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From Amazon.co.uk
This minor 1955 work by Alfred Hitchcock, one of the lighter entries of his creative peak in the 1950s, is still imbued with the master's stock themes of shared guilt and romantic ambivalence. It is also hardly lacking in Hitchcockian cinematic inventiveness, such as a famous, often-imitated sequence in which some smooching between stars Cary Grant and Grace Kelly is intercut with a fireworks show that just happens to be going on outside in a Riviera setting. Grant plays a reformed cat burglar who is suspected of reviving his trade, though he knows someone else is using his old methods. A very enjoyable experience, but don't get this confused with Hitchcock's other Cary Grant film of that decade, a true masterpiece: North by Northwest. --Tom Keogh
Review
To Catch A Thief doesn't tend to be mentioned alongside the greats from director Alfred Hitchcock, but that certainly doesn't mean that there isn't a lot to like about it. Starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, the premise of the film is that a retired thief has to find out who's behind a string of thefts, to stop the blame being placed on him.
It's certainly not the most intense movie that Hitchcock has made, yet To Catch A Thief has a playfulness about it, and is an engrossing piece of work. It's a beautifully made one, too, and that's something that comes across wonderfully well on the Blu-ray's 1080p transfer. The colours are bright and precise, and the sharpness of the picture is very welcome.
The release is bolstered further by a compelling package of extra features, led by a really interesting look at the making of the film. This is backed up further by a collection of inevitably retrospective featurettes, and there's an informative commentary track too.
It's a thoughtful package, and one that explores the slightly underappreciated main feature. Hitchcock certainly made better films that To Catch A Thief, but it's still a superior thriller, to which time has been kind. --Jon Foster
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Alfred Hitchcock made two kinds of movies: bone-chilling thrillers that looked into the dark side of human nature, and witty adventure stories.
"To Catch A Thief" is a sterling example of the latter kind of movie -- a chic, sleek, golden-tinted caper, full of witty dialogue and solid acting from legendary actors. Despite the taut action scenes, Hitchcock makes it feel almost like a cinematic vacation.
Paul Robie (Cary Grant) was "The Cat," the most notorious jewel thief in Europe, before he retired. But now impossible heists -- made in Robie's style -- are popping up all over Cannes, and he's the immediate suspect. Narrowly escaping the police, he enlists a friend to help him clear his name by capturing this new Cat.
To do that, he masquerades as an American tourist, and gets to know pretty oil heiress Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly) and her mother. But when the Stevens jewels are stolen, Frances brings the cops down on Robie -- and now he is more desperate than ever to find the Cat, because he suspects it's an old friend...
Hitchcock was in fine form with "To Catch a Thief," especially since he had two great actors in the mix. Granted this isn't one of his more insightful or suspenseful movies, but it captures a sense of sly wit and fun instead.
If "To Catch A Thief" has a problem, it's that astute viewers will be able to guess who the Cat is after about a half hour, maximum. But fortunately viewers can be distracted by Hitchcock's knack for razor-sharp dialogue ("What do you say?" "My only comment would be highly censorable") and double entendres (during an intimate lunch, Francie asks, "You want a leg or a breast?").... Read more ›
"To Catch A Thief" is a sterling example of the latter kind of movie -- a chic, sleek, golden-tinted caper, full of witty dialogue and solid acting from legendary actors. Despite the taut action scenes, Hitchcock makes it feel almost like a cinematic vacation.
Paul Robie (Cary Grant) was "The Cat," the most notorious jewel thief in Europe, before he retired. But now impossible heists -- made in Robie's style -- are popping up all over Cannes, and he's the immediate suspect. Narrowly escaping the police, he enlists a friend to help him clear his name by capturing this new Cat.
To do that, he masquerades as an American tourist, and gets to know pretty oil heiress Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly) and her mother. But when the Stevens jewels are stolen, Frances brings the cops down on Robie -- and now he is more desperate than ever to find the Cat, because he suspects it's an old friend...
