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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Paramount
Salesrank: 59299
Released: June 10, 2003 |
| Our Price: $8.19 |
| Used Price: $6.99 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Escaped criminals hold a family hostage.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 12-DEC-2003
Media Type: DVD
Description of The Desperate Hours:
Humphrey Bogart is at his villainous best in William Wyler's taut home-invasion thriller, The Desperate Hours. Sharply adapted by John Hayes from his own fact-based novel and Broadway play, this marked a slight departure for Wyler, whose celebrated versatility is on ready display as Bogart--leading a panicky trio of escaped convicts--seizes control of a suburban family in the (dis)comfort of their own home. The domestic terror (similarly dramatized in the 1954 potboiler Suddenly) escalates as cautious patriarch Frederic March waits for an opportunity to retaliate, while the police (led by Arthur Kennedy) close in for an ambush. Viewers may recognize the home's exterior from TV's Leave It to Beaver, while its interior gives Wyler a sealed chamber for nail-biting advances and setbacks--and Bogey was rarely better at portraying ruthless, unpredictable menace. Poorly remade in 1990, The Desperate Hours remains a potent precursor to the many similar films (like Panic Room) that followed its enduring example. --Jeff Shannon
The Desperate Hours Reviews:
Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March 
2009-01-23 - In THE DESPERATE HOURS, Humphrey Bogart, returned to his signature bad guy roles after years of playing the world weary hero. Fredric March co-starred in this classic thriller, directed by William Wyler and based on a true story, which, in turn, was adapted into a hit stage play by Joseph Hayes.
March plays the head of a happy suburban family whose household is invaded by by three vicious escaped convicts, led by Bogart.
True, this kind of hostage drama is familiar television fare these days, but this 1955 film is still the best of them all. The movie holds up remarkably well, and the cast, which includes Arthur Kennedy, Martha Scott, Dewey Martin, Robert Middleton and Gig Young, is superb.
© Michael B. Druxman
"Bogie-licious"
2008-09-09 - This "edge of your seat" suspense drama is Bogie at his best. I have seen it many times and can always watch it again. Bogie can do evil so well--an evil that you cannot ever completely hate, you always feel a tiny sympathy for his misdirected malcontent as an evil character. The original "suicide by cop" film. Time has shown what a truly terrific actor Humphry Bogart was. We miss you Mr. Bogart.
Tense
2008-03-22 - A tense film that follows a home invasion and hostage situation. It might be a little dated for some younger watchers, still it has fine performances from Bogart and Fredric March.
Enjoyable suspernser
2007-10-15 - This is a very well done, suspenseful film. Bogart and March are excellent in the leads. What is especially fascinating is that, even though Paramount was the studio, the exteriors of the film were filmed on the Universal lot, and one can clearly see the Hillard's home as the same as the one in Leave it to Beaver. Lots of shots of the Universal lot where Desperate Housewives is filmed now, more than 50 years later.
Tension from start to finish!
2007-04-28 - What a pair: Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March face to face as mortal enemies. Good vs. evil. We know who will win but we don't know how. The excellent twists and turns keep us forever surprised. Spencer Tracy originally declined the role opposite Bogart because he refused second billing.
All acting is superb, though a bit of overkill with the 2 hysterical women captors. The child actor is a marvelous spunky character who never rose to deserved fame as did other kid actors.
As one reviewer wrote, What indeed would we do in this same situation, where Bogart & his 2 prison cronies hold a suburban family hostage. Fredric March, with his "clickety-clickety" mind, as Bogey calls it, is constantly trying to outwit the brutal escaped convicts once they escape from their jail like uncaged lions.
This is actually a great family action film where true loyal family values dominate, unlke today, and the starring family actually sits down for meals together and lovingly communicate with one another.
As a point of interest, the story is loosely based on the eponymous novel. The original story was covered in Time Magazine. The family held hostage sued Time - apparently there was never a settlement - but the lawyer representing the family was none other than Richard Nixon, an attorney in private practice between campaigns.
