter" Hitchcock. It is by no means less enjoyable. Grab it (and devour it with a quiche and a glass of crisp white wine. A muscadet). Sixth star, anyone?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Sexy Hitch
Review: This will be the first time in the history of Hitchcock's films, that one of his first films to be shot in widescreen is being resurrected for the first time on DVD. Not since Tom Copper struck a widescreen print for his revival theater chains in the 1970's, will America once more see ALL of this beautifully shot film, done in Vista Vision by his great cinemaphotographer, Robert Burks, A.S.C. In addition to seeing southern France in all its glory, we will finally get the joke lost to pan and scan, that Hitch included in the film, when Cary Grant gets on the bus, turns to his left, and we see his double take on Hitchcock who is sitting next to him. That and many other framing devices have been lost for years due to the horrible pan and scan prints that are shown everywhere. Now Hitchcock's film will be presented in all it's full glory, with the director's original framing intact. Hitchcock worked closely with Burks (who shot 12 films with the master) to get the maximum use out of the wide-screen format. This was their first widescreen film together.

Grant is suave as ever as John Robie, the Cat. Grace Kelly is captivating, and very sensual, as his romantic lead (She also met Prince Rainier, her future husband, during the shoot). Landis is hilarious ("Ave vous, bourbon?") as Kelly's wealthy but down to earth mother. And John Williams is the perfect nervous Insurance Agent ("I don't like it..." he keeps repeating). An absolute must for fans of Grant, at the height of his attractiveness. And with come-on lines like, "Which would you like, a leg or a breast?", this film becomes a 'must' for collectors from around the world who love and cherish classic cinema.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: ...is not a difficult thing.
Review: Cary Grant and Grace Kelly have great acting in this film. I like how easy they make it look to catch a thief... Thieves who get caught, as we see in this movie- get fired from their jobs. I used to think it was cool to be a thief- until I got caught. Now I know, only I lose in the end...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: About as good as it gets.. until the inevitable remake
Review: If the honchos in Hollywood have any sense, they'll remake this classic with George Clooney and Julia Roberts who would be the perfect modern counterparts to this mid-50s film with Grant and Kelly.

The transfer on this DVD is quite good and colors are excellent. Seeing this DVD is like taking a vacation in Monaco :)

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: A Long Wait for Disappointment
Review: I had been waiting a long time for the DVD release of this classic romantic mystery. What I had been most anticipating was viewing the delicious technicolor cinematography which garnered an Academy Award for Robert Burks. What a disappointment! The picture quality is grainy and the colors are somewhat washed out. This I could see on the late, late movie on my local T.V. station. So, if you just want to enjoy the story and the entertaining performances by Grant and Kelly, go ahead and buy it. However, if you were looking forward to the beautiful visuals, save your money.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Finally on DVD!!!
Review: I love Hitchcock, I love Cary Grant and I love Grace Kelly. Guess what -- I love this movie!!!

Yes, it is a fluffier treatment from the "Master of Suspense," but that is exactly the touch this story needed. So for any fans new to style of Alfred Hitchcock -- be warned, this is no Vertigo, Psycho or North by Northwest. The material is light and fast-paced, not overly heavy or intense, as the previous titles, with the exception of North by Northwest.

It is a fun, swiftly paced romantic adventure that displays Hollywood (and the French Riviera) in all its grandeur and glory.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Weep for what might have been!
Review: For filmlovers, there is only one important issue when it comes to discussing a first time DVD reissue of a cinema classic: does it fullfill their hope of seeing the movie with markedly superior visual and audio characteristics. The answer in this case, sadly, is NO! This DVD issue of "To Catch a Thief" has NOT been restored, and is in no better than the washed out VHS version.
This is particularly regretable here, as this lightweight Hitchcock romp (which was awarded an Academy Award for best cinephotography,) relies heavily for its appeal on its breathtaking visuals; ie., the spectacular aerial shots of the famous shorelines of the French Riviera, the opulent costume ball, etc..
My one star rating is for the poor quality of the DVD, not the much-loved film, which represents the highest level of light entertainment.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Hitchcock, Cary, and Grace...A Perfect Combination!
Review: There is so much to like about Alfred Hitchcock's 'To Catch a Thief' that a special DVD edition is a cause for celebration! First, the very premise of Cary Grant as a retired cat burglar enjoying life on the Rivera until a copycat criminal thrusts him back into service (and the oh-so willing arms of Grace Kelly) was so irresistable that it lured Grant, who had retired from film, back to the screen (a very fortunate decision, as he went on to make 'North by Northwest', 'Operation Petticoat', 'Charade', and other memorable films). Second, it reteamed Hitchcock with not only his favorite actor, but also with Kelly, his favorite actress, and the archetype for all the other blonde actresses in his other great films of the 50s and 60s. Third, it was a light-hearted romp, full of beautiful scenery, bawdy double-entendres (At a picnic: "Do you want a leg or a breast?" "You make the choice."), and a plot as light as a French souffle, which was a welcome change for Hitch, after a series of much darker films.

Some of the supporting cast were French, which required some less than successful redubbing of dialogue, but great comic turns were provided by British character actor John Williams, and the redoubtable Jessie Royce Landis, who was so delightful as Kelly's mother that Hitchcock cast her as Cary Grant's mother in 'North by Northwest'! A bit of trivia: Brigitte Auber, who plays the busty, hormonally-charged French girl Kelly icily refers to as a 'child', was, in fact, nearly a year older than her!

Among the extras this very special DVD offers are a 'making-of' featurette, a Remembrance, featuring recollections of Hitchcock's daughter and granddaughter, an instructive look at how the story came to the screen, and a great piece about Hitchcock's favorite costume designer, Edith Head. You definitely get your money's worth!

If you want to lose yourself in a wonderful light romantic adventure, they don't come much better than this! Indulge yourself!


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