Rating: 
Summary: Great for Bogart fans
Review: Now this is a great flick. No one played the hard-edged bad guy like Bogie. This flick is old schol, meaning the story depends on the acting and not special effects or overused violence. Bogart, his brother, and a simple minded convict escape prison and hold up in a suberbian 'Beaver-Cleaver' household. They have to hideout there until Bogie gets some dough from his girlfriend. The confrontations between the family and the convicts keep this movie going fluently without a break in drama, suspense, or action. If you've only seen Casablanca or the Maltese Falcon, rent or buy this flick if you like or are interested in Humphrey Bogart.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, great price, weak audio sound
Review: Overall, the movie is very enjoyable and has typical Bogie characteristics; picture is very sharp but audio could have been better. Audio was very clear provided you dramatically increase the volume on the TV. Recommended for all Bogart fans!
Rating:
Summary: Top-drawer thriller from Hollywood's 'golden age'
Review: THE DESPERATE HOURS (USA 1955): The patriarch of a middle-class suburban family (Fredric March) is forced to take action when they're held hostage in their own home by three escaped convicts, one of whom (Humphrey Bogart) is an experienced lifer with nothing to lose... The first and only pairing of superstars Bogart and March is a tightly-wound thriller, written by Joseph Hayes (based on his novel and stageplay, inspired by actual events), and directed by Hollywood veteran William Wyler, distancing himself from the 'women's pictures' he had helped to popularize during the 1940's (THE LITTLE FOXES, MRS. MINIVER, THE HEIRESS etc.). Photographed in gleaming deep-focus VistaVision by Lee Garmes (SCARFACE, THE PARADINE CASE), the movie wrings incredible tension from the claustrophobic settings and frequent stand-offs between staunch family man March and embittered con Bogart. The movie's themes are fairly conservative and the outcome is never really in doubt, but this is a top-drawer thriller from Hollywood's 'golden age'. Also starring Arthur Kennedy, Martha Scott, Dewey Martin and Gig Young in crucial supporting roles. Unmissable. The movie runs 112m 25s on Paramount's region 1 DVD, and the image is letterboxed at approx. 1.85:1 (anamorphically enhanced), the recommended aspect ratio of most VistaVision movies. The beautiful black and white photography is supported by a strong Dolby 2.0 mono soundtrack, and the disc contains English captions and subtitles. There are no extras, not even a trailer. NB. Though nowhere near as dreadful as most critics would have you believe, Michael Cimino's remake DESPERATE HOURS (1990) isn't a patch on the original.
Rating:
Summary: Top-drawer thriller from Hollywood's 'golden age'
Review: THE DESPERATE HOURS (USA 1955): The patriarch of a middle-class suburban family (Fredric March) is forced to take action when they're held hostage in their own home by three escaped convicts, one of whom (Humphrey Bogart) is an experienced lifer with nothing to lose... The first and only pairing of superstars Bogart and March is a tightly-wound thriller, written by Joseph Hayes (based on his novel and stageplay, inspired by actual events), and directed by Hollywood veteran William Wyler, distancing himself from the 'women's pictures' he had helped to popularize during the 1940's (THE LITTLE FOXES, MRS. MINIVER, THE HEIRESS etc.). Photographed in gleaming deep-focus VistaVision by Lee Garmes (SCARFACE, THE PARADINE CASE), the movie wrings incredible tension from the claustrophobic settings and frequent stand-offs between staunch family man March and embittered con Bogart. The movie's themes are fairly conservative and the outcome is never really in doubt, but this is a top-drawer thriller from Hollywood's 'golden age'. Also starring Arthur Kennedy, Martha Scott, Dewey Martin and Gig Young in crucial supporting roles. Unmissable. The movie runs 112m 25s on Paramount's region 1 DVD, and the image is letterboxed at approx. 1.85:1 (anamorphically enhanced), the recommended aspect ratio of most VistaVision movies. The beautiful black and white photography is supported by a strong Dolby 2.0 mono soundtrack, and the disc contains English captions and subtitles. There are no extras, not even a trailer. NB. Though nowhere near as dreadful as most critics would have you believe, Michael Cimino's remake DESPERATE HOURS (1990) isn't a patch on the original.
