Rear Window (1954)

Alfred Hitchcock's masterful thriller stars James Stewart as news photographer LB 'Jeff' Jeffries, confined to a wheelchair in his New York apartment after breaking his leg. Bored in his convalescence, he takes to watching his neighbours across the courtyard. Through his increasingly unhealthy fascination with observing his neighbours he becomes convinced that one of his subjects, Lars, has murdered his wife. But Jeff is unable to convince either his fiancé Lisa or a detective friend, leading the couple into life-threatening danger - and a suspenseful climax - as Jeff becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. A sense of intimacy and voyeurism, and of mini-dramas being played out in each apartment, is enhanced by Hitchcock's decision to shoot the entire film on one set. Though On the Waterfront dominated the year's Oscars the film has justifiably garnered its reputation as a classic for both cineastes and wider audiences.