Alfred Hitchcock's aptly named MURDER! is a British suspense-mystery about a jurist who believes in the innocence of a young woman accused of murder and sets out to prove his theory. Well photographed and characterized by quick cutting and sharp dialogue, MURDER is one of Hitchcock's rare whodunits. Based on a novel by Clemence Dane and sporting several references to HAMLET and an interior monologue, the film is a groundbreaking adaptation of a novel into an early talkie. It also features Herbert Marshall's first speaking part.

This early Alfred Hitchcock suspense-thriller features one of the filmmaker's favorite subjects--a wrongly accused murder suspect. Although famous actor Sir John (Herbert Marshall) believes young actress Diana Baring (Norah Baring) can't be responsible for murdering a young woman from her performing troupe, he votes guilty with his fellow jurors. However, his conscience forces him to become an amateur sleuth and set out to find the real killer. Sir John eventually figures out who actually murdered the woman, and he sets out to create a trap for the guilty party in the film's suspenseful climax. MURDER! was adapted from the novel ENTER SIR JOHN! By Clemence Dane.


This early Alfred Hitchcock suspense-thriller features one of the filmmaker's favorite subjects -- a wrongly-accused murder suspect.
Although Sir John believes young actress Diana Baring can't be responsible for murdering a young woman from her performing troupe, he votes guilty with his fellow jurors. However, his conscience forces him to become an amateur sleuth and set out to find the real killer.
Sir John eventually figures out who actually murdered the woman and he creates a trap for the guilty party in the film's suspenseful climax.

Theatrical release: August 1930.

Hitch onscreen: Hitchcock appears as a pedestrian passing along the street.

To increase ticket sales in Europe, Hitchcock was asked to film a second version in Germany.

Since "dubbing" of additional sound was not technically possible, one scene of Sir John thinking out loud was filmed with a live orchestra playing behind the mirror.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono 1.0 - English
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Bonus Clip - ROPE
Introduction: Tony Curtis
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access

Herbert Marshall: British Actor/In USA & UK
Nora Baring: 
Phyllis Constam: 
Edward Chapman: British Actor
Donald Calthrop: British Actor
Esme Percy: British Actor
Esme Chaplin: 

Alfred Hitchcock: Director/screenwriter/producer, VERTIGO, THE BIRDS, PSYCHO

John Maxwell: Actor

Alma Reville: Screenwriter

John Reynders: Music Conductor

Emile De Ruelle: 
Rene Harrison: