The Desperate Hours |  | Director: William Wyler
Actors: Humphrey Bogart, Fredric March, Arthur Kennedy, Martha Scott, Dewey Martin
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $8.99
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Seller: previously-enjoyed
Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 22725
Format: Anamorphic, Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: PARD055094D
ISBN: 0792187083
UPC: 097360550948
EAN: 9780792187080
ASIN: B00008Z44E
Theatrical Release Date: 1955
Release Date: June 10, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Escaped criminals hold a family hostage.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 12-DEC-2003
Media Type: DVD
Amazon.com
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
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 28
 One of my favs December 7, 2009
E. Minnich
Boy, am I going to disappoint that person who rated this one only one star. . . Sure, to some Bogart is simply "playing himself" vs getting deeper into character. Me, I kinda like it both ways, still I'm not gonna complain. For some, watching Bogart "play Bogart" is part of the charm/appeal of a film. Contrived plot? Sure, ok. I saw part of the 1990 remake "Desperate Hours" with Mickey Rourke and Anthony Hopkins. I'll take Bogart and Fredric March squaring off over those two.
Can Humphrey Bogart get any better?! December 2, 2009
Molly Young
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have to say, I'm not usually a fan of old films, but my friend introduced me to this one and I am hooked! This film is about 3 escaped convicts and the exciting sequence of events that take place while hiding in a family's house. Mr. Bogart is legendary and now I can see why!
Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March January 23, 2009
Michael B. Druxman (Austin, TX)
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" September 9, 2008
Phoebe Stogstill (by the shores of Gitchee Goomie)
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 March 22, 2008
Alan Talbott
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.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 28
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