Hitchcock was in fine form with "To Catch a Thief," especially since he had two great actors in the mix. Granted this isn't one of his more insightful or suspenseful movies, but it captures a sense of sly wit and fun instead.
If "To Catch A Thief" has a problem, it's that astute viewers will be able to guess who the Cat is after about a half hour, maximum. But fortunately viewers can be distracted by Hitchcock's knack for razor-sharp dialogue ("What do you say?" "My only comment would be highly censorable") and double entendres (during an intimate lunch, Francie asks, "You want a leg or a breast?").... Read more ›
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have just received this blu ray and felt compelled to write a quick review, not of the movie this has already been covered but of the blu ray product itself....I am not sure where some of the reviewers on here get their information but I can confirm that the UK edition has all 11 of the extras listed by Amazon.
I nearly cancelled this to buy the US version as I wanted the extras, I am so glad I did not.
Believe me you do not need to purchase the US version as this has it all.
The picture quality is as excellent as expected, if you love this movie do yourself a favour and buy this you will not be dissapointed.
I nearly cancelled this to buy the US version as I wanted the extras, I am so glad I did not.
Believe me you do not need to purchase the US version as this has it all.
The picture quality is as excellent as expected, if you love this movie do yourself a favour and buy this you will not be dissapointed.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
This has to be one of my all-time favourite films. Hitchcock was at his best shooting a witty scrip, full of action, suspense and sexual innuendos. Cary Grant protraits a reform jewel thief wrongly accused of theft who sets to prove his innocence. Grace Kelly is set on getting him. Shot partially on location in the french riviera, it still stands today as a great comedy.
The DVD edition of the film is actually quite good. For the first time you can see the film in widescreen, allowing you to actually see the Hitchcock cameo. The extras are good enough and include a making of and a couple of smaller featurettes. The film has subtitles in 24 different languages and several of these (if not all) are also available in extras. This is a great DVD edition of a classic film.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It would be fair to say that this is somewhat mediocre by Hitchcock standards, but the fact is mediocre for him is still a class act by anyone else's yardstick.
Cary Grant plays an ex cat burglar, who is accused of a string of jewel robberies in the French Riviera where he has retired. He decides to catch the thief in order to clear his own name, and latches onto the next likely victim, a wealthy American and her daughter - Grace Kelly.
For a Hitchcock movie, there are not so many surprises - you can see the ending coming long before it arrives, and the set pieces are not as spectacular as usual.. the thief catching is really just the Maguffin needed to capture some sparkling interplay between the charismatic Grant and the luminous Grace Kelly. It is the word play and even sexual tension that keep the film a favourite. The innuendo in the scene where Grace Kelly is urging Cary Grant to reach out and stroke and caress her...err... diamonds.. is superb, albeit a little undone by the over the top splicing with the fireworks outside - as amusing as that idea is.
Grant plays the charismatic and lithe ex burglar known as `the cat' in typical Grant mode, and Kelly is take-your-breath-away stunning in her Edith head costumes - as movie-star like as it is possible to be.
Some aspects seem dated - the back projection driving scenes, the studio bound house and water scenes.. however, Cannes and Nice are up there on display, making the Riviera as much a character as the stars, and the photography, as always in Hitch's movies, is gorgeous and richly coloured.... Read more ›
Cary Grant plays an ex cat burglar, who is accused of a string of jewel robberies in the French Riviera where he has retired. He decides to catch the thief in order to clear his own name, and latches onto the next likely victim, a wealthy American and her daughter - Grace Kelly.
For a Hitchcock movie, there are not so many surprises - you can see the ending coming long before it arrives, and the set pieces are not as spectacular as usual.. the thief catching is really just the Maguffin needed to capture some sparkling interplay between the charismatic Grant and the luminous Grace Kelly. It is the word play and even sexual tension that keep the film a favourite. The innuendo in the scene where Grace Kelly is urging Cary Grant to reach out and stroke and caress her...err... diamonds.. is superb, albeit a little undone by the over the top splicing with the fireworks outside - as amusing as that idea is.
