Tools for this page
Print

Rear Window (1954)

(1954, Rated PG, Thriller, Starring Grace Kelly, James Stewart, Gerard Butler)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Hitchcock masterpiece stars peeping Jimmy Stewart.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    There is the notion of the "peeping Tom" inherent in the hero's behavior here. Even though his violating his neighbors' privacy cracks a murder case, does that excuse his scrutiny of them all the time? If it were an edgier actor besides James Stewart, usually cast as an embodiment of boyish decency, this character would be a little creepy.
  • Violence:

    A minor scuffle. Some discussion of dismemberment and murder, including a small dog killed offscreen.
  • Sex:

    Though it's kept within the Hollywood censorship code, most of the people Jeff spies on are interesting because of their romantic lives (or lack of them). One of a newlywed couple, who (it's strongly hinted) are having sex constantly and -- for the husband -- exhaustively. Another target is a sexy ballerina often watched doing her exercises.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Some covers of well-known mid-century magazines shown.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Smoking is especially conspicuous.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Rear Window (1954)

Parents need to know that the theme of this classic, besides a neat little murder mystery, is voyeurism -- spying on peoples' private lives, customarily without their knowledge. Alfred Hitchcock depicted this tastefully, within the restrictions of the old Hollywood studio censorship code (unlike later R-rated movies like Sliver, Blue Velvet, or Hollow Man, in which guys watching in secret got the full eyeful of sex, nudity, and explicit perversion), and in some Canadian territories this got a "G" rating. Still, the viewer is made to take the POV of a character who likes to watch things he's not supposed to see. While suspenseful, the plotline is necessarily low on action (unlike other Hitchcock masterworks like North By Northwest and The Birds), but a pet dog is killed offscreen. You might tell kids this was the direct inspiration for the 2007 teen-bait thriller Disturbia.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the alienation of urban life, about people living on top of one another in high-rises, yet remaining strangers. Jeff and his motivations are a big part of this movie's intrigue. As a photographer, he has to compose images for a living. When his broken leg means he can't do his job, can he be excused for continuing to habitually watch ordinary people? How do TV, Web sites, video blogs, and especially reality TV add to the movie's theme about the ethics of scrutinizing real people for entertainment?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Rear Window (1954)?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    GO ALFRED

    YOU ROCK I KNOW YR DEAD BUT YOU STILL ROCK AND I LOVE YOUR MOVIES AND THIS IS ONE OF YR BEST YET YOU RULE (THROWS CONFETTI FOR ALFRED HITCHCOCK)THE SUSPENSE IN THIS MOVIE WAS GREAT THE ACTORS ARE AWESOME TOO (GRACE KELLY!)THIS MOVIE RRRRRROCKS

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    Alfred Hitchcock does it again!

    Rear Window is my new favorite movie! I was literally on the edge of my seat watching this. But not for kids- all the suspense. Plus a little dog is strangled which I thought was so sad.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0

    Besides Notorious, this is my favorite Hitchcock film.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    The greatest psychological thriller of all time!

    This film is another famous Hitchcock thriller, but this time it is psychological! This movie is brilliant from beginning to end and all is mild in this film with G language, mild discussion of the murder, and the murderer attempts to subdue Jimmy Stewart but fails. Over all this should be ratede G and for 10 and up.

  5. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    A Thrilling and Old-Fashoined Thriller!

    If your kids want to see a cool thriller, but you are cautious around big-budget slasher flicks, rent this from Blockbuster and watch it together on a Friday night. Everyone will enjoy themselves, and you won't have to worry about what they're seeing, as this film has little sex, language, and no violence. Language consists of some "hells" and few "d**n"s. There is some playful sexual innuendo between Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly (it isn't exactly beating around the bush, but it isn't vulgar at all) that runs along the lines of her spending the night and there only being one bed. A beautiful ballerina exercises in her underwear, and a man attempts to force himself on an unnamed girl (it appears to be more of an embrace gone too far than an attempted rape).

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    One of the best movies of all time!

    Rear window is an absolute masterpiece. The story is well written and the characters well acted and believeable. While the movie shows no sex or violence on-screen, the overall theme is quite mature. There are several very tense scenes including one where a woman attemps suicide. The main character spies on his very attractive neighbor as she dances about in her underwear. The ethics of the story are also questionable. Sure the man solved a murder, but should we really be peeking into other people's personal lives? Best for teens and up. Many younger kids will be either scared or bored.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This is a masterpiece, and my favorite film of all time. It's a rare type of film that manages to be unbearably suspenseful and fascinating using a minimum of sex and violence, which is quite refreshing. It's an absolutely amazing movie that perfectly blends thrills, romance, and even touches of comedy...a must-see. Good for kids 10+

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

  • Tech Tip

    Learn the basics with our latest video.How to Text

    Learn the basics with our latest video.

  • Must See TV

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Zany adventures are low on depth but high on imagination.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Download This

    "Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

    "Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

    "Acccchhhoooo!" A funny reminder to help kids fight the flu.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name