Rating:
Summary: A Family's Living Nightmare
Review: The Desperate Hours is a very suspenseful tale of a family that is held hostage in their own home by three escaped convicts. The story is fascinating to watch because they must adapt to having these strangers in their home, and in some cases, they most go on about their lives and go out in public without telling anyone what is happening at home. It seems unrealistic that it could happen that way, but it makes sense in the movie. As usual, director William Wyler gets top performances from his cast. Fredric March is terrific as the father who feels frustrated and helpless that he is unable to free his family from the terrorizing of the convicts. Martha Scott does well as his wife. Humphrey Bogart, as the leader of the convicts, gives the good performance that you expect from him, and the rest of the cast is good, too. (If I'm not mistaken, the actor playing Kobish, one of the convicts, went on to be the voice of Fred Flintstone.) The Desperate Hours presents a story that will keep you in suspense, and it shows how people can find the courage to protect those they love.
Rating:
Summary: Not Great, But Very Good Bogart
Review: The original version of "The Desperate Hours," while not a great film, is far superior than the lackluster 1991 remake. Bogart, his brother and another convict have escaped from prison. They find a nice house in a nice neighborhood and decide to drop in for a visit. Holding the four family members hostage until Bogart's girlfriend arrives is not as easy as they first figured. Some very good moments, especially between Bogart and Fredric March. This film really had me going when I saw it for the first time as a kid and it still delivers!
Rating:
Summary: Forgotten Greatness
Review: this film, like many other great classics, been forgotten or so it seems. i have always cherished this little gem. it was directed by William Wyler, a man whose name is synonymous with great filmmaking. though this film may pale in comparison to the epic "Ben Hur" it should by no means be disregarded. the basic premise is a band of criminals "on the lam" from the police decide to converge upon a midwestern family and use their home as a refuge from the authorities. Humphrey Bogart gives one of the best performances of his career, reviving the old gangster type roles which propelled him to stardom in the 1930s. to divulge any of the plot elements would be unfair to anyone considering the viewing or purchase of this great little gem of a film. it seizes your attention from the beginning with its ominous score to the last riveting scene and never lets go. as for the DVD, the picture clarity is amazingly sharp and the sound is good too. as for the special features, there are none. this was very disappointing. this one really deserved the special treatment. in spite of its lack of special features, the clarity and sound are enough to warrant a closer look at this wonderful little film.
Rating:
Summary: One of the great ones
Review: Two veterans, Bogart and March, put on an acting clinic under another veteran's direction (William Wyler) and it couldn't be more fun to watch.
Rating:
Summary: When movies were lean and mean...
Review: We need more characters like "Cobish". This character that added the perfect counter to Bogart's lean, mean role. Stay with me now, I draw a parallel to characters like Jean Stapleton's Edith Bunker to say that actors that portray awkward, goofy characters do not get the critical praise for the acting skill it takes. (Although I believe Stapleton did get Emmy Award recognition). I saw Desperate Hours while in College in the late 70's. We were all going around doing Cobish imitations, just his presence made
Rating:
Summary: SUPERB THRILLER
Review: William Wyler directs Humphrey Bogart in the super tense thriller THE DESPERATE HOURS. Three on the lam thugs invade a heartland American home and hold a family hostage. Everyone seeks survival and an ordinary dad (Frederick March) puts his life on the line for his family. Bogie at his very best as a snarling, deadly con. Heartstopping showdown. Unforgettable climax. You'll hold your breath and bite your nails. This is one to own. See what great filmmaking and storytelling is all about. Don't confuse this with the pallid 1990 remake starring Mickey Rourke, directed by Michael Cimino.
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