Grant plays the charismatic and lithe ex burglar known as `the cat' in typical Grant mode, and Kelly is take-your-breath-away stunning in her Edith head costumes - as movie-star like as it is possible to be.
Some aspects seem dated - the back projection driving scenes, the studio bound house and water scenes.. however, Cannes and Nice are up there on display, making the Riviera as much a character as the stars, and the photography, as always in Hitch's movies, is gorgeous and richly coloured.... Read more ›
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Dennis Littrell
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:VHS Tape
This is probably Hitchcock's most beautiful movie. Grace Kelly is well (but of course decorously) displayed in delicate and perfectly fitted summer dresses and evening gowns (designed by Edith Head) that show off her exquisite arms and shoulders while accentuating her elegant neck and jaw line--and, as she turns for the camera, the graceful line of her back. Opposite her is one of Hollywood's most dashing leading men, the incomparable Cary Grant.
The cinematography by long-time Hitchcock collaborator Robert Burks was shot on location in the French Riviera. The style is daylight clear and sparkling, bright as the dream of a princess to be, always focused without a hint of darkness anywhere. Even the scenes shot at night on the rooftops seem to glow. The houses on the hills overlooking Princess Grace's future home and the narrow cobble stone roads with the low-lying stone walls suggest a refined and elegant lifestyle to come. Even though she drives too fast, one is not worried that she might crash...
Cary Grant is John Robie who fought with the French resistence during WWII and then became a jewel thief, dubbed "The Cat" for his ability to slink quietly in the night over roof tops and to steal into the bedrooms of the rich and take their jewels without waking them. As the movie opens he is retired from his life of crime and living comfortably in a villa in the hills above Nice. The complications begin immediately as the police arrive at his villa to question him about some recent cat-like jewel robberies. Robie is innocent of course (we are led to believe) and to prove his innocence he is motivated to find the real thief.
Grace Kelly plays Frances Stevens, the slightly naughty nouveau riche daughter of the widow of a Texas-style oil millionaire.
... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Blu-ray
This blu-ray boasts a picture quality which I hardly find anywhere else in my quite comprehensive collection including all new movies. Read more
Published 9 days ago by H.C.M.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Film is fine - DVD transfer is awful
I cannot believe that the distribution company allowed this DVD out with the appalling quality transfer that it is. It may look okay on a 14" portable, but on a big screen ... Read more
Published 11 days ago by Serious Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars
great movie
Alfred Hitchcock's great movie and need not any introduction . It is an all time example of classics that should never be missed.
Published 12 days ago by Bashar Al-Gailani
5.0 out of 5 stars
an oldy and a goody
A perfect Sunday afternoon film with the suave Mr grant and the beautiful miss grace Kelly. Just add wine and a box of chocolates and snuggle down on the sofa to enjoy
Published 18 days ago by JJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply The Best
I was horrified to hear that there might be a remake in the offing, this is one of the all time great crime capers, it is timeless The quality is great, the movie is great, the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Surfer Nomad
5.0 out of 5 stars
Catch a Thief
Wanted three DVD's to go with North by Northwest for my husbands birthday and this was went well with it
Published 1 month ago by scatty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bluray review
The dvd of this title was pretty pathetic-----it's a great movie----Hitchcock really delivered here and the Bluray delivers as well. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bill Marsh
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not one of Hitchcock's better movies
Hitchcock made some great films but this isn't one of them. The plot (such as it is) is paper thin and not particularly riveting. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mike Heron
5.0 out of 5 stars
To Catch A Thief [DVD] [1955]
I love this movie with its car chase down the tricky twists and turns down the spectacular cliffside of the village of Eze, between Nice and Monaco as well as some shots of Nice's... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bow Wow
4.0 out of 5 stars
To Catch A Thief
This film may not be one of Hitchcock`s greatest known thrillers but it is defiantly worth owning in blu ray with some spectacular scenes on the french Riviera
Published 5 months ago by Sam Hawkins
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