Alfred Hitchcock & James Stewart have collaborated several times across their respective careers, providing a wide selection of inventive and revolutionary thrillers that still maintain their popularity several decades later. Hitchcock was renowned for the keen attention to detail that he displayed in every project, forging complex characters and unpredictable stories that kept viewers on their toes. But it was Stewart that actually brought several of Hitchcock’s protagonists to life, perfectly understanding the unique style and atmosphere of the director’s works. His signature charm and charisma were invaluable to several of Hitchcock’s greatest stories, and those roles simply couldn’t have worked without him.
Alfred Hitchcock’s movies are incredibly rewatchable and entertaining thanks to his simple stories and fascinating characters. Despite their many twists and turns, Hitchcock’s movies were never difficult to follow - every aspect of the story had a purpose, and he always made that clear with his sharp writing and astute direction. His characters were always layered and complex, with their uncertain motivations and clouded backstories often driving much of the narrative’s plot. Stewart was great at capturing this, providing just the right about of mystery and vulnerability to make a compelling protagonist.
4 The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Despite sitting among Hitchcock’s lesser-known projects, The Man Who Knew Too Much is a perfect example of how the director was able to turn a simple premise into a fascinating, thrilling adventure. It’s actually a remake of Hitchcock’s hugely underrated movie of the same name, which tells the story of a group of killers who conspire to take down the witnesses of their latest crime. Stewart plays protagonist Benjamin McKenna, a holidaying American who finds himself caught in the crossfire of this complex conspiracy. He expertly grounds this far-fetched narrative in reality with a relatable performance that makes it easier to trust his character.
The Man Who Knew Too Much sits at 87% on Hitchcock remaking The Man Who Knew Too Much was a great decision (both critically and commercially), but there’s just a lack of ambition that holds it back from rivaling his other collaborations with Stewart.
3 Rope (1948)
Rope marked the first on-screen partnership between Hitchcock and Stewart, telling the story of two young men who commit a murder and then attempt to hide the evidence from the guests of their dinner party. Stewart plays Rupert Cadell, the dinner guest who eventually busts his friends’ crimes and discovers what they’ve done. It’s one of the actor’s most impressive performances, using a wide range of emotions to convey the unconventional relationship between these three men. The film is also famous for Hitchcock’s experimental use of the one-shot, which gives this story an incredibly tense atmosphere to match its unsettling narrative.
Stewart plays one of Hitchcock’s most intelligent characters, navigating this mystery in a way that allows the viewer to play the game alongside him. It was revolutionary for its time, and despite only grossing $10,000 worldwide (via Box Office Mojo), Rope had an immeasurable influence over the cinematic medium. It has quickly become the go-to example of how to effectively build tension and apprehension within the genre, which led to several critics citing it as Hitchcock’s most important movie. The film sits at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, proving just how strongly those same critics feel about this inventive project.
2 Rear Window (1954)
Starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly as two happenstance witnesses of a brutal murder, Rear Window is among the most critically-acclaimed thrillers ever made. From the layered narrative to the revolutionary filmmaking, everything about the movie was massively influential and can still be seen consistently in modern thrillers. Rear Window was a formative neo-noir that helped Hitchcock develop his reputation as the master of suspense. Stewart plays an injured photographer named L.B. Jefferies, whose pathological curiosity suddenly makes him the sole witness of a deadly crime that took place in the building opposite his apartment.
Rear Window is widely considered Hitchcock’s most inventive and creative project ever, as he uses several new filmmaking techniques and perspectives to bring this story to life in a way that had never previously been done. With 98% on Rear Window is considered among the best murder mysteries ever made, proving that Hitchcock and Stewart can’t be topped.
1 Vertigo (1958)
Vertigo was the final collaboration between Hitchcock and Stewart, but the pair definitely sent their professional relationship out on a high. The film chronicles Detective John “Scottie” Ferguson’s growing obsession with his friend’s wife, whose strange behavior finds her the prime suspect in a mysterious investigation. Vertigo tells an extremely complex and precise narrative with interweaving subplots and many unpredictable twists that are compelling from start to finish. Stewart’s turn as Detective Scottie was arguably the best of his career, offering a disturbing insight into human psychology and exploring these dark ideas on-screen.
Vertigo still holds up perfectly today thanks to the movie’s timeless narrative and hugely advanced filmmaking techniques, which cemented Hitchcock as the most talented director of his generation. He was constantly pushing the limitations of the medium, reinventing the genre with every new movie he released. Vertigo is even more beloved than most, holding 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and coming in 2nd place on Sight and Sound’s Greatest Films of All Time list in 2022 (via BFI). Several beloved filmmakers and industry veterans have cited Vertigo as their greatest cinematic influence, proving just how important and crucial this Alfred Hitchcock & James Stewart collaboration was for the progression of cinema.
